Dial Post and Shipley

Its quiet main street now serves the needs of the local community and leaves city-bound travellers to hurry by without disturbing the peace of this idyllic setting.

This seven-mile walk follows paths across flat Wealden country and visits the distinctive landmark of King’s Mill at Shipley, made famous by its connections with Hillaire Belloc, the sometimes truculent journalist, politician, poet and Sussex ambassador.

1. Walk south from the village green and The Crown pub, in 100 yards turn right into Benton’s Lane and follow this private drive, designated a bridleway, as it twists and turns between houses.

After about 600 yards, and on passing the last house in the lane, continue ahead on the bridleway to Benton’s Place Farm.

On arriving at the gated entrance to the farm, and with a pond to the right, take the signed path to the right which passes between the farm buildings and then turns left.

At a path junction just past the last farm buildings, continue on the bridleway ahead beneath trees for 400 yards, passing over a crossing footpath. At the next bridleway junction, take the right turning, this proceeds northwards within a wide avenue of bushes and trees, to arrive, in just over half-a-mile, at Lower Barn, a byre to the left of the path.

Walk on for 25 yards and take the left footpath option which soon turns right, crosses a bridge over a stream and then goes left across a rising meadow. Follow this path for 600 yards across fields.

Just after a hedge opening take the right signed footpath across a plank bridge and follow the hedgerow ahead to the left field corner. Go right for 100 yards and then left over a concrete bridge and take the rising path which leads to Smoke House Farm.

Arriving at the farm, pass to the left of the sheds, as indicated, and cross a stile to come out onto a minor road.

2. Turn left for 100 yards on the road, go right through a gate into a paddock, cross this and take the stile opposite to follow the left hedgeline across the field, dropping to a gate. Pass through the gate and walk half-left across the rising meadow towards Jenden’s Farm.

Arriving just short of the farm buildings, cross a stile and walk across the wide farm track. Cross a further stile, a bridge and yet another stile and immediately go right along a field edge bridleway for 100 yards, go right through a gate and then left across a bridge. The path rises to a gate, goes a few paces right and then passes across the end of Coolham airfield, a Second World War RAF station.

At the far side of the airfield take the right bridleway option which passes through a gate and heads across an open field.

In 200 yards, with a hedge on the left, go through a gate and continue on the enclosed bridleway towards Knight’s Farm and a minor road in 350 yards.

3. Cross the road and follow the bridleway past farm buildings on the left. In a short distance pass through a gate where the way soon veers left, descends to cross bridges and then turns half-right to cross a rising meadow on a mown path.

On arriving at Hawthorne Cottages, go through the gate and out onto the road to walk ahead towards the village of Shipley in 250 yards. The distinctive profile of King’s Mill at Shipley soon becomes apparent on the right and, on coming to the signed entrance and information board, a diversion to investigate this landmark is called for.

4. Return to the road, which is School Lane, and turn right to walk into the village. On arriving at a T-junction, with Red Lane going left, take the right turn towards the village church of St Mary The Virgin. Walk to the church noticeboard and go left, passing the cottage called Church Gate, to enter the impeccably kept church grounds.

The path goes left and on arriving at the church entrance drops right on steps to then go left across a field, with the River Adur on the right, to a gate and bridge opposite at Church Farm South. Cross the bridge and climb the path in front of the farmhouse, joining the drive which passes beside the farm buildings and leads in 200 yards to a stile and entrance gate – note the signs about using the stile.

Go onto the minor road, turn left and walk towards the junction at Pound Corner where, with Pound Lane going north and Swallows Lane east, take the signed footpath just to the right, leading to Hammer Barn.

5. Follow the drive, passing Hammer Barn and then Hammer Farm.

Descending the track after the farm you become aware of a large expanse of water out to the right. This is a hammer pond, one of those lakes created to power the machinery of the iron smelting industry which spread across Sussex in the 17th Century and doubtless a good reason for the local residences to have such a percussive connection in their choice of name.

Cross the bridge beside the overspill weir and climb the path that goes briefly right, then left and passes across the top of a meadow. At a three-way path junction the track drops to the left, then climbs towards the buildings of New Barn Farm.

Walk on through the extensive farm buildings and, on approaching the houses at the far end, turn left across the yard and out onto the main farm approach drive.

Turn right and walk straight on for half a mile, coming out onto Swallows Lane on the outskirts of Dial Post. Turn right and follow the road to arrive back on the main street of the village. The green, pub and bus stop are to the right.

• How far: Six-and-a-quarter miles, taking three hours.
• By car: Turn left off the northbound carriageway of the A24, signposted Dial Post, four miles north of the Washington roundabout. Start point Grid Ref. TQ154194.
• By public transport: Traveline 0870 6082608. Bus stop in Dial Post, opposite The Crown pub.
• So you don't get lost: Explorer Maps 121 and 134 and a compass for direction.
• What's underfoot: Level Wealden walking, boggy in places, particularly on the bridleways, after wet weather. Suitable for a baby backpack but not for an off-road buggy.
• Thirsty work: The Crown at Dial Post.

For a larger version of the map, see 'related links' above.