In the footsteps of artist - Ivon Hitchens
Distance:
<10 miles. 5-6 miles
Location:
West Sussex
Type:
Easy
Duration:
2-3 hours
Enjoy a beautiful circular walk in the landscapes around Lavington Common and Duncton Mill that inspired Ivon Hitchens.
Fairly flat, one short hill. Uneven sandy terrain and potentially muddy woodland tracks.
Ivon Hitchens
Modern British landscape painter Ivon Hitchens (1893-1979) lived and worked at Lavington Common from 1940 until his death in 1979. Painting in the open air around his Sussex home, Hitchens sought to capture the essence of the place and the resulting paintings, featuring swathes of bright colour, brought him international acclaim and a place in museums and collections around the world.
Rather than the dramatic backdrop of the Downs, it was the woods and heathland around his house that enthralled Hitchens. Turning his back on the majestic line of hills he would direct his canvas instead to the changing light in a forest clearing or the reflections on a millpond – always exploring nature’s shifting perspectives. For more information about Ivon Hitchens, and to see some of his work visit: Pallant Gallery in Chichester.
The Serpent Trail
The Serpent Trail is a 64-mile waymarked route which ‘snakes’ its way from Haslemere to Petersfield through stunning heathland.
Heathland Sculpture Trail
Inspired by stories from communities and drawing upon sources as diverse as the poet Tennyson and a 394-year-old local map, seven bespoke stone carvings have been made as part of the Heathlands Reunited National Lottery Heritage funded project. The Sculpture Trail links seven heathland sites in the National Park, allowing the intricately carved characters of the heath tell the unique story of the history, wildlife and people of each site. Find the sculpture at Lavington Common
Directions
- The first half of the walk follows the Serpent Trail. Head out of the Lavington Common car park to the south (the track behind the circular walk sign) and join the Serpent Trail.
- Cross the heathland of Lavington Common and go straight on as you approach woodland. Bear right still following the Serpent Trail and continue until you reach Heath End.
- Turn left on the pavement and carefully cross the A285 by the Farm Shop. Taking the track almost opposite (Serpent Trail) continue until you reach Burton Park Road.
- Take care crossing the road, stay on the Serpent Trail following the signs to Burton Park Farm.
- At Black Pond leave the Serpent Trail (which turns left to the pond) and continue straight ahead towards the tiny Burton Park church (dating from 1075) before bearing right along the farm track.
- Where the track bends right go straight ahead onto the footpath over grassland and through an iron gate by Chingford pond. This local nature reserve is a good place to see birds and dragonflies.
- Continue along the path and follow the field edge. Climb through a copse with the trees on your right turning right at the end.
- Follow the footpath to Dye House Lane and turn right past Duncton Mill, continuing until you reach the A285.
- Turn left here for the Cricketers pub or carefully cross the road and turn right on the pavement towards Duncton Village. Then turn left at Willetts Close and head over a stile past the school.
- Cross the field behind the school up to a gate and turn left following the footpath down along the field edge before turning right at the fingerpost.
- Turn left onto a farm track towards Ridlington Farm. After the barn, bear left onto the footpath crossing the field and through a small group of trees.
- Emerge at Westerlands Farm. Turn right towards the buildings and turn left immediately after the house, heading up the road for approx. 500m.
- Turn right onto a farm track near some houses and continue going straight through a kissing gate. Follow the footpath across Lavington Common until you reach Duncton Common Road. Carefully cross the road and return to the car park.