Читать книгу Walks in the South Downs National Park онлайн

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The Forestry Commission road leads directly up to the main part of Friston Forest, then becomes a stony track signed to Jevington and Friston. Keep along this until, shortly after passing a lone house on the left, the track forks. Take the right branch, a broad bare-earth bridleway striking uphill (the left fork goes to Jevington). Lined in summer by a scarlet ‘avenue’ of rosebay willowherb, the track gives easy walking, then slopes downhill and curves to the left. Leave it here and follow a minor track to the foot of the slope where there’s a crossing track. Maintain direction to climb among more trees until you come to the large meadowland of Friston Hill with a water tower seen on the wooded skyline ahead.

Managed by the Forestry Commission, Friston Forest consists of almost 2000 acres of mixed woodland, with broad rides and several footpaths. Originally the forest was almost entirely deciduous, and during the 15th century it sheltered remnants of Jack Cade’s peasant army.

Maintain direction along the right-hand edge of the meadow, then descend to a narrow lane by the entrance to Friston Place at TV 546 988. Turn left and follow the lane as it bends sharply to the right, and about 300 yards after the bend take an unmarked footpath on the right which goes through a gate in a wall surrounding parkland. Walk directly across to a kissing gate on the far side. A few steps take you onto the drive leading to Friston Place, across which you enter a sloping meadow and make for its top right-hand corner. A stile then takes the footpath into woodland and out to a junction of roads opposite a pond and church at Friston (TV 551 983).