Club Walks

Ted Fisher co-ordinates the Club Walks programme for 2021 - he has confirmed the dates of all walks through this year and they are listed on the "Club Diary" webpage. Brief details of each walk we have done since 2017 are show below on this webpage

2023 Walks

14th November 2023 Ferring: THE MONTHLY WALK THAT NEARLY NEVER WAS.

Only eight Probus walkers decided to fight the atrocious weather conditions and set out on the perilous journey Bruce had prepared for them. On the walk visibility was limited due to the torrential rain and a photo wasn’t sensible but the stalwart walkers pushed on hoping to make their final destination, The Tides Restaurant by lunchtime.  

Neither the weather nor time was on our side and then disaster struck, after a quick headcount we realised four members of the group were missing. The appointed back marker,  Bruce's wife Maura had miserably failed to fulfil her responsibility and had simply lost them. We diligently searched high and low and eventually they were spotted through the mist and rain but appeared totally disorientated, turning this way and that. A call went out from Bruce and other members of the group yelled out in desperation and eventually they heard us and made their way back to join the group, shaken not stirred. 

A short stop was made at Ferring Community Centre for light refreshments to replace the essential carbohydrate loading used up on the first part of the walk. 

After reviving our bodies Bruce felt he should consult the group on whether to take on the exposed walk by the sea and the decision was made to stay inland to avoid the monstrous waves believed to be crashing over parts of the walk. 

Regrettably things didn’t improve and with the menacing skies further darkening and with the threat of thunder and lightning, Bruce unilaterally felt duty bound to get the team back safely to the starting point where we had left the cars, half expecting them to be submerged under water from the heavy rain.  

Fortunately the cars were still visible and after changing out of our sodden clothes and muddy boots we trekked the final one hundred yards to the restaurant where we were joined by a further six people for lunch.

12th September 2023 Cissbury Ring

A select group of eight set off in fine walking weather to this outstanding historic site - the second largest hill fort in Britain.  On reaching the first rampart we started on our tour of 2000 years into the past from Neolithic flint mines, Bronze Age barrows, Iron Age hill fort, Roman occupation, Medieval vantage point against the Vikings, Tudor beacon warning for the Armada to modern times via World War 2, with the addition of ancient folklore and myths.  We were treated to stunning views, 360 degrees of coast and downland plus some interesting additions to our group - a herd of wild ponies!  Lunch was at the Black Horse, Findon, where two other members joined us.

August 2023

We had an interesting walk organised by Ted Fisher around Shoreham harbour and were lucky that the weather didn’t spoil the tour of the decorative and varied house boats, some in a state of disrepair and restoration

25th July 2023

The July walk was a visit to Shoreham Fort organised and led by Bruce Tompson.

14th June 2023

The June walk was organised and led by Simon Powlson.

9th May 2023

The May walk was organised and led by Alan Price.

15th February 2023

A good turnout of 18 of us did the walk, organised by Tim Healey, from the Highdown Gardens (Goring) over Highdown Hill to the old windmill near Ecclestone Manor (near Angmering). Then back to the Botanic Gardens and lunch at the Highdown Pub. We were joined by one non walker to make it 19 for lunch. Weather was wonderfully sunny and mild throughout the walk. ( we started the walk just after early morning mist cleared ).  Ground conditions were relatively dry with very few patches of mud.   

2022 Walks

8th November 2022

A walk along The Broadwalk from Adur Recreation Ground to Shoreham Fort at the Harbour Entrance, organised by Ted Fisher, was cancelled due to the inclement weather.

11th October 2022

Led by Stuart Arnold, a lovely sunny day greeted the 11 walkers setting off from Midhurst car park heading north west out of the town by the river Rother on part of the relatively new Lipchis Way. Breaking off from the river the path headed towards the 1102 acre Woolbeding estate now owned since 1957 by the NT. A fine view of the house and some of the gardens was afforded from the climb up across the fields. At this point the spectacular glasshouse was visible which draws inspiration from the Victorian ornamental terrariums and features ten glass and aluminium ‘sepals’  which take four minutes to open on hydraulic rams, creating an immense 141m2 space in the shape of a crown.

Crossing over on the Serpent Way to Midhurst Common with views to the downs the walk passed the site of the old Midhurst sand pit and brickmaking works which had taken full advantage of its location next to the old Petersfield to Midhurst railway. Nature had encased a lot of the industrial past but provided an interlude to talk about the three railways that once served Midhurst (from Pulborough, Petersfield and Chichester, each with its own station!) and the ups and downs of the Brickworks from 1913 to 1985.

