Summer Walking: Steyning and Bramber

Thursday, 9 July 2020 16:50

By Robert Veitch

We tasked our walking expert to navigate a route through Steyning and Bramber, up to the Downs and alongside the river Adur for a beautiful country trek

From Newmans Garden’s car park in Tanyard Lane, walk to the junction of Tanyard Lane and High Street. On the other side of the road behind a metal barrier are four steps, leading to a passage between the houses.

At the end, turn right onto Charlton Street, following the pavement around the corner, beyond Fairs Field, then veering left onto the track leading to the bowling club. This is the Upper Horseshoe Path, and once past the allotments, the gradual incline becomes evident.

Amble uphill, past the metal gate and through the arboreal tunnel, to the kissing gate bordering Steyning Coombe.

Walk straight up the hill ahead, which stretches out invitingly like a long green carpet.

Your heart may pound and your lungs may burn, but try not to turn around until you reach Jean Kinsella’s seat because the view is worth the wait.

Uphill from the seat is a kissing gate into Horseshoe Woods.

The path begins a long graceful arc to the south, the gradient easing a whisker in the process, eventually cresting the 181m (594ft) high point of the day as it passes between two fingerposts.

From here, the path runs parallel to the fence line, through a plethora of felled trees suffering from Ash Dieback. By Mary Virgo’s seat, turn right, uphill, onto the chalk and flint path which leads between two fences to a five way junction, marked by the Langmead memorial.

Take the second exit on the left, the planings leading down to Bostal Road.

Cross carefully, then turn left and walk parallel to the road, to the junction with the concrete of Soper’s Lane.

Turn left and ramble down the concrete, noting the dry valley of Steyning Bowl away to the left.

Towards the bottom of the valley the concrete esses its way past the barn, over the brow and into the farmyard. Pay attention and respect the signs of Upper Maudlyn Farm when passing through.

It’s half a mile along a mixture of tarmac and concrete underfoot to the fringes of Bramber, widening out as the junction with Maudlin Lane approaches.

Turn right, then left, walking along Maudlin Lane on the right hand side towards any oncoming traffic.

After almost half a mile, the roundabout is reached. Cross the A283 anti-clockwise, before turning right onto the Downs Link.

Walk southeast for almost half a mile, then bear left over a footbridge, then immediately right, and follow the gravel path across the flood plain to the road bridge over the River Adur.

Turn left, and ascend onto the levee, walking upstream for almost half a mile to Beeding Bridge.

Turn left into the charming village of Bramber. Wander along The Street for almost half a mile before taking the steps on the right to the Parish Church of St Nicholas at Bramber Castle.

The incline rises quickly from the road, around the periphery of the graveyard to a National Trust sign.

If your preference is to avoid the enjoyable distraction of a detour to Bramber Castle, turn left by the National Trust sign and walk along the ridge of the outer bank.

Follow the ridge clockwise around the Castle site to the most northerly corner where it veers left and downhill through a legion of tree roots to join another path by new panel fencing.

Turn right and head north to a kissing gate that opens onto the flood plain.

Head across the field, before tracking the power lines left, into the northwest corner of the field where there is a kissing gate.

At the junction with the road, turn left by the plant pots onto Kings Barn Lane.

Follow the road for one-third of a mile, not forgetting to walk on the right at the ‘no footway for 200 yards’ sign.

Take the bridge over the busy A283, turning left into Jarvis Lane shortly after, then continue past the pretty homes and knapped flint walls to the junction with the High Street.

Turn right and walk up to the mini-roundabout.

From here it’s 350m to Tanyard Lane, but on the way why not treat yourself to tea and cake, or something more substantial.

After all, a good walk, well done, deserves a reward.

Please note Robert has tested the route personally, making sure it is suitable for walking. However, even he cannot guarantee the effects of the weather, or roadworks, or any other factors outside of his control. If you would like to send your feedback about a local walk, please email editorial@sussexliving.com

Summer Walking: Steyning and Bramber

Share

More from Downtime