INTRODUCTION

This booklet has been produced to help guide visitors through a beautiful and unspoilt part of West within the South Downs National Park. The Octagon Parish is made up of eight villages with churches: Stansted, , Stoughton, , , , Compton and Forestside and two villages without churches: and . Blessed with wonderful walks and fine views down to the south coast, its small ancient downland churches are noted for their spiritual peace and tranquility, some dating back to Saxon times. There are two stately homes in the area: Stansted House and Uppark. To mark the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 2012, The Octagon decided to establish a long circular walking route using existing footpaths and bridleways to link all the villages together. This is called The Octagon Way and is about 18 miles long. There are also eight circular Octagon Short Walks of 2–4 miles each.

GET THE No 54 BUS Why not reduce parking pressure and help • Please take your litter home with you. to conserve this beautiful National Park by • Wildlife: Please do not disturb or harm using the local bus service. The no.54 bus any wild animals. passes through the area – 5 times daily • Photograph wildflowers but leave them except Sunday – making it possible to bus unpicked and untrampled for others to and walk. Find out more about local buses enjoy. in the contacts section at the back. • Take care on public roads. Some routes do involve walking along or Parking: Apart from Stansted Park Garden crossing roads. Centre there are very few official car parks in The Octagon. This booklet gives guidance • Remember that wild animals, farm where you can park for each walk. animals and horses can behave unpredictably – so give them plenty of Environment: Please help us to care for space. this beautiful place by following a few simple guidelines: • Remember that footpaths are only open for walkers • Close gates behind you. , whilst bridleways are open to walkers, cyclists and horse- • Keep your dogs under close control at riders. all times to protect livestock, wildlife and your dog!

Page 2 WALDERTON to 2 WATERGATE A pleasant walk over open countryside with lovely views to the south. Woods have displays of bluebells and wild garlic in Spring.

POINTS OF INTEREST Distance: Ems River: A seasonal chalk stream that used to power 3½ miles mills and feed watercress beds. Time: 1½ hours Monarch’s Way: A 615 mile footpath loosely Access: Gentle slopes, no following Charles II’s 1651 route from Worcester to stiles. Shoreham-by-Sea where he escaped to France. Getting there: Bike or bus – Watergate House: Modelled on the original 18th limited parking in Walderton. Century house which burnt down. Not open to the Parking: Limited short term public. parking (up to 8 cars) on the The Barley Mow Pub: Traditional country pub with triangle of ground left of the lane skittle alley – walker and dog friendly. to Walderton. Also, the Barley Mow pub’s large car park with ROUTE landlord’s permission.  Leave Walderton bus stop near Ems River; walk north on footpath beside main road for a few hundred yards. Little InholmesI Turn right  across road into Cooks Busto Wood Lane. Pass flint buildings on left and House follow lane into Walderton. Watergate Watergate House  At first footpath fingerpost turn left Hanger Walk up a narrow path. Turn right  along s B2146 ch’ ‘Monarch’s Way’ between arable MonarMo y Cooks WWa fields. Cross lane and continue uphill River Lane Ems to Inholmes Wood. Woodlan ds Barley La Mow Pub  Turn left  down slope and cross ne lane. Walderton  Continue uphill on bridleway through woods.  Turn left  at bridleway fingerpost. Follow edge of wood with distant views to south. Path goes behind Watergate House to main road.  Cross road and follow bridleway beside Little Busto House and turn left  behind the house. Climb gently along edge of Watergate Hanger.  Turn left  down Woodlands Lane – take care with any traffic. Pass Manor Farm Cottage on left. Rejoin main road and return to the bus stop.

Page 4 USEFUL CONTACTS South Downs National Park Authority West Marden: Marden Down self-catering www.southdowns.gov.uk cottages. Tel: (02392) 631729 Tel: (01730) 814810 www.mardendown.co.uk Email: [email protected] Watergate: Grandwood House www.grandwoodhouse.co.uk Stansted House: www.stanstedpark.co.uk Tel: (07971) 845153 Tel: (02392) 412265 Adsdean Farm Self-Catering Cottages: www.adsdean.co.uk The Pavilion Tea Room www.paviliontearoom.co.uk Tel: (01243) 575464 Tel: (02392) 413432 Compton: Apiary Cottage Stansted Park Garden Centre: Tel: (02392) 631306 www.apiarycottagebandb.co.uk www.stanstedparkgardencentre.co.uk Tel: (02392) 413090 Compton: Compton Farm Cottages Uppark House and Gardens: Tel: (02392) 631597 www.cottages4you.co.uk www.nationaltrust.org.uk/uppark Tel: (01730) 825415 Compton: Hundred Acre Barn & District Bus and Coach Company Tel: (02392) 631413 (No 54 Bus Service to Petersfield): email: [email protected] www.emsworthanddistrict.co.uk Compton: The Old Clubhouse Tel: (01243) 378337 Tel: (02392) 631505 Compton Shop & Tea Room: Compton: Pepper Pot Cottage www.southdowns-tearoom.co.uk Tel: (07717) 473168 Tel: (02392) 631144 www.pepperpotcottage.co.uk Up Marden: Orchard Barn PUBS Tel: (01243) 535266 Walderton: The Barley Mow www.orchardbarnwestsussex.co.uk www.thebarleymow.pub Tel: (02392) 631321 EMERGENCY SERVICES Stoughton: The Hare & Hounds NB: Mobile telephone coverage is restricted in some www.hareandhoundspub.co.uk areas of The Octagon Police 999 Tel: (02392) 631433 Damage: In case of damage to gates, signs or Compton: The Coach & Horses misuse of footpaths contact: www.coachandhorsescompton.com www.westsussex.gov.uk/prow Tel: (02392) 631228 Taxi Services: Dunnaways (01243) 782403; West Marden: The Victoria Inn Michaela (02392) 472782 www.victoriainnwestmarden.co.uk ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Tel: (02392) 631330 Hooksway: The Royal Oak Thanks to the South Downs National Park Authority, www.royaloakhooksway.co.uk the Ministry of Design agency, County Tel: (01243) 535257 Council, The Octagon Community and the many local walkers who helped describe and test each B&Bs & SELF-CATERING COTTAGES walk. Lordington House B&B: hamiltonjanda@ MEASUREMENTS & TIMES btinternet.com Tel: (01243) 375862 All measurements including time to complete Pitlands Farm: individual walks are approximate and for guidance www.pitlandsbarns.co.uk only. Short distances are in yards (1 yard = 0.91 Tel: (02392) 631263 metre) and long distances in miles (1 mile = 1.6km). West Marden Farmhouse: www.keepers.holidaycottageswestsussex.com Tel: (02392) 631761 © The Octagon Parish. Every attempt has been made to ensure details are correct at time of going to print. The Octagon Parish cannot accept responsibility for errors or omissions, or for loss, damage or injury, however caused, arising from use of this leaflet. Contains Ordnance Survey data. © Crown copyright and database right 2013.