Easy going but fairly steep across Hayes Down
Length: Approx 4.5 miles
Time: Approx 2 hours at a strolling pace
Ascent: +- 130
1. We parked on the road alongside the cricket ground. This is a short walk but the
section along the River Lavant is beautiful and the views from Hayes Down across Chichester towards the sea and the Isle of Wight are wonderful. The track from St Roche's Hill back to East Lavant is quite enclosed so if you prefer the best bits last it might be an idea to take the opposite route.
2. A Comma butterfly. We saw quite a few along this stretch sunning themselves. This one was on nettles but most were on brambles which are one of their main foods.
3. The River Lavant. Only a small river but beautifully clear. We had hoped to see water voles but no luck.
4. Looking west. The farm is on the A286. The line of trees and bushes in the foreground is the disused Chichester to Midhurst railway. The River is between the railway and the farm.
5. Looking north-west from the start of the climb across Haye's Down.
6, 7 and 8. Views looking roughly south from Haye's Down. The first is across Chichester. In the second the high ground in the distance is the Isle of Wight. The third is looking towards Bognor and Littlehampton.
9. St Mary's Church, East Lavant
