Kingley Vale is a beautiful, natural place perched on the South side of the South Downs just north-west of Chichester. It is made of ancient woodland, farmscapes and bridle and footpaths. 

The hill / vale can be reached from Funtington, a village directly to the West of Chichester. Have lunch or tea at the Fox and Hounds pub and walk up the lane beside it. Follow the signs for Adsdean – which is an organic meat farm.

Basically keep climbing! You will go through beech woods, past huge open fields and smaller coppices. There are various routes to go from the top (near an old tumuli with a tree on top!) – might be best to use the Chichester Explorer OS Map (OL 08) – you can go via a farm, across or beside fields etc.

You might even find the cowpost – a brush rub for the cows, near to an old ruined farm building!

Allow about 90 minutes at a reasonable pace, but we allowed the extra time for some blackberry picking too!

© Gayle Palmer Chichester Self Catering 2016.