Enjoy Scenic Walks - The Blue Bell at Cocking, West Sussex

In the heart of the South Downs National Park, just off the South Downs Way, the Blue Bell at Cocking is the perfect point to begin a walk or bike ride. The green rolling pastures, wide open spaces and ancient woodlands features plenty of bridleways, cycle paths and is perfect for dog walking, there is something to suit all abilities.

Try some of our favorite ‘tried and tested’ local walks below, ready for you to download and print out.

Don’t forget to book a table if you plan on working up a hunger! If you have your dog with you, we have a water bowl and doggie snacks too…

Happy walking!

The whole character of this walk is one of forest and then open downland views. In other words everything you would expect from the South Downs. When we surveyed this walk it was on a dull day and there is very little cheer to be had from a dull day. Or is there? We were charmed by the forest scenes and saw several deer and rabbits. The Church at Heyshott is very pleasant and as you walk towards the downs the views become more panoramic, with plenty of activity from birds and animals alike. All in all there is just enough strain in this to make you feel like you’ve completed a walk but not enough to completely drain yourself. In any event you will feel like you’ve earned a pint at the end of the walk.

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Start at The Blue Bell in Cocking. Drive along the Bell Lane towards Bepton. Stay on this road until you reach St Andrews Church in Didling which is approximately 3 miles from the Blue Bell. In following this road, the rule is simple just keep turning left.

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Cocking is the most under rated village in Sussex. It is the home of world class walks that will thrill anyone and leave you breathless with admiration. Within 1 minute you go from main road to countryside on this walk and the go up the most fabulous hills and scenery that you can imagine. This walk makes you puff and pant, but it guarantees a smile 6’ wide.

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At only 3.5 miles this walk is a simple leg stretch??? Not a bit of it!!! This is a really splendid walk with splendid views and a real stretch of your leg muscles aspect that is hard to ignore. On the day when we did the full survey we encountered Muntjack dears, a fabulous array of wild flowers and butterflies by the ton. On the subject of butterflies we even spotted a very rare example; none other than the Berger’s clouded yellow. As for view there is not a footfall without a spectacular view. Add to all this some beautiful trees and a wonderful bridge and your getting the right idea that we really enjoyed this walk, and we do a lot of walking so we are difficult to impress.

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The following walks have been compiled by Andy Nixon, many thanks Andy.

Description

Cross the A286 and take the minor road opposite the pub, following the private road down the gravel incline, crossing over Casters Brook with the old mill pond on your right. Then pick up the footpath sign at the end of the cul de sac next to a garage. The route then heads north through Hoe Copse to reach the nearby village of Heyshott before returning across the rolling fields. There are lovely views across the patchwork hills of the Downs throughout and lots of wildlife to enjoy in the woodlands.

The route has a few steady climbs and descents throughout. In terms of obstacles there are some gates, two stiles (both with open fencing gaps suitable for most dogs), some steps and a couple of narrow footbridges to negotiate. There are also a couple of sections of walking on quiet country/village lanes so take care of any traffic at these points. The walk follows mainly unmade woodland and field paths which, whilst generally firm, can become quite muddy in winter and after periods of rain. Some of the paths across fields can become obscured by crops before harvest. You may come across sheep and/or horses in a couple of the fields so take care with dogs.

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Description

Follow the footpath alongside the A286 South to the edge of the village then take the lane on the right past Malthouse Cottages, just before the main road starts to climb up to the top of the Downs.  Follow the lane to Crypt Farm, passing under a disused railway bridge. Once at the farm take the footpath leading off left uphill alongside the adjacent bungalow.

The route then heads south through westdean woods before turning south east over Hat Hill to Singleton.  Once at Singleton you can pause for refreshment at the Partridge Inn before catching the No 60 bus back to Cocking on the A286 (services run every 30 mins).

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Description

Take the footpath alongside the A286 South to the edge of the village then take the lane on the right past Malthouse Cottages, just before the main road starts to climb up to the top of the Downs. The route heads south, climbing steeply to reach the South Downs Way and then follows this ridge-top path west to perform a circuit of Westdean Woods before returning down the ridge and along old farm tracks. There are beautiful views across the surrounding hills throughout the walk and plenty of wildlife within the woodland which is a mixture of majestic pines and coppiced hazel.

The route consists of long steady ascents and descents throughout, a couple of sections being fairly steep. There are some gates plus two stiles to negotiate (both stiles have open fencing alongside for dogs). The chalk paths on the climbs/descents can become slippery when wet and the farm tracks can be very muddy in winter and after periods of rain, so good boots are a must. You may come across sheep and cattle grazing the fenced fields adjacent to the South Downs Way so take care with dogs.

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Description

Take the footpath alongside the A286 South to the edge of the village then take the lane on the right past Malthouse Cottages, just before the main road starts to climb up to the top of the Downs.  Follow the lane to Crypt Farm, passing under a disused railway bridge. Once at the farm take the footpath on the left that climbs behind the garage to the South Downs Way and turn East.

Once you cross the A286 look out for the Trig Point at the top of the hill on your left and take the footpath on the left shortly after that. Once off the Downs follow the footpath to Heyshott and then across the fields back to Cocking with lovely views of the Downs to your South.

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Description

To get to the start of the walk cross the A286 and take the minor road opposite, turning immediately right and down the hill to the war memorial and Casters Brook.  Take the footpath sign posted up the hill opposite the war memorial. The route heads south, climbing steeply to reach the South Downs Way and then follows this ridge-top path west before returning down the ridge and along old farm tracks. There are beautiful views across the surrounding hills and on clear days you’ll be able to see as far as Guildford to the north and the coast to the south.

The route is basically one long ascent followed by one long descent, a couple of sections being fairly steep. There are no gates or stiles to negotiate. The chalk paths on the climbs/descents can become slippery when wet and the farm tracks can be very muddy in winter and after periods of rain, so good boots are a must. You may come across sheep and cattle grazing the fenced fields adjacent to the South Downs Way so take care with dogs.

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A complete set of the previous five walks.

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