A COUNTRY WALK AROUND BOLNEY   ~   South West

(  This walk has been researched and produced by Footprints of Sussex. It is one of a series of twelve similar walks in Mid Sussex. Laminated copies of all twelve walks - which feature many colour photographs - are available by sending a cheque for £16 made payable to ‘Footprints’ at: - Pear Tree Cottage, Jarvis Lane, Steyning, West Sussex BN44 3GL. For more information about walking in Sussex visit website: www.footprintsofsussex.co.uk  )

Start & Finish   :  The recreation ground in the main street of Bolney     

Distance         :   4 miles ( 6 kms) Allow 2 hours.

Terrain          :   A relatively level area of vines, orchards and mixed farming with a wooded walk besides the mill ponds.                                                

Stile Count     :   7

Toilets             :   In the car park at Bolney or see below .

Refreshments :   The Eight Bells Inn is open all day from 11 am (12 noon Sundays) and serves good value bar snacks until 3 pm.

  From the car park turn left, cross the road and head slightly downhill. In only 50m after passing the house called ‘Leacroft’ turn right to follow the footpath fingerpost between a hedge on your left and a high brick wall on your right.

  Bolney takes its name from two Saxon words, meaning ‘Bolla’s Island’.  It was probably high ground surrounded by marsh and dominated by the Bolla Tribe. During recent excavations under the main street Saxon road timbers were found suggesting this was an old route into St. Leonard’s Forest to the north.

  This path is pleasant and straight and in 400 m exits over a stile onto a tarmac road. Across the road there are two drives leading ahead. Take the left hand one and walk down between the vines to the large wooden gate on your right.

  This is Bookers Vineyard, established in 1983. The present 7 acres is soon to be expanded to 12 acres with 9 varieties of grape – predominantly Chardonnay, Schonburger & Rondo. Winemaker Samantha Linter has won several prizes here in both national and international competitions and you are very welcome to call in to the new wine shop and taste some of Sam’s recent vintages. Buy a bottle or two and pick them up later.

  Continue the walk from the wooden gate along the drive to the left of the main house. On entering the grounds of Bookers Farmhouse ignore the path to the right and continue ahead to swing left in front of the house and cross a stile besides a wooden gate. Head diagonally down the small grassy field at the bottom of which you cross a stile and then a stone bridge over a small stream. Turn right into the next field. In the right hand corner look carefully for a gap in the hedge which leads to a stile into a large open field. Turn half left to cross the centre of the field and a fingerpost will soon come into sight leading you over two more stiles onto a tarmac drive. Turn right along the drive. There is a delightful row of tall lime trees here, which don’t quite hide the house to your left.

  These limes form a beautiful avenue and in July the heady fragrance of their flowers attracts many bees making the trees important in honey production. The grand house behind is Ormonde Hall, shown on early maps as a simple farmhouse dating back to the 15^th cent.

The Horsham Stone roof sits atop the original building, which has clearly been much enlarged and restored. It is now a delightful private residence. 

  On reaching the next tarmac drive turn left, heading south and continue down to the A 272. Crossing very carefully, turn left then immediately right down the road leading to Coombe House. Pass Purvey’s Farm and walk ahead up the road to the top of the rise. Just before the large house turn left to follow a footpath fingerpost leading along the top edge of a field.

  To your left there is now a pleasant view of the walk you have covered so far. The main road almost forms a clear line between the Low & High Wealds with their quite different geologies - as clay gives way to sand and the vegetation changes from tall, strong trees to the smaller bushes of holly, rhododendron and hawthorn.

  The path makes a detour around the wooded pond and at the far side of this field meets a footpath running left to right inside the hedgeline. Do not cross the stile but instead turn left and then almost immediately right through a metal gate following the fingerpost. You should now be in a field with a large electricity pylon. Walk between the hedge and the pylon and cross a solid stile into the next field. On reaching the next stream continue ahead to reach the public road. Cross straight over and walk up the concrete drive leading to Garston’s Farm.

  Note here the interesting use of an empty case of Chateau Gloria claret.   Although not quite of  ‘Cru Classe’ status this excellent wine from St. Julien nevertheless speaks volumes about the good taste of our Sussex farmers!

  Pass besides the mechanical gate through the farmyard and at the next metal gate turn right to pass besides the beautifully proportioned, tile-hung farmhouse and the timber-framed barn. On joining a gravel drive, swing left to follow it through the hedgeline. Follow this obvious track ahead, ignoring all crossing paths to reach the converted barn at the southern end of a line of tall trees.  In front of the barn - before the trees - turn left and follow their line northwards.

  At the T-junction of paths turn right to pass besides the lake.

  This is the lower of two original Bolney Mill Ponds and a watermill stood here throughout the 1700’s.    In 1903 the renowned Sussex historian, E.V. Lucas, stood here and remarked: -

  “ The reverberation of the sound of the eight bells of Bolney coming off the water is peculiarly striking”.  Today much of this beauty is sadly lost to the noise of the motorcar.  

  At the corner of the lake turn left to follow the footpath heading north again. At the junction of paths in the woods take the left turn to pass between the upper and lower lakes.  

  At various times, the reed beds here are home to Swans, Canada Geese, Coot and occasionally a visiting Cormorant coming up from the coast. Sit quietly and watch awhile.

  The broad and pleasant track leads out of the wood back to the A272. Cross carefully to the nursery side and turn left along the pavement. In 50 m follow the first metal footpath sign to the right, which leads up a tarmac drive to the church. At the top of the drive take the path into the churchyard.

The church of Mary Magdalene is well worth a visit. John Bolney built the tower in 1536 and it houses a very rare full peel of eight bells. Together the eight bells weigh just over 3 tons.  

To the left of the door beneath the tower is an inscription in the stone reading “This steple is 66 foot”.   Look also for a scratch dial at chest height in the south wall of the nave, just where it narrows into the chancel. A stick placed in the centre hole would form a simple sundial giving the time for the next mass or bell ringing.  On this south side of the graveyard you will also see the strange ‘Barrel Graves’ dating back to the 1600’s. No other church in England has so many of these unique and extraordinary features.

  After visiting the church continue along the path and at the fork keep left to cross a millstone in the path just before the splendid lychgate. A second millstone is crossed before the steps lead down to the main street and the welcoming sight of the Eight Bells Inn. Turn right from here past Walnut & Well Cottages, home to 16^th. century charcoal burners, and a five minute stroll will return you to the recreation ground car park.

***********************************

  Note:

It is hoped that further walks will be written down by members of the community for reproduction in this website.