The walk finished back in Midhurst from the opposite end of the town with a hearty lunch at the Wheatsheaf pub.

9th August 2022

On 9th August, in spite of predicted high temperatures, a small group of 13 members and friends followed a short walk around Steyning led by David Barnard.

After noting some of the historical buildings in Church Street we then followed rural tracks across local fields where there was some welcome shade from the sun. The walk finished along the High Street passing many of the individual shops which make Steyning unique these days.

Eight of us then enjoyed a sociable lunch together at the Castle Inn in Bramber.

10th May 2022

The group of 13, lead by Tim Healy, meet in the canal trust car parking area just beyond the overflow car park for the Onslow Arms pub just off the B2133 just south of Loxwood village where they followed sections of the restored Wey and Arun Canal. They then all adjourned to have lunch at “The Sir Roger Tichborne”.

12th April 2022

8th March 2022

Nineteen club members started the walk on a beautiful sunny day, led by Bruce (Tompson), with his wife Maura, who confesses to having little sense of direction, stationed at the back with responsibility for not losing anybody.

We started off on The Ilex Way at Goring, one of the best-known avenues of Holm Oaks in Great Britain. Originally the main carriageway to Goring Hall with large ornate wrought iron gates, removed and melted down during WW2 as part of the war effort. Surprisingly there has been talk in the past to tarmac the pathway and also to build five hundred homes on the adjacent Goring Gap. Hopefully neither of these changes take place and the beauty of the area is preserved for future generations to enjoy.

We walked into Old Ferring where houses here are over two hundred and fifty years old and have internal features that suggest mediaeval origins. Originally the village hub providing all retail and local services, it also stored contraband brought up The Ferring Rife by smugglers. The historic church originally built-in wood in 791 was re-built in stone by the twentieth century

The walk continued through the village onto the Ferring Rife, over the fields and onto Angmering-on-Sea. Here we stood outside Sea Lane House, a rather boring looking 1930s house that hid some remarkable facts.

1. It is the only house in Britain designed by Marcel Breuer the renown Hungarian-American architect, ranked among the most influential architects of the twentieth century and responsible for buildings such as the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York and the UNESCO HQ in Paris.

2. The house is considered one of the most distinguished examples of twentieth century architecture on the South Coast and Grade 2 listed

3. It is the only surviving pre-war building in Europe by Breuer.

4. It’s considered the best-preserved example of Breuer’s early architectural work anywhere in the world.

And yet most people I imagine walk past and just see it as an ugly building, what a shame.

We reached the coastline at Kingston Gorse to be met by a very strong easterly wind, the direction we had to walk in towards Patterson’s Walk. This area has been the home of many celebrities over the years: Flanagan and Allen, the owners of the Dodge car manufacturer, Raymond Massey and more recently Des Lynam and Robin Cousins. The Bluebird Café built in 1920 served as a NAFFI for Canadian troops during WW2 and along the beach the pill box, one of many built along the South Coast but is now one of only two left between Selsey and Shoreham.

Finally, we crossed Goring Greensward and saw the remaining flint wall of the southern boundary to Goring Hall exposed by the 1987 hurricane. Here the sea has been encroaching inland for 500 years and the high-water mark was over 250 yards south of where it is today.

We returned via The Planation to the Ilex Way, stopping to look at ‘glimpses’ of Goring Hall, originally built as one of the seaside mansions, fashionable in the 1800s.Rebuilt after a serious fire in 1888, it was later sold for development and is now a private hospital.

Maura reported we ended the walk with nineteen walkers who I assumed were the same ones we started with. Lunch was at The Tides Restaurant, a popular family run concern, where we were joined by two further members.

In brief: it was beautiful weather, I hope interesting, lasted about two hours and was approximately 4 miles long.

11^th January 2022

One walk, two castles and three churches

Alan Price ably assisted by Judith as sweeper, lead the January circular walk from Bramber on a rather damp but dry day.

Twenty Probus members and wives met at the car park in the middle of Bramber and after a short talk on the post Norman Conquest history of Bramber the group set off north via the earliest post Norman church built in Sussex, St Nicholas, built about 1073. The church had benefited from major changes and restorations in the middle of the 19^th century and again in 1931 but still retained many of its Norman features in addition to the Royal Coat of Arms of Queen Anne.

A short climb up to the site of Bramber castle followed.   The castle had been built on high ground overlooking what was then the wide estuary of the River Adur at the same time as the church.  Unlike the church the castle built by William de Braose, 1^st Lord of Bramber, had been allowed to fall into decay by the 16^th century with some of the stone and flint being used for road building.  All that we had to gaze at was the remaining 30 feet high part of the keep which is such a prominent landmark in Bramber, we had to imagine what it used to be like when it was defending the Rape of Bramber. 

