Wolstonbury Hill explore nature walk
This walk takes you through beech woodland at the base of the hill and across open grassland to the top of the hill. Upon reaching the summit, you'll be rewarded with panoramic views of the weald, the sea and the downs, including Newtimber Hill and Devil's Dyke. This walk is best in spring when bluebells and wild garlic can be found in the woodlands.
Near to
Devil's DykeStart point
Jack & Jill Inn, Clayton, West Sussex, grid ref: TQ 29839 14240Trail information
Total stages: 10
Total stages: 10
Start point
Jack & Jill Inn, Clayton, West Sussex, grid ref: TQ 29839 14240
Stage 1
Begin at the Jack & Jill Inn. From the pub entrance turn right onto the main road (Brighton Road). Walk for approximately 20m and turn right onto New Way Lane and walk for 250m.
Stage 2
Turn left onto the public bridleway which is surfaced for 350m but could be muddy thereafter. Walk straight on and continue up the slope. You'll pass the National Trust Wolstonbury Hill signpost on your right (in spring the banks either side of the signpost are covered in bluebells). Continue walking up the slope for 380m until you reach a gate on your right.
Stage 3
Go through the gate on your right (look out for nesting buzzards) and follow the left, sunken track down the hill (if it's boggy, take the higher track and walk up the steps to your left to the gulley). After approx 20m, turn left off the sunken track up the slope and follow the informal path at the top of the bank. Walk past the steps and continue following this track through a small gulley in an open cleared area until you reach three wooden posts ahead of you. Bear left at these posts and turn right through a gate onto a public bridleway. Follow the bridleway and go through the gate ahead of you.
Stage 4
Continue along the bridleway for 270m. Cross the stile on your left and walk straight ahead along the bottom of the chalk quarry and up the chalky path to the quarry edge. Bear slightly right towards the trees in front of you across the grass. As you get closer you'll see a gate at the left corner of the woodland.
Stage 5
Go through the gate and take the path right of the large beech tree. Follow the path winding through the woods and continue walking down the slope. Walk between the large root plates of two fallen beech trees. Go down the steps; the path will bear left. At this corner is an example of box hedging planted as game cover over a century ago by the Danny Estate. In front of you on the right is a fallen yew growing into a hedge. Continue until you reach the bottom of the steep hill. At the bottom of the sloped path steps carry straight on until you reach a small half fence (to stop horses) and turn left onto the main bridleway.
Stage 6
After a short distance take the right-hand path which crosses a stile and then follows the edge of the woodland. When you reach the open grassland, turn right, following the edge of the woodland. You will then reach a fork: go left uphill past a large sycamore tree. Continue walking uphill through the open woodland until you reach a stile.
Stage 7
Cross the stile and follow the path. Continue to the yellow way-marker post and bear left. When you reach scrubby bushes turn left, heading towards the chalky mounds of the old Victorian chalk quarry, keeping them to your left. You'll then come to a ditch, keep on the left side of the fence and cross the ditch. Head uphill and bearing left. Walk up the chalky steps leading to a stile at the top of the hill.
Stage 8
Cross the stile and walk straight uphill, keeping the chalk quarry to your left (from March listen out for skylarks). After a few minutes you'll enter the Bronze Age enclosure represented by a ditch and bank running around the top of the hill. Head towards the concrete trig point in the distance. When you reach the trig point, look ahead of you and you'll see the Jack and Jill windmills. Take in the 360 degrees panoramic view of the downs, the sea and weald. Head in the direction of the windmills, following the path downhill. Going downhill you should be able to see your trail route starting from the Jack and Jill pub in front of you.
Stage 9
Cross over the stile that is left of the gate and walk for 4 170m and bear left, heading towards the woodland. Walk with the woodland on your left until you reach a stile on the left in the woods.
Stage 10
Cross the stile and follow the path through the wood for 130 metres. Look out for wild garlic and bluebells in spring. At the fork turn right (look out for the large beech tree on your right) and walk down the steps across the bridleway straight on the path until you reach a National Trust Wolstonbury Hill signpost on your right. Turn left at the signpost walking downhill and go through the gate following the gravel road. At the bottom of the road turn right onto New Way Lane and continue walking for 10 minutes (780 metres). At the bottom of the lane is your starting position at the Jack and Jill pub.
End point
Jack and Jill pub, Clayton, West Sussex, grid ref: TQ 29839 14240
Trail map
Wolstonbury Hill explore nature walk map | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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