Stoughton Down-Chilgrove-Hooksway-East Marden Circular

The walk commences with a steady climb for a mile or so NE to the top of Chilgrove Hill along a forestry track (ascent 71m). There follows a steep-ish descent to the B2141 at The White Horse Hotel at Chilgrove. After crossing the B2141, the route continues along a (wide, grassy) road verge for a short distance to the start of a public footpath which passes across fields to Philliswood Lane (a farm track). After half a mile of walking along the track, we take a footpath to the left leading to Hill Lands Farm via a dry valley and short, steep climb. Crossing the B2141 once more we walk along the verge for about 200m until we reach a footpath on the right leading across fields to East Marden via two stiles. We skirt around the Eastern side of East Marden, through the farmyard, and then South across fields towards Stripeshill Copse at which point we take the uphill path leading to Inholmes Wood, after 500m turning left along the
bridleway to Wildham Barn and from there back to the car park. The walk is 9.1km (just under 6 miles) in length, but there is 218m of ascent so the outing is not for those requiring a leisurely stroll on substantially level ground. There are two stiles and lots of kissing gates. None of the fields we passed through during the recce had any cattle but at East Marden the pastureland was occupied by sheep/lambs.