After a short walk along Castle Lane we headed off on a footpath across the valley and over the river to our second church visit.  St Peters at Upper Beeding, another Norman church built in about the 12^th century.  After appreciating the Norman architecture we headed back down to the river and then south to Bramber bridge past the salting fields where salt was collected when the valley was a wide estuary and ships were able to sail up to Steyning port.

We continued on the footpath down the side of the river until we cut off to visit the last of the three Norman churches at St Botolphs.  Here again we could see that there had been major alterations to the original building which is now maintained by the Churches Conservation Trust.

Having decided that three churches in one day was quite enough we headed north along the Downslink path back to our cars.  Having walked over 4 miles on what at times were some quite muddy footpaths we were ready to be welcomed at our final destination at the Castle Inn and Hotel which had set aside the appropriately named Bramber Room for us.  After all the exercise some indulged in sharing puddings and even one or two had puddings all to themselves!

2021 Walks

9th November 2021

ORGANISED by Ted Fisher        Weather ideal, overcast but great for walking.

WALK DESCRIPTION:   FINDON – The Gallops Bridleway – High Salvington Mill – Honeysuckle Lane – Downs – Long Furlong – Findon Cricket Ground- Findon Church -Rogers Farm – Car Park.

MEETING POINT: 10.00am start 10.15am. Small Car Park at the Lower End of Bost Hill.

START: Walked along the top of the Gallops recreation ground to the zig zag Bridlepath which is a steepish short climb up a tarmac path with handrails to join the end of Furze Road near High Salvington Windmill. A pause to view the Mill and grounds before continuing a few hundred yards to the lower end of Honeysuckle Lane, which continued onto the downs, eventually we would have had fabulous views seaward of the Rampion Windfarm and westward toward the Solent and Isle of Wight. However misty conditions prevented this. We continued onto a track along the top of Long Furlong. Here our only stile then downhill along a track by Findon Cricket Ground to The Church of St John the Baptist dating from the 11^th Century. A short walk down the lane past Findon Place then along a track passing Rogers Farmhouse, Stables and eventually returning to the Car Park.

WALK DISTANCE approx. 6.0k (3.7 miles) 2 hours leisurely pace with stops to review.

LUNCH – The Black Horse Pub, Findon. 12.30pm. Very good menu enjoyed by all.

22 joined in the Walk, however, personal commitments meant only 19 remained to lunch.

12th October 2021

Mike Brett lead a relaxed stroll around some of the outskirts of Horsham. The 3.5 mile walk started in central Horsham. We strolled along the Causeway the most scenic road in the town admiring the 500 years of the styles of architecture. The route took us past the Old Town Hall, scene in 1949 of the trial of John Haigh the "Acid Bath Killer", along Pump Alley before stopping at the Drill Hall where many notable local events have taken place over the years. We then entered Chesworth Farm a 60 Acre protected area of paths, water meadows and ancient hedgerows. After following a section of the Arun riverside path we then paused at an information board depicting some of the wildlife to be found in the locality. By this point we were close to Chesworth House a former Tudor Manor House with a varied history not least being where Catherine Howard one of Henry the VIII's wives spent her childhood. Joining the Pedlars Way we soon had to recognise that this forms part of the cycle route from Southwater to Horsham. Fortunately the cyclists we encountered were very considerate! After a short stretch of woodland walking we entered into open fields giving us a vista over Horsham with the North Downs in the distance. With a herd of cows straddling the path a short diversion was then necessary! This took us down the hill and over the railway footbridge and back to the Causeway. There was just time to admire two Blue Plaques one to Hammond Innes the Author and the other to Geoff Duke who broke the World air speed record in 1953. Lunch was taken in a private room at Bill's Restaurant which meant we were all able to continue chatting with freedom!

14th September 2021

John Howard led a walk round Thakeham fields and West Chiltington lanes, followed by lunch at The Crown Inn, Worthing Road, Dial Post.

A brief record of 2020 walks

A brief record of 2019 walks

3rd December -Chidham Peninsular 

Organiser Simon Powlson reports:-

This was a great walk on a fabulous sunny, calm winter day for 18 of us around the Chidham Peninsula in Chichester Harbour.

