Northchapel and the Sussex Border Path - Circular

Richard Clayton

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Northchapel lies on the A283 between Haslemere and Petworth. Heading south to visit Petworth House or the South Downs, you may well have passed through it without stopping. It lies close to Blackdown, which at 918 feet is the highest point in West Sussex and second only in South East England to Leith Hill at 968 feet.

All of this walk takes place within the South Downs National Park, England's tenth and latest National Park, established in 2010.

The route leaves Northchapel and heads north-east through fields and through Frith Wood. Frith is an Old English word often translated as 'peace'. Interestingly and perhaps not coincidentally, Richard Adams chose Frith as the name of the Lord and Creator in Watership Down! You will see many rabbits on this walk!

You pass through parts of the former Shillinglee Estate (see Additional Information) and enjoy a particularly fine view of the lake on the return leg. You will see some very attractive apartments created from the former house and farm buildings.

At your furthest point from Northchapel, the route takes in a stretch of the Sussex Border Path. West Sussex County Council describes the path as a linear walk of 150 miles, a 'beautiful and surprisingly remote route following the inland borders of Sussex with constantly changing views... not always way-marked and therefore adventurous and challenging'. Our stretch is well-waymarked and we will leave you to experience other bits on other days; there are five other Walkingworld walks along parts of the Path for starters!

England - South England - West Sussex - Countryside

Features

Birds, Church, Lake/Loch, Pub, Public Transport, Stately Home, Wildlife, Woodland

2/1/2021 - Neil Packham

Scenic, quiet, and also exceedingly squelchy underfoot at this time of year, For a shorter alternative route of about 6.7 miles, which may be preferable in the depths of winter, turn right on to the road at WM11 (a little busy, so take care) and, after it bends right, take the bridleway on the right heading south to rejoin the route at WM26.

4/5/2015 - Anne England

I completed this walk on April 4th, 2015, and it's worth noting a couple of things:there are racehorse gallops just after you go through the gate at WP16; there's a warning sign that the horses approach from the left and that you should put any dogs on a lead. This is quite a significant landmark, but you just need to cross it with care. And at WP 30 there is now a stile but it's not very dog-friendly; a small dog could wriggle under the wire, but not my 32kg labrador, who I had to lift over the wire! I think the main instructions do need adjusting for WP30 as Iestyn mentioned: as they haven't been amended, I went wrong at WP 30, continuing on the woodland path past WP31 and had to make up my own route!

5/7/2013 - Steven Cropper

At waypoint 36, a newly erected electric fence completely blocks the public footpath which goes ahead across a field. We encountered this on 05/05/2013 and have reported the finding to West Sussex County Council. We assumed that there is no current flowing as yet, as we saw the point to which the fencing work has progressed, a few hundred yards later. The fence was negotiated by holding the top wires down with our packs and striding over

8/22/2011 - Iestyn Roberts

A new fence has been erected in front of waymark 30 with no stile or access. I would suggest directions at 29 need to read: As the woods turn away sharp left, bear left to the corner of the field over a stile 30: Through the trees to a T junction finger post, turn right and follow path. 31: The next finger post is beside a gate and dilapidated stile, turn left across the stile.....

9/2/2009 - Adrian Perkins

Thanks to Derek Dainton for his updates to this walk - September 2009. Adrian (Admin)