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Directions 

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1. Steyning is worth exploring – particularly the Norman church and excellent museum opposite. In times past Steyning was a port on the River Adur and the museum tells the story of the port’s demise.

2. Walk along High Street for around 200m to reach FP on L where 4 steps go up to a cut-through just past the junction with Tanyard Lane on the R. Turn R on Charlton St and follow road round to L then take FP on L gently uphill.

3. When you reach an information board for the Steyning Downland Scheme go through gate and shortly see information board for Rifle Range. Keep R and climb bank at far end of field. Turn L along bank and continue, keeping hedge to R. Turn around for some excellent views across the Weald.

4. Join BW and continue uphill keeping R at fork to meet ridge and South Downs Way (SDW). The SDW runs for 100 miles from Winchester to Eastbourne along the chalk ridge. Grazed by sheep for centuries, the ridge has a huge variety of flowers and is home to many insects and birds.

5. Follow SDW to iconic Chanctonbury Ring, site of a prehistoric hill fort and later two Romano-British Temples. The beech trees were planted in the mid 18th Century but most were destroyed in the 1987 storm and what you see was mainly planted after that.

6. At signpost take Restricted Byway downhill. After 1.25km meet junction with BW and turn hard R. Continue downhill to Wiston Estate and farm buildings. Here you will find the excellent Chalk restaurant which does a fine breakfast or lunch, and serves coffee and excellent cinnamon buns in the courtyard.

7. Taking BW back up to the SDW requires an extremely dangerous crossing of the A24. The alternative is to follow the driveway at the top of the Wiston car park downhill to meet a minor road and turn R crossing bridge. Follow sign for Windlesham House School along short stretch of drive. There is strictly no right of way here but given the risks associated with the alternative the diversion is popular with walkers and horse riders. After 100m reach sign for BW and turn L.

8. Follow BW for 1km to meet junction with Restricted Byway at concrete path. Turn R and continue uphill following path around to R, keeping field to R. Keep L opposite three beech trees and eventually regain SDW by a gate. Turn L.

9. Continue along SDW for 6km with superb views to the N and S. There’s a wonderful airy feel to the walk at this point and you walk through the SSSI between Sullington Hill and Amberley Mount.

10. As you start to descend the views open up to Amberley Brooks and the River Arun. Where SDW reaches road fork R downhill to main B2139. Cross this road and walk a short way through village, ignoring road on L, to reach Black Horse pub.

 

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