RST Route 6 Town House Farm To Acorns Cattery

1.1 miles over mainly level ground on a bridleway and footpaths but only suitable for pedestrians. Sections of the walk on West Chiltington Road and, on the B2139, require particular care.

At the complex of homes and buildings marked on the map as Town House Farm, and one hundred yards from the B2139 and just past the line of six garages on the left, turn left and then in 30 yards right onto the sign-posted bridleway. This narrow path leads through a copse and after 150 yards is the right fork at a junction. Shortly afterwards leave the copse through a metal gate. The route now leads across an enormous grass field (the largest this side of Manitoba?) with great views back to the South Downs. At the first tree beside the path take the footpath off the bridleway to the right and cross a low stile on the tree line before the next field.

On the approach to a small copse keep it on the left (the path is not so distinct) and follow a short downhill section to a stile leading to the East Street / West Chiltington Road. Turn right and after two hundred plus yards take the stile on the right of the road. The footpath sign is there but broken. Note that if taking this walk in the opposite direction the stile leading away from the road is hard to find. It is twenty yards up the drive of “Flower Voakes” the third house on the left.

The final section is four hundred yards along the northern edge of a field which has been harrowed almost to the hedge line and so no footpath exists. The adjacent fields to the left have been planted with vines starting in 2018 and so grape harvesting and wine production should commence within the next year or two. 10 or so hectares are now in cultivation and planning permission has been given to Kinsbrook for a farm shop / cafe on the site which are due to open in 2021. Already a mobile cafe is available seven days a week at least in summer and there is a large car park accessed from the West Chiltington Road. This walk can be varied with a detour to the vineyard, as shown on the map.

At the corner of the field a metal gate gives access to the B2139 a few yards south of the properties around Goffsland House. Traffic on this section of the road tends to travel too fast and sightlines are poor, so great care and attention is needed when walking there. On reaching Goffsland House, the options are either to retrace the route southwards, or continue north along the verge of the B2139 to link to the start of route 5.

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