It was a walk with a beach section over pebbles around the peninsula’s coastal/floodbank path at low water from the 'Old House at Home' Inn heading due east past the Church toward the Bosham Channel. On reaching the coastal path we headed south past Cobnor Hard to Cobnor Point, the most southerly point of the peninsula. We skirted around the back of the sailing club, returning to the coastal path heading up the west side of the peninsula past Nutbourne Marsh Nature reserve and back up the footpath east to Cot Lane and the Inn for lunch - what a day! A few photos are shown above.

8th October - Kirdford Walk 

Organiser Ted Hooker reports:-

This walk was based round the ancient village of Kirdford.  18 walkers completed the circuit with 2 more joining us for lunch. Amongst the walkers we were pleased to welcome Chris Guiver (Ken Guiver’s son) and his wife who were visiting from Canada.

Fortunately, we were blessed with good weather given the recent rain which made for enjoyable walking conditions if a little muddy in places. The walk took us from The Foresters Arms via an impressive stud farm past well maintained fields with friendly and inquisitive horses then through woodlands- an ancient site of iron mining - passing through a rural landscape with distant views of surrounding hills. We crossed several small bridges over streams returning to our start point after around 3.4 miles for a restorative pint and an enjoyable meal.

9 July - Stopham & Fittleworth 

Walk organiser Clive Jones reports -

"On an absolutely perfect English summer’s day with just the right temperature and not too much sun, Clive Jones led 19 intrepid explorers on this 4.6 mile walk starting at Stopham, crossing the river Arun, then along the old dismantled railway before eventually following the river Rother. After negotiating a few tricky paths through the woods, we arrived at The Swan public house in Fittleworth, where the landlady had laid on coffee, tea and biscuits for everyone. We then continued back to Stopham with lovely views over yellow oat fields and the South Downs. Four others joined us for a lovely lunch at The White Hart Inn.

(see photos above)

14 May  - Cootham/ RSPB Circular 

Alan Jeffs led this walk on a perfect sunny warm day from the Crown Inn at Cootham around the circumference of Parham airfield towards the start of the Point-to-Point racecourse, thence north on back roads and footpaths to the RSPB sanctuary at Pulborough Brooks. Pausing for an ice cream or coffee at the RSPB cafe with the return leg south via country lanes then across the Parham estate on the Literary Trail back to Cootham for a welcome lunch. Total distance for the 16 walkers (including one Bermudian guest) was 4.5 miles. - and very enjoyable.

12th March -

Our first walk of the year had to be postponed due to 'Storm Gareth' that swept through however 12 souls went to enjoy a good lunch at the Partridge Inn at Singleton anyway!! 

A brief record of 2018 walks

13th November - The Burpham Loop

Clive Jones led this final walk of 2018 - a 5-mile circular walk from Burpham on an incredibly beautiful warm November day, with stunning views over the Downs, across Arundel and beyond to the coast, with the Isle of Wight in the distance.  19 members and friends took part and 2 more joined us for lunch at the George at Burpham.

9th October - Patching & sea views

Ted Hooker arranged this circular walk from The Worlds End Pub at Patching on a glorious warm sunny autumn morning. This was a 3½ mile walk through the pretty village of Patching with its interesting church and across fields and woodland with views of the Downs and the English Channel. 

11 September - Ferring northwards 

Ted Fisher led this 4½ mile walk from Ferring towards the South Downs with 14 walkers and 2 guests for lunch which all enjoyed at The Henty Arms in Ferring village. The group set off in somewhat chilly, overcast conditions, however, all enjoyed the view from atop Highdown Hill and the gentle uphill climb and easy decent appeared to suit all.

14 August - Wey Arun Canal near Billingshurst

Roger Millard lead 16 people on this great walk over 4 miles in length passing disused remnants of Wey & Arun canal, passing Lordings Lock, crossing the River Arun and following a route along the picturesque Streele Lake on a lovely day for walking. This walk started & finished at the Limeburners public house at Newbridge where the walkers were joined by 5 other members & lunched was enjoyed. 

10 July - Wey Arun Canal near Loxwood

Alan Jeffs planned this exploration of this 4-mile route of the canal towards the north-west in the direction of Surrey, passing the recently renovated lock, ready for the next phase of reclamation, then turning north east at Barberry Bridge on the farm track towards Alford Bars. 5 walkers took part on a beautiful summer day & 3 more of us joined the lunch at “Sir Roger Tichbourne” pub at Alford Bars that is right on the Surrey/West Sussex border

5 June - Chichester Canal

Chairman Simon Powlson arranged this 4 miles walk on cool breezy morning south of Chichester for 13 of us. Setting out from The Blacksmiths at Donnington we joined the Chichester Canal going westwards towards Chichester Harbour (although we had planned to go eastwards into Chichester city - never mind we enjoyed it anyway!)  We stopped for coffee at the Chichester Yacht Basin then returning to Donnington for a nice lunch at The Blacksmiths.

