Drovers Estate

The Drovers Estate near Singleton is part of a patchwork of agricultural land dominated by large stands of woodland.

• History
• Facilities

A bridge crosses a disused railway, once part of the Chichester to Midhurst line. This was opened in 1881 and closed to passengers in 1935. Singleton Station nearby, was built to be large enough to cope with the crowds of visitors to Goodwood Racecourse. In the valley is Cucumber Farm, which dates back to the 1700s. The name is thought to derive from 'cow-combe', relating to its use as a diary farm. In the dappled shade of Honeycombe Copse, you can find many ancient, gnarled beech trees, some planted in the 1800s to commemorate Trafalgar. The Drovers Estate was once the centre of an extensive deer park, recorded as being owned by the Earl of Arundel in 1327.

Facilities

• No formal car park, but well served by half-hourly bus, route 60.
• A self-guided walk leaflet is available as part of the National Trust’s 'Stroll the South Downs' walks pack, available by mail order for £3.50, call 01243 814554.
• For further information call the Head Warden on 01730 816638.