Sussex Border Path
Rake, Hampshire to Blackdown, West Sussex
(11 Miles)
A generally easy walk, mainly on clear sandy tracks, crossing the heathland of Linchmere and Marley Commons, followed by a climb to the top of Blackdown, providing a spectacular view over the Sussex Weald.
CAR PARKS No specific car park at Rake. At Blackdown, there is a car park at the end of this section of the walk at GR 923307. If this is full, there is another a little distance away on the road to Haslemere. There is also a useful car park on the line of the path at Marley Common at GR 887312.
Cross B2070 with care and take lane opposite (right of 'Flying Bull' P.H. car park). In 300 yards, bear right (signposted 'White Eagle Temple'). After half a mile, turn right at road junction (GR 803287), and after another half mile, turn left at next junction. Cross railway bridge and almost immediately fork right and head NNE (ignoring another right fork) to pass two cottages. In about half a mile, at meeting of four ways, take furthest right hand track (GR812297).
Bear right past two cottages and continue through heath and woodland for half a mile. Cross drive of Home Park (by brick pillars) and continue ahead on path forking right. Keep bearing right along edge of wood now heading south to pass under railway bridge. Immediately beyond bridge, take narrow path on left through gap and continue on path, bearing right between fences. On reaching wood, turn right at path T-junction on path which soon veers left, still in woodland. Keep bearing left at subsequent path junctions to reach gate to drive. Follow drive to B2070 near 'Black Fox' P.H.
Cross road with care and turn left along roadside verge. In about 80 yards, fork right on tarmac lane. In another 100 yards cross road and keep ahead on dirt track (at one time this was the Portsmouth Road). Continue ahead in the same direction, ignoring a signed bridleway to the left, for the next 1.5 miles. Ignore all other side turnings and crossing paths until you pass the entrance drive to North Lodge Farm on your right. Continue ahead until the track forks, where you take the smaller track, forking left, and follow this to a road. Cross this road into Highfield Lane opposite (GR847304). (For access to Liphook turn left along road for half a mile).
Follow Highfield Lane for just 20 yards, then turn right on clear woodland track. Continue ahead, ignoring path to right, soon with ditch and fence on your left. When fence ends, continue ahead on path through woodland, which is a little vague at times, but maintain direction for about half a mile, roughly in line with the ditch, until you meet a waymarker post (GR 853303). Here you bear left uphill with the bridleway as indicated. At top of rise join track coming in from left and go ahead (NE). At meeting of four ways go ahead through wood. At next (unsigned) junction, fork left on lesser path and descend slope. At another crossing path at foot of slope, turn left and continue ahead for half a mile, soon with field on left, until you reach a house on left. Here the path veers right on to common. At meeting of five tracks, take third exit (almost due east). As path climbs gently, soon fork right and follow Border Path/bridleway waymarks over heathland for about half a mile, ignoring side and crossing tracks. Continue alongside fence and gardens of house on right to reach road at Linchmere (GR 866314).
Turn right and in 300 yards turn left at road junction (signposted Haslemere and Camelsdale). In 30 yards fork right along gravel track by 'Old School'. Follow this rising (and often muddy) bridleway for over half a mile, ignoring side tracks, until you reach a tarmac lane. Go ahead and in 200 yards, where tarmac lane bears left, bear slightly right on rough track. Follow this past stables until you reach a road at houses. Go ahead with the road for 100 yards, but where it bends left, continue ahead on path into woodland. Follow path, crossing another private drive, to reach public road at GR 887311. Turn left for 100 yards, then turn right into car park at Marley Common.
(Revised February 2010).
Map of Sussex.
Each letter represents a section of The Sussex Border Path. Click on a Letter for information on this section of the walk.
Walking The Sussex Border Path
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