Back in the ’fold

Mark Sutcliffe takes an energising woodland walk from the pretty Slinfold Club Campsite

The Club’s Slinfold site is built on the location of the former village station right beside the trackbed of an old Sussex branch line which fell victim to Dr Beeching’s cuts in 1965.

Nearly 20 years later, the line was partially resurrected as the Downs Link – a 37-mile walking, cycling and riding trail following the route of the former Cranleigh and Steyning railway lines.

Our walk sets out along this wide and well-waymarked pathway, heading into the rolling downland of the Low Weald – a quintessentially English landscape characterised by ancient woodland and verdant pastureland now dominated by commercial stables and grazing.

These area comes alive with wildflowers and birdsong in the spring, which – along with the autumn months – is the best time to visit.

After an easy amble through this pleasant countryside, a pause for refreshment at the friendly village pub is an option or, for a 45-minute stroll with stop-off at The Red Lyon, simply follow the route descriptions at points 1, 8, 9 and 10.

Directions

1. From the Club site’s main gate, turn right then almost immediately right again onto the Downs Link.  Follow the Downs Link for a mile, through a tunnel under the A29 into the rolling countryside of the Low Weald.

2. 1.7km – As the countryside opens up either side of the path, turn left at the bench onto a bridleway known as Pensfold Lane. Follow the path along the edge of the woodland. Continue along the lane between the paddocks and copses passing a timber-framed farmhouse.

3. 2.8km – At Naldrett Farm, just past a house of the same name, turn left off the bridleway over a stile and into the paddocks. Continue through a series of kissing gates and over a stile then jink left, then right, to follow a path along the field boundary, veering half left after 200m on a path between fields.

4. 3.5km – After 400m jink right, then left, and continue on the field footpath. At the edge of a plant nursery, run left and over a footbridge, through the nursery and then go right to meet with a lane. Proceed with caution here due to traffic.

5. 4.2km – Follow the lane left with care, taking the footpath on the left after 250m. Head over a stile, continue across the paddock and over the next stile.

6. 4.4km – At the path junction, take the left-hand path along the edge of the woods. Continue over the next stile and into the woods. Follow the woodland path for 500m down into a valley over a footbridge and up the other side onto a golf course. Follow fhe footpath alongside the fairway then left through a gate and onto a lane.

7. 5.3km – Continue along this lane for half a mile then head through some black, metal gates and cross over the Downs Link path via a bridge.

8. 6.2km – Join the bridleway heading into the woodland and then, after 250m, follow the bridleway right to emerge near the A29. Use caution here due to traffic.

9. 56.8km – Cross road with extreme care and continue along Park Street into the village. Continue round to the left on Spring Lane, then follow the road round to the right to The Red Lyon. The 500-year-old inn is a pleasant spot for refreshments and has a large beer garden to the rear.

10. 57.7km – After 100m, continue straight ahead along Hayes Lane. Continue through a leafy residential area for 500m then turn right along the Downs Link for 400m before heading right to reach the Club site.

Download this route and others to your smartphone or GPS device from the Club’s OutdoorActive page at: out.ac/IPp3bt

About the route

• Start/finish: Slinfold Club Campsite, Spring Lane, Slinfold, Horsham RH13 0RT
• Distance: 5.4 miles/ 8.7km.
• Time: 2hr 30min.
• Level: Suitable for occasional walkers with a reasonable level of fitness.
• Terrain: Quiet country lanes and woodland paths, which may be muddy in wet weather. One busy road to cross with care. Broadly flat, well-waymarked paths with few stiles.
• Landscape: Undulating farmland with deciduous woodland
• Refreshments: The Red Lyon (below), Slinfold.

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The Caravan and Motorhome Club make no warranties concerning the accuracy or completeness of the routes published, which to the best of our knowledge were correct at the time of publication. Your use of the routes is at your own risk and we accept no responsibility for the suitability or safety of any routes published. Routes may be out of date or affected by changes to the physical environment and, to the extent permitted by law, we accept no responsibility for personal injury or property damage caused by your use of the routes.