1 - From the village centre in Angmering, leave the grass triangle beside local shops, heading north up Arundel Road, passing between the village church of St Margaret and the flint-faced library.

Keep to the pavement and in a further 250 yards, turn left on to a signed public footpath, passing a small cemetery. With a gated entrance to a recreation ground ahead, turn right and in a few paces go left on a path behind houses.

On coming to a gravel car parking area, keep to the left hedgerow, heading for the left corner and continuing ahead. The path then comes to a grass verge, passes through a metal kissing gate, still going northward, with a field on the left.

Arriving beside a three-way crossing sign, with a recreation field on the right, turn left on the signed footpath. In 200 yards, go through a metal kissing gate, turning right towards a field corner in 350 yards.

2 - Turn left from the corner on a path skirting around the edge of Steyne Wood for 250 yards and there turn right into the woodland.

In a few paces cross a bridge (could be slippery) above a pond outlet. Keep to the path for a further 100 yards, climbing to a field edge and a three-way path sign.

Walk ahead across the field, on a trodden path, descending at the far side to the edge of woodland, beside a drainage ditch. Turn right, along the edge of Decoy Wood and in a few yards bear left, climbing to a plank bridge and stile beside an arable field.

A field-centre path now heads north-westerly towards a row of houses at The Vinery. Cross a stile at the far side of the field and walk between houses to a residential road. Turn left down Gordon Terrace for 75 yards and, with a security fence ahead, turn right through a gate.

3 - Walk ahead for 200 yards beside the security fence and a line of fir trees. At the end of the fence line take a few paces left and pass through a gate into a field, taking a half-right line to the opposite side.

Pass through a gate and walk down the field edge for about 100 yards, turning right on to a field-centre path for a quarter of a mile, leading to a surfaced road at Poling.

Turn left down the quiet road, Poling Street, passing by charming cottages of the small community. Poling was the site of radar detection pylons during WW2 and had a much earlier history with a nearby Roman villa and a priory of the medieval Knights Hospitaller.

Our route southward passes barns, grain silos and drying sheds. In a little over a quarter of a mile, the street takes right and left turns, then resumes direction for 150 yards, with The Old Vicarage ahead.

4 - Turn right for 50 yards and then turn left on to a footpath that passes alongside a high, precisely coursed flint wall for 75 yards to a left turning.

Keep to the path that leads towards the churchyard gate of St Nicholas. The pre-Norman invasion church is worth a visit, if open – divert right to the porch.

The route leads across the churchyard to the opposite side, then goes beside a paddock to a stile and a three-way path junction.

Turn right along the track for 250 yards to an animal compound, exit left and immediately turn right down the field to a footbridge above a stream, known as Black Ditch.

Descend slippery steps to a narrow meadow and walk ahead a few paces to cross a stile onto a slimy plank bridge amongst a tall reed bed – care is required. In a few yards, enter a narrow tree line and climb for a few yards to the edge of Rustington golf course.

5 - From the edge of the fairway, take a leftward line, aiming for the centre of the main fairways – there are a few well-spread path signs.

Avoid going right down a left hedgeline, but negotiate a route around bushes and small trees, locating a path sign that directs you across the rise and fall of the course.

Keep to the occasional clumps of trees that appear to be on the line of the footpath, with the large building that is the Rustington Golf Centre away to the right.

The footpath comes to a gravel track after two-thirds of a mile, follow this as it bears right and then search out an obscured path sign in hedgerow on the left.

Walk ahead along a concrete drive, pass around a gate, coming to residential cul-de-sac, and turn left. Bear right down a slope to West Drive and turn right for 75 yards to where the road turns left.

Locate an opposite footpath sign, a few paces left beside a fence and up a bank.

Climb beside the fence to the edge of a field and walk ahead along the left edge for 50 yards to pass left through a stand of Scots Pines.

Go left on a continuation of the field, walking along the left hedgerow for 75 yards, diverting half-right across the field towards the opposite tree line and path sign.

6 - Turn left up a path, beneath trees, to a crossroads in 200 yards. Cross to the opposite Ham Manor Way, following this for one-third of a mile between delightful houses, surrounded by Ham Manor Golf Club. How convenient – “Just popping out for nine holes, darling, be back for dinner”.

At the end of the road go through an ornate metal gate on to a path above a shallow valley and walk towards trees.

Enter an enclosed section to arrive at a road in 250 yards. Head north along the road, soon entering Angmering and arriving at the village green, from where our walk began.

  • Distance/Time: Five and a half miles taking two and three quarter hours
  • By Car: On-street parking in Angmering village, close to the village green. Leave A27 at Hammerpot turn-off, go south to the village, or leave A2032 at Roundstone Bypass/New Road roundabout and head north on Station Road to village. Start point GR TQ068043
  • By Public Transport: Bus service to Angmering centre, Stagecoach South service 9 from Worthing, Coastliner service from Brighton and Hove to Worthing. Travel details from www.traveline.info or call 0871 2002233
  • What’s underfoot: Level coastal plain walking, with field crossings, stiles and gates, no steep climbs. Possible with a baby backpack, not possible with an off-road baby buggy
  • Thirsty Work: Pub/cafes in Angmering village, none en route
  • So you don’t get lost: OS Explorer Map 121 plus a compass for general direction

Click here for a full-sized version of the Angmering circular walk