Sussex Exclusive Magazine Issue 6 2023

Whether you’re looking for wildlife, panoramic views across Sussex, or just a
hearty walk to get your heart racing, these two walks are perfect for a crisp
winter morning.
Duncton
Warming
Winter Walks
Make the most of frosty mornings and catch
some of the best views in Sussex, with these
two stunning walks
Gorgeous Winter Walk at
Duncton Hill, West Sussex
This walk is perfect for a frosty winter
day and if you’re lucky, you might
catch layers of mist drifting across
the landscape. It combines wide open
spaces, lots of wildlife, stunning views
and wooded tree-lined paths. So, grab
your hat and scarf, pack a flask of coffee
and take the A285 south of Petworth to
Duncton Hill. There’s a small car park
and viewfinder halfway up the hill. Park
here. What3words: butchers.glad.swift.
Distance: 7.5 km. Elevation: 171 m.
Difficulty: Medium. Ordnance Survey
Explorer 121.
While in the car park, it’s well worth
taking a moment or two to enjoy the
view and there’s a dial that points out
the main landmarks such as Blackdown,
Seaford College, Leith Hill, St Michael’s
and Petworth. It’s a good spot for a quick
coffee from the flask before you head off.
Duncton Hill to the South
Downs Way
From the car park, you have a choice
of routes. You can walk a short distance
along and up the road until at the
entrance to the chalk pit, you pick up
the West Sussex Literary Trail and turn
right on to it. Alternatively, there is a
footpath up hill through the woods
from the car park, which avoids the road
and takes you around the side of the
chalk pit. This was our preference, and
you follow the path through the woods
with tempting views of the valley below
through the trees.
If you’re lucky, you’ll also see wild deer
and we saw a herd of about 20. The
sharp drop to your right as you walk is
Woolavington Down and that is Seaford
College below you and Blackdown in the
distance (when not shrouded in mist).
Follow the path until it breaks free of the
woods and then takes you across fields
until it meets the South Downs Way. The
route is easy to follow.
Cross Dyke into Eastdean
Wood
You should have met the South Downs
Way at Cross Dyke (and Tegleaze Farm)
about 2.25 km into your walk and you
go straight across rather than join the
South Downs Way. The footpath you
want is a Restricted Byway which is
OK for walkers but not bikes. Follow
this path in a straight line. First, you
pass fields but then you enter the most
magnificent beech wood. This is Eastdean
Wood, owned by the Goodwood
Estate and managed by the Forestry
Commission. It’s so well-maintained and
full of wildlife.
We met no one as we walked this magical
woodland apart from more deer. After
about 1.75 km, you reach a crossroads
and you turn left as you start to double
back towards the South Downs Way.
You are still in Eastdean Wood but you
will know the exact moment you leave
the Forestry Commission section as the
nature of the woods changes. Just carry
on in a straight line in and out of the
woods. Heath Hanger is to your right
but you can’t really see it.
Stickingspit Bottom
You arrive back at the South Downs Way
with incredible views ahead. This walk is
worth it if just for this. The West Sussex
Literary Trail is ahead and will take you
back to the car park. Alternatively, you
can see the woodland route you took
earlier to the car park and rejoin that.
Herds of
deer, views
of Petworth
and woodland
paths make
this winter
walk a must
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