Who could believe it? Only three weeks ago England was experiencing its worst snow storms in decades. Last Saturday my family and I thought we’d take advantage of the unusually mild February sunshine and take a long walk on the South Downs.
After spending some time arguing with the wife about where on the Downs we should go, and subsequently keying in ‘best walk South Downs’ (Google settled it once and for all) we decided to head for a car park at Bignor Hill in West Sussex. This and the surrounding walks seemed to dominate the top end of the results. It also had the added advantage of being only a 20 minute drive from where we live.
My wife (four months pregnant), my two daughters aged seven (had a terrible cough) and five (persistently complains of being hungry, thirsty or tired after walking for more than twenty minutes) and I (yes, you guessed it, my idea) headed out enthusiastically into the sunshine and set off in our car to discover the genteel beauty of the South Downs. The girls ate sausage rolls as we went, covering the inside of my recently valeted car in assorted sized flakes of pastry.
The drive to the picturesque little village of Bignor takes you along one of many scenic stretches of the A29, between Pulborough and Arundel. This is classic, quaint and honest English countryside at its best – rolling hills, farmhouses, village pubs and the odd obligatory muddy field complete with a few horses standing around looking bored out of their skulls!
Before you climb the steep hill (which on a clear day at the top offers amazing views over the Downs to the sea) you turn right (the road sign says Bignor) and you’ll drive through scenery that becomes more dramatic, with Bignor Hill (I assume) on your left. We spent about 20 minutes from this point trying to find the car park and almost gave up. Due to my pig headedness we did not, and thank goodness! For when you discover the whereabouts of the car park, take the bumpy narrow uphill (single track) road – almost more at home in The Lake District – all the time praying you won’t meet another car coming the opposite way, and take in the world around you it’s all worth it.
The views are nothing short of spectacular and you really feel like you’re on top of the world as you step out of your car and breathe in the air around you. I circled on the spot to take in the incredible (and practically 360 degree) views. We took a walk up the field directly in front of the car park (pictured) enjoying woodland on one side and sweeping fields, forests, lakes and villages beneath us on the other. When you reach the top of the sloping hill you are treated to long range views on both sides.
Apparently it can get very windy but when we arrived all was calm. The sun was shining brightly and we actually felt warmer for being that little bit closer to it – a great story for the girls to tell at school the following Monday. We walked on for about three miles before stopping for a picnic (yes a picnic in February and no we are not mad we are adventurous!) and turned back so we could listen to Grace complain about being hungry, thirsty and tired for the duration of the walk back to the car.
Other than that though, we had a very enjoyable time. I felt genuinely amazed this incredible gem had existed practically on our own doorstep and we hadn’t discovered it sooner. If you fancy checking this place out it’s worth knowing that the car park is past the Roman Villa on your right... keep driving until you reach a farmyard, swing left and keep going. Don’t be put off by the road. You know the best places are the hardest to find. Honestly, it will be worth it!
Did you know the South Downs is now registered as a national park giving it the highest level of protection against planning available! Good news as it's beautiful!
Posted by: Paul | May 16, 2009 at 11:51 AM