Madehurst circular

By Eddie Start

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Beginning in Fairmile Bottom, beside the A29 road between Fontwell and Whiteways Lodge, this walk follows footpaths and bridleways across isolated downland, passing around the small community of Madehurst and visiting the remote farm at Gumber.

There are wide bridleways and well-defined footpaths which lead to the final stretch through Houghton Forest.

1. From the lay-by adjacent to the Fairmile Nature Reserve, cross the road and take the first few descending steps of the bridleway to a path junction in 100 yards.

Cross a stile and continue on the signed footpath, dropping to a lower level and then beginning a climb over a couple of fields, crossing intermediate stiles, towards the houses of Madehurst on the skyline.

Cross a stile and walk ahead on the access drive, beside the flint-faced cottages on the left, to arrive at a minor road.

Continue down the road, going slightly to the right, and in 100 yards take a left footpath into the drive which leads to New Barn Farm. The drive descends to a path junction, with the farm buildings to the right.

Continue on the rising drive, half-left, as it climbs to the treeline. There are three, fine specimens of Cedars of Lebanon trees in the field on the right. The path enters the woodland and continues to climb, passing Keepers’ Cottage on the right in 250 yards.

2. In 30 yards, take the signed left turn along the tree-bordered path. Where the metalled drive goes to the right, continue ahead on the signed footpath.

On leaving the woods the path drops to a stile and marker post, right, and descends to an open meadow, then climbs in a rightward curve to a plateau-like clearing between trees.

Cross to the left corner – do not take the stile on the left but walk to the next descending field.

In a few paces, pass through a gap in the fence on the left and turn right on the path which drops to stiles and climbs out on the other side.

The path levels off, passing a dilapidated wagon on the left, and arrives at a four-way bridleway junction and stile.

Cross the stile, walk on for a few paces and take the second, signed bridleway on the right.

In 250 yards, climb the grassy bank, follow the rising footpath for 450 yards, with Great Down on the right, to a path junction and then take the left branch (yellow arrow).

The footpath enters woodland descending to a forest track with the restored, flint Warren Barn to the right.

This barn is typical of many across the Downs and is an example of how materials from the surrounding countryside were used in construction.

The defining points of the structure, the doors, arches, corners and intermediate piers are constructed of locally-sourced bricks, but the flints which make up the main material of the building are from the surrounding downland.

3. Continue on the rising path which takes a half-right direction from the junction, walk north-west on the broad bridleway and, in half a mile, arrive at the gate leading to Gumber Farm.

The farm sits on the bank ahead and is a further example of downland flint buildings.

Gumber Farm, part of the National Trust estate, has a bothy which provides overnight shelter for downland walkers, particularly those trekking the nearby South Downs Way.

The area around the farm was also the site of a dummy airfield during the Second World War, used to divert attacking aircraft from the surrounding fighter stations such as Tangmere and Ford.

It is worth taking a few moments to inspect the farm and bothy buildings and note the commemorative plaque to Hilaire Belloc who exalted his readers to "lift up your hearts in Gumber".

Belloc’s family lived at nearby Slindon and the writer, poet, Member of Parliament, restorer of Shipley mill and ambassador for Sussex was clearly entranced with this isolated settlement.

4. Turn right across the front of the farm cottages and climb the slope. Pass a stile on the left and in a few paces go through a bridle gate, close to the top, left corner of the field.

Follow the bridleway as it climbs through the trees, coming to open country and turning to the right.

Do not take the bridle gate on the left but continue round to the right and drop to a bridleway junction.

Follow the rising track as it climbs the slope and, on coming to the wooded area in 50 yards, follow the path ahead, do not take the left turn.

The bridleway follows a twisting route through the trees for 300 yards, where it is then joined by a path from the left.

Follow the right-hand track to a forked junction and marker post. Take the left fork and in 50 yards turn left on the signed bridleway (blue arrow), coming to a short section of open meadow.

Cross the meadow, take a few paces right and then turn left to descend steeply through Stammers Wood.

The track enters a clearing, with two prominent fir trees to the left, climbs and then drops to a wide, four-way bridleway crossing.

Carry on ahead, climbing again and coming to a sweeping meadow which drops away to the right.

Walk on towards Trot Row. Enter the trees, veering right for 150 yards, then half-left, before coming to a sharp left turn which leads to the track shown on the map as The Denture.

5. Turn right for 250 yards and at a fork take the right option. The bridleway continues for nearly a mile, descending to cross a minor road, and continuing for a further 300 yards climbing through woods and turning right.

The final half-mile of the walk runs parallel to the road to arrive back at the path junction which was encountered at the start.

Turn left to climb back to the lay-by and our starting point.