Exploring the Slindon Estate

It all began in 1895, the year the National Trust was founded by three visionary Victorians whose objective was to acquire sites of historic interest and natural beauty for the benefit of the nation. Nearly 130 years after its foundation, it is now the country’s biggest landowner, depending on donations and legacies and the annual subscriptions of its two million members for much of its income. Over the years it has acquired 610,000 acres (247,000ha) of countryside, much of which is freely open to everyone, 775 miles (1,247km) of coastline, over 500 historic buildings and more than 200 gardens, all of which it aims to preserve and protect for future generations.

Much of the West Sussex village of Slindon is part of the National Trust’s 3,500-acre (1,419ha) Slindon Estate, which is situated on the southern slopes of the South Downs between Arundel and Chichester. The estate was originally designed and developed as an integrated community and the Trust aims to maintain this structure as far as possible. Take a stroll through Slindon village as you end the walk and you can see that many of the cottages are built of brick and flint, materials typical of chalk country. During the medieval period, long before the National Trust was established, Slindon was an important estate of the Archbishops of Canterbury. Even earlier than this it was home to Neolithic people who settled at Barkhale, a hilltop site at its northern end.

As well as the village, the estate consists of a large expanse of sweeping downland dissected by dry valleys, a folly, several farms and a stretch of Roman road. Parts of the estate were damaged in the storms of 1987 and 1990, though the woods are regenerating. Typical ground plants include bluebell, dog’s mercury, greater butterfly orchid and wood sedge.

To help celebrate its centenary in 1995, the National Trust chose the Slindon Estate to launch its 100 Paths Project, a scheme designed to enhance access to its countryside properties by creating or improving paths. This glorious, unspoiled landscape offers many miles of footpaths and bridleways, making it an excellent choice for a country walk.

From the car park walk towards the road and turn right, passing through the gate to join a wide straight path cutting between trees and bracken. The path runs alongside sunny glades and clearings and between lines of attractive beech and silver birch trees before reaching a crossroads.

Turn right to a second crossroads and continue ahead here, keeping the grassy bank and ditch (all that remains of the Park Pale), on your right. Follow the broad path as it begins a wide curve around to the right. The boundary ditch is still visible here, running parallel to the path you are on. On reaching a kissing gate, continue ahead, soon skirting fields. As you approach the entrance to Slindon campsite, swing left and follow the track down to the road.

Turn left and follow the road through the woodland. Pass Slindon Bottom Road and turn right after a few paces to join a bridleway. Follow the path as it cuts between fields.

Ignore a footpath to the left signed ‘Eartham 3/4m’ and continue forwards. The ascent becoming slightly steeper as the path twists and turns through the wood.

Eventually the path curves to the right to round the summit of Nore Hill and begins to descend gently at a guidepost. Turn right at a T-junction shortly afterwards and then bear left at a fork past a barrier and along a straight track. This eventually turns sharp left and swings right to leave the woods and provide glorious views of the estate. Pass Nore Folly on your right and follow the track as it turns left and right and begins to descend.

Continue straight ahead along the track, following it gently down. Pass Courthill Farm on the left and turn right at the road. Follow the lane, or soon branch left on to a parallel woodland path to the next road. Bear left and pass Slindon College on the right and St Richard’s Catholic Church on the left before reaching Church Hill.

Fork right into Church Hill, pass the church and make for the pond, a familiar weeping willow reaching down to the water’s edge. Look for mallard ducks here. Turn right around the far end of the pond on the obvious waterside path to enter the wood. On reaching a fork, by a National Trust sign for the Slindon Estate, keep left and walk ahead through the trees, ignoring any side paths, to return to the car park.