Harting - Hooksway

Sylvia Saunders

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This beautiful circular walk starts from the Harting Downs public car park. Almost immediately you are greeted with far-reaching views of the rolling South Downs as you walk the crest of the Harting Downs along the South Downs Way.

There is a fairly gentle climb along the flank of Beacon Hill, with a chance to see some deer as the route becomes quieter and with wooded areas. Dropping down through woodland into the tiny, remote hamlet of Hooksway you will find the Royal Oak – a fantastic pub selling a wide range of real ales and good food. They have roaring open fires in the winter and provide a friendly atmosphere. Dogs are welcome but children are not. However they do have a large garden.

The return half of the walk again has some lovely views but with more varied countryside, through woodland, fields and a quiet driveway to Telegraph House which is lined with beautiful copper-beech trees. Those of you with dogs may find it useful to know that my dog, a slim, fit Labrador who cannot jump, managed the few stiles with ease.

Please note that there is now a £2 charge for the car park (January 2007).

England - South England - West Sussex - South Downs

Features

Birds, Butterflies, Great Views, Hills or Fells, National Trust, Pub, Wildlife, Woodland

5/3/2021 - Ellen Pirie

We enjoyed this walk yesterday. We repeated the beginning at the end (see map which shows how you can do this) so we could enjoy the nice views. A few cyclists in groups here and there but nothing that bothered us. Note you either need a National Trust card/sticker at the car park or you need to use the app PayByPhone. No cash machines.

3/27/2015 - linda wallace

We have just come back from a terrific walk on an unexpectedly glorious day. The walk has a few hills that get the blood pumping but in the main is gentle and gorgeous with sweeping views and peace. We stopped for lunch at the pub which was good and good value and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Thanks for a great walk!

1/2/2015 - Shaun Singleton

We've just got back after a fantastic day walking. My two dogs found the route exhausting but thoroughly enjoyable as did we all. It is the 2nd January 2015 and the sun has shone on us all day, the route is hilly but the description is easy to follow and there were no styles that couldn't be negotiated by the dogs. On the whole a great start to the New Year, thank you Sylvia for a superb walk.

1/2/2015 - Shaun Singleton

5/16/2011 - Andy McTaggart

Sylvia Saunders delivers yet another absolute classic. We enjoyed this one during mid May and with the countryside in full leaf and bloom. Stunning Views with rolling tumbling downland and woodland throughout. Sky Larks a plenty plus my first Cuckoo of the year. Despite its superb location, don't expect a warm and friendly welcome in The Royal Oak at Hooksway, as you will very likely be disappointed. It shut at 3pm on a fine sunny Saturday which was equally very odd! Nonetheless, yet another stunner from Sylvia for which Many Thanks. Andy McTaggart

9/10/2006 - Stephen Harris

Yet another gem of a walk from Sylvia Saunders. Excellent start to the walk, breathtaking views of the undulating downs and 100% correct directions make for a truly rewarding walk. Only slight downside is there is a lot of path walking through woodland with no views so we rate 9 out of 10 instead of 10!. If you were the couple walking with an umbrella as a sun shade on Sunday 10th September 2006 we passed you after waypoint 17! and left you for dust! haha... Excellent. 9/10.

7/4/2006 - Brian Hughes

Our first walk on the Downs. really beutiful and on a lovely day too. Heartily recommend pub at Hooksway. I GPS'ed walk and think it is nearer 12 km than 10.