Sussex Scrapbook
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Nature walks throughout the year
Saturday 24th April 2010
Bignor - Eartham Woods - Selhurst Park - Tegleaze - Barlavington - Sutton -
Bignor
13 miles
OS Landranger Map 197
When you go over the
top of Bignor Hill and start on the old Roman Road of
Stane Street, you really start to feel like a
Roman in Britain. You can dominate a view that hasn't changed much in
centuries and walk on the same road that those ancient invaders trod on their
way to Noviomagus (Chichester). So to be followed along the route by a Roman
soldier in full battle dress brought forth some very strange feelings. It was
uplifting, thrilling, romantic and dramatic of course, but also slightly
distressing when you consider that thousands of these conquerors marched along
this ancient highway to enforce their iron rule over England for nearly 400
years (AD 43 - 410). They didn't think too highly of us either:
“They are tall and bandy-legged with crooked bodies”
(Strabo)
“Savages” (Tacitus)
“Creatures which are half-man and half-beast live there.” (Anon)
The very friendly Roman we met today had chosen the hottest day of the year so
far to invade West Sussex and his heavy armour must have been acting like a
figure-hugging radiator long before midday even came along. His work today
though was very important and thankfully relatively benign, as he was only
exhorting taxes from the local peasants in aid of
Chestnut Tree House Children's Hospice in Arundel.
On leaving Stane Street our walk continued up and down through Selhurst park
(not the football ground), up to the top of the Downs at Tegleaze and on to
Duncton Down. A fantastically wildlife-rich area where you are forced to keep
stopping to take in all the views and peace and quiet. The final stage of this
walk is the stroll through the tiny villages of Barlavington, Sutton and Bignor,
and the stunning footpaths that join them.
This is a real gem of a walk no matter where on the earth you come from and
should certainly be compulsory for all that want to see the true richness of
Sussex at its very best. We started from Bignor church but there is very little
parking there. There are car parks dotted around the route though, notably at
Bignor Hill, Eartham Woods, Selhurst Park and Duncton Down.
The very start of the walk, just south of Bignor church.
Along the small stream that's always running off of the Downs...
and up the steep wooded path to the top of Bignor Hill...
... where we were met by Andrew the second invasion period (AD 43) Roman
soldier.
His amazing uniform was completely authentic, as were his hobnailed sandals,
which he said were very comfortable to walk in.
Gill surveys the view from Stane Street and imagines herself as a marauding
Roman invader.
(You've got to watch the quiet ones!)
The black buds of Ash trees are now in the process of bursting...
BANG!
Watch your step!
You can't get more art nouveau than mother nature.
Self-heal seemed to be blooming in every field.
Masses of butterflies too, including many Brimstones, Commas, Speckled Wood,
Orange Tip and Peacocks.
Goat Willow
Barlavington's little church surrounded by spring blooms.
Wheatear
Many of the fields had gambolling lambs in them. A perfect spring day for
everyone.