Midhurst Footpath Companions
Walking in Sussex, Hampshire and Surrey.

East Dean walk on 25th March 2026

Despite some rain early in the morning, no rain fell on Jennifer's walkers as they climbed up and down around the Charlton Forest and Eastdean Woods.  After gathering together at the Star and Garter and placing our food orders, we walked past All Saints Church and headed uphill towards Court Hill. After a short diversion into Wood Lea we emerged taking the footpath down North Down. It wasn't all that easy to follow as a tractor was busy chewing up the whole hillside but we found our way eventually down into North Lane and up to our coffee stop at the base of Wood Lea. When sufficiently refreshed we climbed up into Wood Lea and turned north along the West Sussex Literary Trail. This trail from Horsham to Chichester lets you walk in the footsteps of Shelley, Belloc, Blake, Keats and Galsworthy but is not guaranteed to improve your English!  After 1/2 a mile we turned sharply south and headed back to the Star and Garter for a very welcome lunch. The walk was about 5.3 miles

No, there were really 12 on this walk!

Plenty of primroses in the churchyard

Heading up towards Court Hill

Fairly cold and windy on the way up

and a very good day for a woolly hat!

North Down, with Goodwood in the distance

There must be a footpath across there somwhere?

Many birds feeding on the newly disturbed earth

So that's the footpath

Descent down to North Lane

Walking up North Lane, hoping for a picnic spot

That's better!

A hot drink on a cold day is very worthwhile

West Sussex Literary Trail

Bottom of the hill and the sun is out again!

Final descent to East Dean

About 5.3 miles

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