8 May - Houghton

John Howard organised this walk on a beautiful, warm and sunny morning for 11 walkers. We started out from the George & Dragon pub on the B2139 road in Houghton and enjoyed this walk of over 3 miles that initially followed the 'Monarch's Trail' onto the South Downs, crossed the A29 London - Bognor main road, joined the South Downs Way down into the Arun Valley then returned to Houghton where we were joined by 4 other friends for lunch at the pub.

10 April - Angmering Estate 

Mike Brett gathered 11 walkers on a dull un-springlike morning that started at The Woodman Arms at Hammerpot to proceed over the next 2 hours through the Estate & returned to the pub where 3 more friends joined the walkers for lunch.

13 March - Amberley Downland with great views

John Keayes arranged this event for 14 walkers who started and ended this on a fine springlike morning at the Bridge Inn at Houghton Bridge. This 5½ mile circular walk passed North Stoke then ascended the hills with splendid views over the Arun Valley then joined the South Downs Way to return to Houghton Bridge where 6 more friends joined us for lunch at the Inn.

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Record of 2017 walks

7 November - Pulborough Brooks

Simon Powlson's walk over the Brooks to the RSPB Pulborough Brooks centre had 8 of us enjoying the company but not the wet morning. Coffee etc at the RSPB Cafe was very welcome and the return via Wiggonholt Church was warmer with a following wind. The 8 walkers were joined by 3 more friends at the White Horse pub for a lovely warm lunch in front of a blazing fire - we thought it was a good 3.5-mile energetic morning.

10 October - Wey Arun Canal at Loxwood

Ted Hooker arranged us to pre-order lunch at the Sir Roger Tichbourne pub to the north of Loxwood, then 14 of us set off to the Wey and Arun Canal Centre car park to start our 3.5 mile walk eastward on the canal tow path.  It was an overcast but dry day for a pleasant autumnal walk past restored locks as far as the interesting Drungewick Aqueduct then our walk took us through a farm to an attractive woodland area and through fields to return to the canal, passing Brewhurst Mill and its mill race.  We returned to the pub and were joined by 5 others for a good lunch.

5 September- Ferring Rife Walk

13 members met at The Henty Arms at Ferring to commence this walk organised by Ted Fisher. Weather conditions somewhat humid and overcast. Walked West Bank of the River Rife (our retired ex-SWA member deflated us by saying it is really a drainage ditch with it's source in Durrington!!) Stopped at The Bluebird Cafe for a welcome coffee and continued along the greensward into a residential section of East Preston, through fields of West Kingston returning by 12.50 pm to The Henty joining three club members who had arrived for lunch. Map my Walk gave circa 4.8/5.3 miles. An enjoyable chatty stroll with no discomfort from the odd squally showers.

8 August - Bramber, River Adur & Downs Link

7 of us started out on a beautiful warm day but halfway around an impressive thunderstorm caught up with & completely soaked us - Roger Millard's walk was therefore a VERY memorable one! 3 more people joined the wet ones to enjoy a good lunch at the Castle Inn Hotel in Bramber.

11 July - East of Ashington

12 members, associate members and families, including 3 visitors from Australia and 1 dog enjoyed this 3.5 mile walk organised by John Howard from the Red Lion pub in Ashington, crossing the A24 dual carriageway through delightful country, returning to the pub for a very nice lunch where 3 more members and wives joined the walkers. 

13 June - Parham & Pulborough Brooks

There was a good turnout of 15 people for this local walk organised by Alan Jeffs through Parham Park and the RSPB cafe overlooking Pulborough Brooks and lunch was taken with 3 more colleagues at the Crown Inn at Cootham just west of Storrington.

9 May - Eartham & Nore Hill Folly

8 of us enjoyed nice weather and beautiful bluebells on this 2-hour 4-mile walk organised by John Keayes, north of Slindon Village and 9 people then had a good lunch at The George at Eartham.

11 April - The Angmering Estate

14 people took part on this 2 hour walk of about 4.5 miles on the Angmering Estate orgainised by Mike Brett. Around 20 members and associate members then had lunch at The Woodman Arms at Hammerpot.

14 March - West Dean - Rural Art & Wild Daffodils 

13 walkers took part in this first Club walk of the year to complete 4 miles between West Dean & the South Downs Way and 20 members and associate members enjoyed lunch at The Partidge Inn at Singleton all organised by John Keayes.