Walderton - Kingley Vale

Sylvia Saunders

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A circular walk with fantastic views of both the south coast and the South Downs! The walk starts from the pretty West Sussex village of Walderton with its superb pub, The Barley Mow. Starting with a short climb through a field up to Walderton Down, the route then takes you along a firm track with views to the coast. Then a long but gentle ascent up to Asdean Down where you will be rewarded with views of Chichester's cathedral and harbour. There's a chance to see some deer in the woodland whilst skirting the edge of Kingley Vale. Then suddenly you leave the woodland and find yourself on top of the open down with far-reaching views for miles around you. Climb to the top of the tumuli for an even better viewpoint! Enjoy the gentle descent down to the village of Stoughton, where there is another very good pub. Passing near to St Mary's, Stoughton's Saxon church, the Monarch's Way takes you along a track and then through open fields with yet more stunning views, arriving back into Walderton.

Those of you with dogs may find it useful to know that there are only four stiles and my Labrador, who cannot jump, managed them all with ease.

England - South England - West Sussex - South Downs

Features

Ancient Monument, Birds, Butterflies, Church, Flowers, Good for Kids, Great Views, Hills or Fells, National Trust, Pub, Wildlife, Woodland

5/31/2015 - Malcolm Statt

Waypoint 2 the footpath was completely overgrown. There were sheep grazing in the field that we used to use as we walk this route often. We did manage the footpath but beware, stinging nettles, brambles, branches and incredibly wet. Why don't the farmers maintain footpaths.

8/28/2014 - John Morton

Splendid walk. Car parking is good, the walk is well described and easy to follow, the views are spectacular from the tumulii at the top of Kingly Vale, and the post walk pub, the Barley Mow, is excellent. This will become one of my 'standard' walks and I'm looking forward to many happy hours on this route.

8/12/2008 - Sylvia Saunders

Updated Aug 2008 with great thanks to Jean!

6/9/2007 - Anthony Gilbert

Great walk with superb views, if you are prone to stopping to take in the views, then you should allow double the time. GPS does make a difference (I use Memory Map). Try to plan to end at lunchtime as the food at the Barley Mow is superb.

10/11/2005 - Sylvia Saunders

Tony and I had a walk out here to see what had gone wrong for Darryl Pinto. He turned off the track too early (after 1.4km instead of 1.9km) taking a right fork into a field. To be fair it has to be said that there is a tree posing at this right hand fork which looks a bit like the tree in the photo of the correct triangle! Also it is difficult to estimate the distance that you’ve walked without the help of a GPS. I am sorry that he didn’t find my instructions clear. Hopefully he will try it again and enjoy it 2nd time round. When we did it the tracks were really dry and dusty even along the bridlepaths – something that can’t last much longer!

9/19/2005 - Darryl Pinto

Maybe the undergrowth has grown a lot, or we missed the 1st triangle junction, but when we took the right turn onto the track stated, we were confronted with "Danger. Private Gallops. Trespassers WILL be prosecuted". So unfortunately we retraced our steps to our parked car. It might be worth checking if anything has changed since the instructions of 2004.

10/19/2004 - Ian and Sarah Jane Lloyd

This was our first Walking World experience and a very positive one too. The views are simply stunning and the instructions very clear. Conditions underfoot were challenging as the bridlepaths on the flat were very muddy. 17/10/04