Walk: Binsted Woods
The distance of 2.3 miles (3.5 kms) is about as far as you would want to go in these woods if there has been a lot of rain but slithering about in a lot of mud can be exciting and fun.
It reminds me of my school days playing footer or rugger though the days of striped red and white shirts and studded boots are long behind me.
Even more fun was jumping into the swimming pool afterwards to clean off (thereby breaking several school rules and thoroughly annoying the groundsman!). Happy days.
Hopefully the rain will have held off – and the ground will be reasonably solid underfoot.
My grandfather used to live here towards the end of the 19th century, so I always feel I am on ‘home ground’ when walking here.
‘Pa’ (as he was known) related in his 1888 dairy a record of what he used to shoot in these woods, getting pigeons, pheasants and rabbits for the pot.
Although he lived the life of a
‘gentleman’ he had very little money and depended on his skill for food and for selling for some extra income.
He loved the whole area and was always out walking around.
Today there is the constant threat of the proposed route of the Arundel bypass hanging over the place so make the most of it while you can – mud or no mud.
Binsted Lane runs south off the A27 and there are one or two places to leave your car at SU994063. A footpath runs east into Tortington Common at the end of the lane near a house. Pines were planted over hazel coppice, but clumps of dark green butcher’s broom resembling miniature holly trees show the wood to be ancient.
Also the path is an ancient track as is shown by the deep drainage ditches on either side, making it a medieval rue, or safe-way, through the mire. A footbridge crosses the stream which once fed into the ancient duck decoy near Ford (see map).
At Tortington Lane turn left for 100 yards then left again back into the pine woods going north-west. You cross that stream again, higher up. Then you come back to and cross Binderton Lane, making a left/right dog-leg by a house. Beech, yew, and Lawson cypress have been planted here and there.
In winter you could see gangs of up to 50 titmice combing these trees for insects and seeds, but by now most of these will have mating and nesting on their minds, so you will hear them singing their heads off to maintain their bit of territory. All five common species may be seen here: great, blue, marsh, long-tailed, and cole.
Pendulous sedge forms enormous bouquets of spear-shaped leaves in the ditches.
At the crossways take the bridleway first left. After about 400 yards you come to another crossways. Turn left along the footpath which now runs south. It is not always easy to find the path as people wander about on their own tracks here.
The wood resembles Plugstreet Wood in France as it is today. That is where my father spent Christmas 1914, when it was a ruinous mess of stricken trees under shell bombardment.
Today the wood has recovered and is a most peaceful place. Today both Plugstreet and Binsted wood have masses of honeysuckle which feeds the caterpillars of the white admiral butterfly, which can be seen on the wing later in the summer. Look out now for the early butterflies, particularly the bright yellow of the brimstone.
Eventually you will come back to the road where you turn left back to your car.