Storrington Walk
WALK
New Year, new location, new walk, same old writer… Robert Veitch travelled to Storrington and uncovered a gem that gets 2022 off to a fabulous start!
F
rom North Street car park exit, turn left and walk towards Storrington High Street. At the T-junction, turn right and then turn left immediately after, into Church Street. Look up to the heights of the horizon from where the distant line of leafless trees begins to beckon. Continue past the Parish Church of St Mary Storrington, which has its foundations in the 11th century. Beyond the traffic island Church Street evolves into Greyfriars Lane and the initial, gentle ascent of the Downs commences. As the road starts to narrow, keep right at the first fork, then right again at the second fork, slightly further on. The gradient increases just a twinkle as the road degrades to a track, eventually arriving at a T-junction by a 3-way fingerpost adorned with a hydrant sign. Turn left onto the footpath and the scarp
slope proper. After 200m, bear right at the solitary fingerpost and then turn left immediately, passing the leaning tree on the way up the staircase of tree roots. As the gradient ramps up, working the legs, lungs and heart rate, those memories of Christmas parties, dinners, St Parish Church of on Mary, Storringt
presents, and celebrations will be left behind and seem ever so distant as you ascend the first Sussex Living climb of the year. Beyond the pair of fallen tree trunks, the gradient eases and the landscape opens up. Arriving at the 4-way fingerpost you will have climbed 122m (400ft) in half a mile at an average of 15% or 1:7 in old money – the toughest part of the walk is done, so pause and enjoy the view west beyond Amberley and Duncton towards Petersfield.
Turn left, and the slope becomes progressively easier on the way to the trig point that marks the summit of Kithurst Hill, which at 213m (699 feet) is the high point of the day. If the weather is generous, the panorama to the south encompasses a glorious array from Worthing to Littlehampton and Selsey Bill.
Look up to the heights of the horizon from where the distant line of leafless trees begins to beckon Continue for another 100m to the 3-way fingerpost, before turning right and downhill to the junction with the South Downs Way. Turn left and continue through the car park, passing the Chantry Post along the way to a metal barrier and a wooden 5-bar gate. Follow the lines in the grass over the brow, but not
January 2022 SUSSEX LIVING 101
Jan22 Storrington Walk.indd 101
16/12/2021 10:42
