Circular walk from South Harting

Enjoy a gentle walk around the rural parish of Harting

Getting here

By bus: Buses run from Petersfield, Midhurst and Chichester. Visit traveline.info/se for full details.

By rail: The nearest railway station is Petersfield. Visit nationalrail.co.uk to plan your journey.

This walk takes you through some beautiful quintessentially English countryside with stunning views up to the rolling South Downs.

Points of interest

South Harting

Sitting at the foot of the beautiful South Downs, South Harting is home to one of the major landmarks in the Rother Valley, St Mary and Gabriel Church. The church’s copper green spire can be spotted from the top of nearby Harting Down, nestled in amongst the picturesque cottages. The village has a thriving pub and village shop which are well worth a visit.

Nyewood

At Nyewood you’ll get a clear view of the old disused railway. This line from Petersfield to Midhurst was opened on 1 September 1864, with stations in Elsted and
Rogate. The station at Rogate still stands today on the parish boundary at Nyewood, however the line closed on 5 February 1955.

Torberry Hill

As you approach South Harting from the north west you’ll see the site of the iron age hill fort on Torberry Hill to your left. Now covered in trees you can still appreciate the commanding view it once had across the landscape.

Serpent Trail

Winding 65 miles across spectacular countryside this well marked trail takes in some of the most stunning heathland in the South Downs. Following this route is a great way to spot fantastic wildlife such as shy adders, sun-worshipping lizards and the beautiful silver-studded blue butterfly. Keep your eyes on the ground for sundew, common cotton grass and a variety of heather, while above you might spot skylarks, Dartford warblers and the tuneful nightjar.

Directions

1. From the bus stop outside the White Hart Inn walk north up the road taking the road straight ahead past Harting Stores and then right onto the public footpath.
2. Just before the copse, the footpath splits. Take the path left across the open field and over the footbridge. Follow the path to Tye Oak Farm where you will join the
   lane following it round to the left before finding your next footpath on the right to Nyewood.
3. When you reach the road at Nyewood turn left (turn right to join the Rogate route at instruction 9). Continue down the road then take the first footpath on the right
   opposite the park and between the houses.
4. After following the edge of several fields the footpath splits at the hedge line, take the path left (south west) going back on yourself across the fields. At the next open
   field head up the rise to a farm track and turn right towards Quebec.
5. From the lane past Hill Ash Farm you will reach the road. Turn left and walk along the quiet lane bearing left at the top, then take the footpath on the right along the field.
6. Carefully cross the B2146 at the junction. Walk up the driveway and turn left onto the footpath before the house to continue back into South Harting to the bus stop.