Walks

Introduction

Nutbourne Place and The Annexe are set amidst some beautiful countryside in West Sussex, just on the edge of the South Downs National Park.

There are some fine walks (or cycle rides) along the top of the South Downs and nearby. Below are some of our favourite routes starting and finishing at the house.

Long sheep loop

5.0km in 1h 15m

This is quite a long walk starting in the side field and following the footpath up past the ponies and into the woods. Where the footpath in the woods splits take the leftmost fork and continue straight. Skirt along a banking until you end up at some old sheds. Go over the stile through the field towards the stile at the bottom and then through that field (being careful of sheep) up towards the gate at the top. Walk along the drive and through the wooden gate at the end, over the road (the continuation of Nutbourne Lane) and over the stile beside the metal gate. From here follow the path through two fields then along the hedge line. Near a weather beaten old tree turn right over the stile and follow the hedge line the other side and continue until you come over (or around) a cattle grid. Follow the concrete road past an attractive old house then the path that continues after than. When you reach a turning to the left take that and you are heading back towards the house, whether you decide to go through the sheep field and old orchard (as below, walk 3) is up to you!

Pond, Nyetimber and woods

4.4km in 1h 5m

Another reasonably long walk where you head off through the side field, past the neighbour’s horses (no feeding please) and through the woods. Where the path in the wood forks go left and continue along the banking until the shed. Over the stile and through the field but, rather than proceeding through the stile at the bottom of the field, turn right before it and follow the line of an old fence. Over the stile here and you will join a made road with a nice pond with lots of gunnera on your left. Continue along until you pass a triangular paddock then double back up that road and through fields until you reach another made road. Walk along this road, Gay Street, for a few hundred metres and you will see the sign and gate for Nyetimber Vineyard on your left. Hop up the banking at this point and you can walk through the vineyard for some while before turning right, down some steps and along the footpath beside an old thatched cottage and back into the woods. From here head straight downhill towards the millpond and then loop round and slightly back up to Nutbourne Place. That’s it, you’re back!

Local llama loop

2.2km in 30m

The perfect short walk if you want to exercise yourself, or the dog, in the morning or evening. From Nutbourne Place or The Annexe go out the back drive and up the hill that is Nutbourne Lane. Continue until you reach a set of steep steps on your left hand side and take these up into the field. Cross the field as the llamas (alpacas, actually!) watch you and continue through the gate. Walk another 80m or so and through another gate (dogs on leads here please) before advancing to the footpath sign to turn left and straight across the field. Go through the swing gate and next through the wooden gate through the field with the old orchard on your left. At the end of the orchard turn left, through two gates and down the drive of Lyons Farm Cottage. Hang a left to the back drive of Nutbourne Place and you’re back where you started.

Woods, lake and millpond

2.1km in 26m

This is a quick little walk starting by joining the footpath through the side field, going over the stile, past our neighbour’s horses and into the woods. Turn right when the path through the woods first forks then continue downhill with the lake on your left and go over the bridge. As you start to head uphill again veer off to the right where you’ll rejoin the path at the top of the banking. Follow this down, with the stream on your right, through the woods until you come to the millpond. Turn right onto the gravelled road then continue along passing the tennis court of Nutbourne Manor on your left. When the road forks head right and up the track beside the front garden of Nutbourne Place. Go under the bridge and you’re back.