Rackham Hill on the South Downs - Circular

Richard Clayton

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Commanding views of the South Downs, the sea and the Arun Flood-plain contrast with undulating slopes and ancient woodland, a perfect habitat for wildflowers and butterflies.

On 31st March 2010 the South Downs became Britain's newest National Park and the tenth to be designated in England. It is over 1,600 km sq and stretches 100 miles from the edge of Winchester to Beachy Head. The Park is home to over 108,000 people and includes the towns of Petersfield, Midhurst and Lewes.

England - South England - West Sussex - South Downs

Features

Flowers, Great Views, Hills or Fells

7/16/2023 - Phil Manns

We did this walk on a sunny but windy July day. Beautiful views! Good pathways to walk on. Further to the comments re WP06, we found that both the paths either side of the hedge were overgrown but we just simply turned left at the WP06 crossroads, made a right at the T junction and then found ourselves at WP08 for hardly any extra distance! Very good for dogs too!

5/31/2007 - Norman Lavender

An even more pleasant walk in the summer. I can re-confirm my winter comments and can also confirm that at WP06 you should walk on the other side of the hedge (keep hedge on left), thus avoiding the problem Stephen had at WP07.

1/27/2007 - Norman Lavender

I found this a very pleasant walk with excellent views. An added point of interest (at least for me) is that at around WP02, if you look beyond Parham House you will see the airfield of the Southdown Gliding Club. Have a look at their website www.sgc1.org and maybe come along for a flight. At WP03 there is no longer a stile; you need to go through a wooden 5 bar gate. Also at the left turn to the chalky track there is a double, metal 5 bar gate plus a pedestrian gate. I note Stephen's comment about WP07, it was OK at this time of year but agree that it is probably impassable with the extra Summer growth. I think back at WP06 the correct path may be on the other side of the fence which would solve the WP07 problem. Definitely a walk to be recommended, but may be preferable in the Summer months as it was extremely muddy in places.

5/28/2006 - Stephen Harris

Great views but a very seemingly long walk. Seems like 10 miles when you walk it!. Watch out at point 6. The tree in the picture has changed shape and the field was green and getting overgrown. Also, at point 7 it was virtually impassable and we had to fight nettles and thistles to get into the wood!. Also make sure you turn 90 degrees at waypoint 8 and not back on yourself. If you come to a house/farm with some strange looking straight up trees you've gone the wrong way!. Good walk, but little in the way of features and seems very long! We rate it 4/10.