Seaward Sussex Part 14

Arundel (55-1/4 m.).

_To Chichester_ at 1-3/4 m. past Bury turn S.W.

b.a.l.l.s Hut Inn (56-1/2 m.).

Chichester (62 m.).

THE CHICHESTER ROAD VIA GUILDFORD AND MIDHURST

This route follows the Portsmouth Road from Westminster through Wandsworth and over Putney Heath to Kingston (12 m.). Here we bear left past the King's stone and then by way of the river bank through Thames Ditton to Esher (16 m.), then by the famous "Ripley Road" over Fairmile Common and through Street Cobham (19-1/2 m.).

Ripley (23-3/4 m.).

Guildford (29-3/4 m.). A prosperous and good-looking old town in danger of becoming smug and suburban; the steep and picturesque High Street, however, keeps its old time amenities. The ruins of the castle keep may be seen south of the High Street. Abbott's Hospital (1619), the Guildhall with projecting clock (1683); St. Mary's church, Norman and Early English. Note paintings in north chapel. St. Nicholas' Church has been mostly rebuilt. Our road turns left just beyond the Wey bridge and pa.s.ses under the ruins of St. Catherine's Chapel on the left. At Shalford (30-3/4 m.), bear right to G.o.dalming (34-1/4 m.) in the centre of a lovely country. Here is a large cruciform church, Norman and Early English, with interesting bra.s.ses and pulpit.

[Ill.u.s.tration: NORTH MILL, MIDHURST.]

Milford (35 m.). A long rise follows to Brookstreet (39-1/4 m.) and a dangerous drop just beyond. Haslemere (43 m.). Although the scenery is very beautiful on all sides of this once remote hamlet, the late nineteenth century saw a colonization of the slopes of Hindhead, with the attendant outbreak of red brick, which has almost completely spoilt the neighbourhood. Branch excursions may be made towards the Hampshire border and to Chiddingfold country. We cross the Suss.e.x boundary one mile south of the town and are immediately in the lonely and very lovely Blackdown country. A climb follows to Kingsley Marsh and a steep descent to Fernhurst (46-1/4 m.).

[Blackdown, the highest point in Suss.e.x (918 feet) can be easily reached from here, the distance is about two miles in each direction with woodland most of the way. The view from the summit is magnificent in every direction. Aldworth, where Tennyson died, is on a spur of the hill slightly east of north.]

Henley (48-1/2 m.). A picturesque hamlet below the road commanding magnificent views of Blackdown. A steep descent, then a road through lovely woodlands brings us to Midhurst (51 m.).

c.o.c.king (54 m.). Steep hills.

West Dean (57-1/2 m.).

Chichester (63 m.).

RAILWAY ROUTES

LONDON TO EASTBOURNE BY OXTED AND HEATHFIELD

Only slow trains, with possible change of carriage, by this route; the Eastbourne expresses run by Three Bridges and Lewes. After Croydon the long ascent between the northern slopes of the Surrey Downs extends to Woldingham Tunnel. Wide views and retrospect of the Downs. Oxted (20 m.) (church and village right).

Edenbridge (25 m.).

Hever.

Cowden. The line crosses the Kent water and enters Suss.e.x. Ashurst (Infant Medway right). Eridge (35-1/2 m.) (a good centre from which to explore north-east Suss.e.x). Rotherfield. Mayfield (scenery reminiscent of Devon). Hailsham (49-3/4 m.) for Hurstmonceux. Polegate. Eastbourne (57 m.).

LONDON TO SEAFORD BY EAST GRINSTEAD AND LEWES

(To Oxted above.) Lingfield (picturesque village and well-known racing headquarters.) West Hoathly (34 m.). (Ashdown Forest left). Horsted Keynes. Newick. Lewes (50-1/4 m.). Newhaven (56-1/2 m.). Seaford (59 m.).

LONDON TO BRIGHTON BY REDHILL AND THREE BRIDGES

This is the line of the fast expresses, and in the summer one of the busiest 50 miles of railway in the kingdom. Croydon. Purley. Merstham.

Redhill (20-1/2 m.). Express Trains pa.s.s to the left of this station (fine views). Horley. Gatwick (race-course, right). A long climb over the Forest Ridge followed by a drop to the Ouse viaduct (St. Saviour's College, Ardingley, left). Hayward's Heath (37-3/4 m.) (a suburban growth). Wivelsfield. Burgess Hill (Ditchling Beacon, left front).

Ha.s.socks (43-1/2 m.) (Clayton Tunnel). Preston Park. Brighton (50-1/2 m.).

LONDON TO Sh.o.r.eHAM AND WORTHING

Sutton (15 m.) (an outlier of villadom). Ewell. Epsom (18-1/2 m.).

Ashtead. Leatherhead (22-3/4 m.). The scenery rapidly improves and before reaching Box Hill Station attains much beauty. Dorking (26-3/4 m.). Holmwood (31-3/4 m.) (Leith Hill, right, conspicuous by its tower). Capel. Horsham (40-1/4 m.). Christ's Hospital (left).

Southwater. West Grinstead (Chanctonbury Ring, right). Henfield (52-3/4 m.). The Adur valley is followed to Steyning and Bramber. New Sh.o.r.eham (60-1/4 m.). Worthing (64-3/4 m.).

[Ill.u.s.tration: KNOCK HUNDRED ROW, MIDHURST.]

LONDON TO ARUNDEL AND CHICHESTER

(To Horsham above.) Billingshurst (46 m.). Pulborough (junction for an alternative route to Chichester via Midhurst). Views (left) of the long escarpment of the Downs. Villages on the Arun (right). Amberley Castle (left) and (exceedingly fine) Arundel Castle (right). Arundel (59-1/4 m.). Ford. Barnham. Chichester (70-1/2 m.).