A Roman Ramble to Gumber Farm
This circular walk includes a Roman road across open downland, a chalky Woodland Ride known locally as 'Leper's Path,' Iron Age lynchets across a small pasture, then a narrow path winding through a spur of mature woodland back to the Roman road.
Map
Start:
Bignor Hill car park, grid ref: SU973129
1
From Bignor Hill car park, head towards the two radio masts, passing the signpost to 'NOVIOMAGUS'.
Bignor Hill 'Roman' signpost
Follow in the footsteps of the Roman soldiers towards Chichester - directions between LONDINIUM and NOVIOMAGUS Roman London and Chichester.
2
In around 275yd (250m) you will see the gravel path cut through a raised grassy bank. Bear round to your left onto the bridleway along this bank - the 'Agger' of this marvellously surviving Roman Road.
Bignor Stane Street
Where the ancient and still much-travelled South Downs Way cuts across Stane Street, East of Bignor car park.
3
In around 550yd (500m) a lane crosses the way, over which Stane Street continues through a stile (and dog-stile). Mature ash and beech cast welcome shade here in summer over a bench and grassy banks, making a great picnic spot. You'll probably need to keep your dogs on the leash down Stane Street - for much of the year it and the neighbouring grassland is grazed by sheep.
Stane Sreet stiles
Looking through the stile, and dog-stile, along the long slow rise and fall across downland of the Roman road, Stane Street, as it runs down towards Chichester. This stretch has lovely short rabbit and sheep-cropped turf - when it is warm you can take off your boots and socks to enjoy the pleasure of walking barefoot upon two thousand years of history.
4
As Stane Street nears Eartham Woods it is heavily overhung and shaded by ancient trees, whose roots writhe across the even more ancient way.
Stane Street and roots
Watch your feet on the oak roots on this part of Stane Street.
5
After around 2,000yd (1,800m) of Stane Street you reach a clearing at the 'Six-Ways' signpost (where eight ways now meet). Locally it is known as 'Shippams Poste' after this famous local family, who donated it. Take the left fork of the track nearest Stane Street back up to your left.
6
Leper's Path runs pale and chalky between tall beeches and other trees. Immature trees here are being thinned to let more light through, so the remaining trees grow to their full potential, surrounded by wildflowers and other undergrowth. We also deliberately leave piles of brush, logs, and ring-barked standing trees to provide a rich habitat for wildlife. Where the way forks, go left.
7
After a short stretch through conifers the way meets a flint-surfaced lane. Turn left here, through the gate, then diagonally up to your right and across the field at Gumber with its Iron Age lynchets - terrace-like remnants of ancient agriculture - to the stile up near the far top corner. This stile is at the foot of two mature trees, with a metal farm gate 10yd (10m) to the right.
Gumber Lynchets
Traces of Iron Age agriculture on the Downs, where loosened soil has slipped into soft banks at the bottom of strips ploughed two thousand and more years ago. Look out for remnants of agricultural work from 2,000 years ago.
8
Over the stile, the narrow path winds through mature trees and wildflowers - really lovely in the spring and early summer. At the bottom stile, turn right to rejoin Stane Street. Take it easy and enjoy the views on the way back up to Bignor Hill.
End:
Bignor Hill car park, grid ref: SU973129
