The Royal Oak East Lavant and St Roche's Hill.Pages

The Royal Oak is at heart a country inn, run by people dedicated to good food, THE ROYAL OAK, EAST LAVANT warm hospitality, and personal service.

AND ST ROCHE’S HILL A circular pub walk of just over 5 miles, from The Royal Oak in East Lavant, West Sussex. The walking route explores the pretty village before heading north along the West Sussex Literary Trail to reach the summit of St Roche’s Hill. From this wonderful vantage point, you will have views across Goodwood, Chichester and the south coast. Challenging Terrain Getting there

East Lavant is located about 2 miles north of Chichester. The walk starts and ﬁnishes at The Royal Oak on Pook 5 miles Lane. The pub has its own small car park opposite for those taking refreshments.

Circular Approximate post code PO18 0AX.

At peak times, it would be more helpful for walkers to use 2.5 hours roadside parking – the best option is alongside the village cricket ﬁeld on Sheepwash Lane (close to Waypoint 1). 210618 Walk Sections

Go 1 Start to Literary Trail

Standing on the roadside pavement with your back to The Royal Oak, turn right along the pavement heading into the heart of the village. One short stretch of this road has no pavement, so take care of trafﬁc here. Once the pavement begins again it leads you steadily downhill, passing between the ﬂint cottages that are typical of a Sussex downland village. You will pass St Mary’s Church (set back from the road to your right) and then the

Access Notes

1. The walk consists of one long steady climb for the ﬁrst half (a total ascent of 170 metres), with the equivalent descent for the second half. 2. The paths are generally wide and well-made, but there are a couple of stretches that can be muddy or overgrown. 3. The main loop follows bridleways, meaning there are no stiles and only a couple of simple bridle gates along the way. You will cross two pastures that are likely to be Get the iFootpath App for a smarter walking holding sheep (and may be holding a few alpacas that experience. Hundreds of walking guides in the palm of your hand with live maps that show your are used to guard the sheep too). progress as you walk. Say goodbye to wrong 4. There is an optional detour on a footpath that takes you turns! onto the summit of St Roche’s Hill – this includes an extra kissing gate and the summit is occasionally grazed by cattle for conservation (omitting this detour will reduce the total ascent by 50 metres and reduce the walk length by about half a mile).

© Copyright iFootpath part of OneToRemember LLP THE ROYAL OAK, EAST LAVANT AND ST ROCHE’S HILL 1 impressive flint Meade House across to your left. Go through the bridle gate to enter the pasture (which is likely to be holding sheep and may also be holding alpacas that are Soon afterwards, the pavement leads you on a footbridge over used to guard the sheep). Walk straight ahead, following the line the River Lavant. This river is a winterbourne meaning that is of the hedgerow on your left. At the end of the first stretch of flows visibly above the surface in the winter and spring months, pasture, pass between the old gateposts of the now disused usually retreating underground as the water table drops in fence and, just a few paces later, you will reach a wooden summer. Immediately after the river crossing, fork right along fingerpost on your left. the side road, with the River Lavant on your right and the village cricket ground to your left. Continue to reach the third small Turn right at this fingerpost, following the grass track leading bridge across the river, marked with a public bridleway sign and you diagonally and steeply up the hillside pasture. As you climb, the entrance drive for Staple House Farm. This marks the point take time to enjoy the views that are opening up behind. As you at which we join the West Sussex Literary Trail. reach the top field boundary, pass through the bridle gate and follow the enclosed bridleway path, which continues gently uphill between hedgerows, trees and scrub.

As the trees end, keep ahead on the stone bridleway which 1 2 Literary Trail to Pasture Gate leads you between two crop fields, taking time to enjoy the views of Chichester Cathedral that have opened up to your right. Your path continues to climb steadily to reach the brow of this rise and then descends gently to pass a grand flint house on your left, The Rubbing House. Keep ahead beyond this house to reach the end of the field and you will emerge out to a junction with an access lane and track, Chalkpit Lane.

3 4 Chalkpit Lane to St Roche's Hill

Turn right to cross the bridge and join the signed bridleway, a stone driveway leading you ahead. Where the main driveway swings right, go straight ahead to join the stone bridleway path. Simply keep ahead on this enclosed bridleway. The Literary Trail is a 55-mile long-distance path running between Chichester and Horsham and celebrating the literary connections of West Sussex, including Shelley and Hilaire Belloc.

