The Marden Villages

Sylvia Saunders

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This circular walk takes you on a tour of the delightfully tranquil Marden Villages interlinked with beautiful, soft West Sussex countryside. It starts from the Victoria Inn at West Marden where you will find log fires, good food and real ales. The route takes you through woodland to Up Marden with its 13th Century church. Walking quiet trackways with far-reaching views across West Sussex and Hampshire, you arrive at the tiny Norman church at North Marden.

Taking quiet lanes and field-paths you will find East Marden with its Norman church and a thatched well at the village centre. Again with marvellous views you leave the village across the fields, climbing up through the woods and arriving back at Up Marden. There is a different return to West Marden along the downs to Telegraph Hill, again with lovely views.

Those of you with dogs may find it useful to know that my dog, a slim, fit Labrador, managed all the stiles with ease.

Please note that there is a steep climb at one point in this walk.

England - South England - West Sussex - South Downs

Features

Birds, Butterflies, Church, Flowers, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Pub, Public Transport, Wildlife, Woodland

5/16/2022 - Ray Clarke

Slyvia’s walks are synonymous with well written and great walks. This one lived up to my high expectations with ease. The landscape was varied, ranging from great views, farmland and woodland. Plenty of picnic stops available at any of the three churches. This is a dog friendly walk with no difficult stiles to worry about.

6/17/2018 - andy hasted

A great walk. One of the best of the many we have done in Hampshire. Started at point 11 which neatly put the Victoria inn(Very good) in the middle of the walk for lunch. Point 4- No stiles left except one into the wood halfway down the hill( Ignore). Walk past this to bottom of hill and up the other side of the dip entering the wood through a gap in the hedge. No stile again. Point 10 - walk through narrow strip of woods coming out into the field with the hedge on your right. Continue downhill across two more fields to point 11

7/4/2015 - Jan Rees

A lovely walk...my first after retirement! I did get a bit lost around stages 10 and 11. The stiles seemed to be gone and the only way marker seemed to take me in a circle to the lane I'd left 30 minutes before. I then used the lanes to get back to N Marden and all was well....but a mile or so added! The compass on my my mobile phone.....sitting at home.... would have helped! The highlight was Up Marden Chuch. The paths are a little overgrown now so long trousers for Summer walking from now on, I think. Jan Rees

2/16/2015 - Jonathan Kershaw

I did the walk with a work colleague over the weekend 15/02/2015 and was blessed with perfect weather and another perfect walk from Sylvia. 1 steep section to watch out for which will get the heart pumping and out of breath, but keep at it and the rewards are well worth it. A lovely pint of ale in the Victoria Inn as a reward at the end and sat out in the garden enjoying the February Sunshine.

5/17/2012 - Beverly Tabor

Did this walk on Saturday 12th May 2012, in bright sunshine with a brisk cold wind! Very enjoyable. Lots of variety - field edges, woodland, and pretty villages, with only short sections on road. Very good bird life, and saw deer and foxes.

8/22/2011 - Walking Fan

Completed this in August 2011 - delightful walk , one steep climb which can be a bit challenging but shouldn't stop you trying this walk. Blissfully quiet and away from it all. Victoria Inn at the end is a nice place to end the day - very friendly.

12/31/2010 - Pete Steele

This was my last walk of 2010. What can I say? Wonderful, beautiful, delightful. A most exhilarating walk with outstanding views. Yes, there is a very steep climb at waymark 18 through the woods but Sylvia, as always, describes this beautifully. Well worth the climb. An absolute must of a walk and perfect for my two dogs. Superb.

3/22/2009 - Addie Bambridge

21/3/09 This was our longest walk yet and it was really beautiful - we had a perfect day weatherwise and even saw a herd of deer - twice!- crossing one of the open fields. Havin said that, the hill at waymark 18 is seriously steep. Even our fittest walker, who cycles everywhere and runs regularly, found it difficult. In fact, we probably would not do this walk again because of it. Also, the distance between waymarks 20 and 21 is further than it sounds, so follow Sylvia's directions exactly and keep going until you come to the left-pointing bridleway sign, ignoring the other ones along the way. Addie Bambridge & friends.

10/28/2008 - Elizabeth Wright

Did this walk on 16 Oct. Between points 10 & 11 we encountered a wild boar facing us approx 3 to 4 metres ahead. One of our group photographed it and it was confirmed to be a wild boar when shown to a local farmer. He was not aware of any seen in the locality but he said his dogs had picked up a scent and he had seen signs of boar activity. A very enjoyable walk. Also saw a stag being chased by local dogs and lots of bird and wildlife.

2/4/2008 - Ian and Sarah Jane Lloyd

We enjoyed this wonderful walk on 26/01/2008. There are stunning views at almost every point and the walk includes a bit of everything (woodland, fields, tracks.) We were lucky enough to see some magnificent Fallow Deer in Grevitts Copse and also a total of five Buzzards during the course of the walk. The countryside around the Marden villages is very quiet and you really can get away from it all as you are unlikely to meet many people whilst you enjoy this walk.