Walking Britain South Downs Walk
Blackpatch Hill & Harrow Hill from near Storrington
Walk Route Description
Click thumbnails for larger images.
This West Sussex walk in the South Downs National Park starts from the car park (grid ref. TQ070125) easily reached by a narrow lane that climbs onto the Downs from the B2139 road between Amberley and Storrington a few miles west of the A24. The walk follows generally well-marked paths and tracks and includes a section of the South Downs Way and the Monarch's Way.
From the car park head east along the South Downs Way which is followed across the southern flank of Kithurst Hill. After just over a mile from the start you reach a car park at Chantry Post (grid ref. TQ087119). Leave the South Downs Way and take the footpath heading south east across a field. Continue into next field and follow the path which heads half left to reach the field boundary. Stay on the path to the south east corner of this large field (grid ref. TQ090107). Entering the next field ignore the path heading half right across the field and stay on the track alongside the field boundary.
After 800 metres the track reaches the foot of Blackpatch Hill on your left. The track curves gently to the right and then left to continue its southerly route gradually losing height to pass Longfurlong Farm (on your left) to reach a road (grid ref. TQ093082) about two and a half miles from leaving the South Downs Way. Turn right following the signs for the Monarch's Way following the access road for Myrtle Grove Farm. In this large complex of buildings navigate your way to follow the waymarks for the Monarch's Way which heads almost due west running to the south of a large house just beyond a lawnmower business on the left. Continue along the Monarch's Way for a further 800 metres to reach a road (grid ref. TQ083085).
Turn right (north) following the road and after 800 metres as the road sweeps to the left (grid ref. TQ082093) leave the road and follow a track which runs north west and then north around the flank of Harrow Hill. This track re-joins the road (grid ref TQ078103). Continue along the road as it swings left to reach Lee Farm (grid ref. TQ075104). Just before the farm turn right on a clear track heading north. After a kilometre of easy walking you reach a T-junction. Turn left. After just over 100 metres turn right alongside a plantation on your left. Ignore the bridleway on your left and continue to the end of the trees (grid ref. TQ073119). Turn left and almost immediately right onto on the continuing path across a field to reach a cross track (grid ref. TQ072121). If you are interested, you can make a short diversion here to see a derelict WWII Mark 2 Churchill tank, which is located a short way down the track on the left. To continue head straight across the field back to the start.
Please maintain social distancing - keep at least 2 metres away from other walkers.
Maps | |||
| Ordnance Survey Explorer OL10 | Sheet Map | 1:25k | BUY |
| Anquet OS Explorer OL10 | Digital Map | 1:25k | BUY |
| Ordnance Survey Landranger 198 | Sheet Map | 1:50k | BUY |
| Anquet OS Landranger 198 | Digital Map | 1:50k | BUY |
It is recommended you take a map. The preferred scale is 1:25k. | |||
GPS files - right click or option-click the button and choose "Save As..." to download this file.
Recommended Books & eBooks
The South Downs Way Map Booklet
Map of the 100 mile (160km) South Downs Way National Trail, between Eastbourne and Winchester. This booklet is included with the Cicerone guidebook to the trail and shows the full route on OS 1:25,000 maps. The trail typically takes a week to walk and is suitable for most levels of ability.
More information
Walks in the South Downs National Park
Guidebook with 40 circular walks throughout the South Downs National Park, exploring the beautiful chalk hills between Eastbourne and Winchester. The walks range from under 5 miles to 11 miles, including Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters, Ditchling Beacon and hundreds of prehistoric sites. Accessible all year, but wild flowers best in spring.
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The National Trails
This inspirational guidebook looks at each of the UK's 19 National Trails, with information that allows ease of comparison and contrast, inspiring you to find out more and to take up a long-distance challenge. Some Trails are short and easy, others much longer, many have strong themes - they may follow a coastline, or traverse ranges of hills.
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