Chalton walk on 27th March 2024

A mere eight hardy souls gathered in the Fox Goes Free car park at Charlton for our short 3 mile walk. The weather forecast wind and rain, but we were bathed in sunshine on the way to the walk and we felt we were prepared for the heavens offerings. Setting off on Charlton Road past North Lane starting the climb up to Levin Down with the wind whistling around our ears, we took the left path once we were on the Down and took the benefit of the bench to get our breath back and admire the views across to Goodwood Grandstand and the Trundle. The rain started before we left Levin Down Clump so more rain gear was donned and erected for the rest our walk across the fields of Levin Down into Lady Wood. A perfectly placed fallen tree provided seating and table for our coffee break as the woods sheltered us from the increasing rain. By the time we left Lady Wood, the rain was certainly persistent but we were soon on a more solid track past Broadham House with it’s manicured garden when we turned onto the New Lipchis Way for a short while before choosing the bridlepath leading down the east slope of Levin Down on chalk to the West Sussex Literary Trail on North Lane. By this time the rain was running off the waterproof tops and soaking the trousers of those who were not fully kitted out so we squelched back to the cars earlier than planned. The Fox Goes Free were happy to see us turn up early and allowed us to warm up and steam gently in front of their fires before feeding us fantastic food and drink.