Country walk: Wepham Woods

Two miles east of Arundel are Warningcamp and Wepham Downs and the woods of Angmering Estate for this 4.2 miles (6.8 kms) walk through woods and across downland.

Grass verge parking on sharp bend on minor road at TQ046074.

Take the track north-east past Hill Barn into old woodlands to a fivecrossway.

Turn right along Monarch’s Way and then soon left on the second of two blue bridle-way signs running north-east.

This takes you into Tenantry Copse along an old shaw way with hazel woods and old beech trees on the banks.

These supply woodpeckers and nuthatches with food and nesting sites and marsh tits also nest here.

Deep pits along the way show where flints were once quarried to make this track hard enough for timber carts.

After about a mile you emerge from the wood called Drillsfield

Copse which presumably had some connection to the military.

Follow the hedge of oaks and hawthorns.

Soon you can see a view of Houghton Chalk Quarry, Arundel Castle and Bignor Hill.

Cross the coll of Barpham Hill after 400 yards keeping the trig point to your left.

Wonderful views here of the downland plateau.

Turn sharp right to Upper Bartham Farm and stay south-west through the fields downhill taking the blue arrow right off the farm road.

There are pine woods to your left, and open meadows right at Upper

Oldfield Copse.

Patches of downland here have wild flowers including wild strawberries.

Soon you re-join Monarch’s Way which is a smooth metalled track running south-west into the beech plantations.

Stay on this road south-west through Upper Wepham Woods back to the five crossways we passed earlier in the walk.

Now go to the right, north-west, along Monarch’s Way down a slippery path to see a lovely piece of chalk grassland around the steep quarry slopes.

Wild roses, jack-go-to-bed-at-noon, bird’s-foot trefoil, spotted orchids are among the many flowers here.

Now keep left and left again to go back to your car otherwise you will end up in either Arundel or Amberley.