When the hedgerow on your left ends, you will have views across grass pastures with the houses of Mid Lavant visible on Our route will continue to the right (down the stone track known the far side. The path leads you into an area of rough grassland as Chalkpit Lane) shortly, but first we take an optional but and you will reach a fork in the path. Take the left-hand branch worthwhile detour to reach the summit of St Roche’s Hill, which which swings steadily left, leading you towards a concrete slab is visible ahead. Cross the access lane diagonally left to reach bridge. the large fingerpost and keep ahead on the stone track, signed to The Trundle. Do NOT cross this bridge, instead turn right immediately beforehand to continue on the path through the grassland. The track passes the car park on your right and leads you to a Further along, the path continues with hedgerows each side pair of gates ahead. Pass through the gap between these, to (and crop fields beyond them). At the end of this stretch, you will continue on the wide stone footpath. At the top of the slope, reach a bridle gate ahead, marking the start of a grass pasture. pass through the kissing gate ahead to enter the site of St Roche’s Hill. (There are occasionally cattle used for conservation grazing on this site). Keep ahead on the stone track and, after passing the first radio mast on your left, fork 2 3 Pasture Gate to Chalkpit Lane right onto a grass path which leads you directly to the trig point at the summit.

The summit of St Roche’s Hill sits at 206 metres above sea level and was once home to an Iron Age hill fort called The Trundle. The hill was also once home to a chapel (probably built in the 1400s and giving the hill its name) and a windmill (which was burnt down in a storm in 1773). Today, the summit is the site of two large radio masts.

The views are the real attraction of the hill’s summit, so take time to enjoy the panoramic vistas. To the north there are excellent views across Goodwood Racecourse and up to the South Downs ridge. To the south you will be able to make out the spire of Chichester Cathedral as well as the various inlet channels of Chichester Harbour just to the right of this. On a

© Copyright iFootpath part of OneToRemember LLP THE ROYAL OAK, EAST LAVANT AND ST ROCHE’S HILL 2 clear day you will be able to see a long stretch of the south coast and the Isle of Wight. The grass meadows that sit on the Disclaimer hillside slopes are home to plenty of wildflowers in the spring This walking route was walked and checked at the time of writing. and summer. Look out for orchids and also listen out for the We have taken care to make sure all our walks are safe for walkers shrill tunes of skylarks that often nest in this area. of a reasonable level of experience and fitness. However, like all outdoor activities, walking carries a degree of risk and we accept no responsibility for any loss or damage to personal effects, personal accident, injury or public liability whilst following this walk. We cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies that result from 4 5 St Roche's Hill to End changes to the routes that occur over time. Please let us know of any changes to the routes so that we can correct the information. Walking Safety For your safety and comfort we recommend that you take the following with you on your walk: bottled water, snacks, a waterproof jacket, waterproof/sturdy boots, a woolly hat and fleece (in winter and cold weather), a fully-charged mobile phone, a whistle, a compass and an Ordnance Survey map of the area. Check the weather forecast before you leave, carry appropriate clothing and do not set out in fog or mist as these conditions can seriously affect your ability to navigate the route. Take particular care on cliff/ mountain paths where steep drops can present a particular hazard. Some routes include sections along roads – take care to avoid any traffic at these points. Around farmland take care with children and dogs, particularly around machinery and livestock. If you are walking on the coast make sure you check the tide times before you set out.

When you have ﬁnished on St Roche’s Hill, retrace your steps heading back through the kissing gate and on to reach the junction with the access lane. Turn left to join the stone vehicle track, Chalkpit Lane, leading you steadily downhill. From this point, as you have probably guessed, it is downhill all the way. NOTE: Take care as this stone track is deeply rutted in part and can be slippery when wet.

Stay with this stone track heading south for about 1.5 miles and eventually you will emerge to a junction with the village road in East Lavant. Turn right to join the roadside pavement leading you into the village. The pavement leads you past a parking lay- by and on to reach The Royal Oak on your right for some well- earned hospitality.