If the ground conditions permit, we will walk through Petworth Park then extend the walk through Limbo Farm, made (in)famous by being owned by Vinny Jones.
Otherwise, the walk will be a bare 6 miles on the east side of Petworth and a circuit of the Park.
Either way, we should see a lot of deer!
We plan to organise car shares in advance, so will not meet at West Town Car Park.
Park at Petworth in the Sylvia Beaufoy Car Park (free) at southern junction of A285 and A272, postcode GU26 0ET, grid reference SU975214 for walk start at 10 a.m.
The walk goes to the town centre (toilets available in the pay and display car park) then northwards through Petworth Park.
We come out of the park and walk briefly along the A285 before turning east through Limbo Farm (made famous by the Vinny Jones series) and quiet Sussex countryside.
After 5 miles, we climb to Brinksole Heath then join the Serpent Trail in a sunken path.
We emerge to a great view of Petworth then descend to the stream which skirts the eastern edge of the town, and climb back sharply into the old streets.
The route is on greensand and stony tracks most of the way so it should be reasonably dry underfoot. However there might be mud in one or two places if we have a lot of rain shortly before the walk.
The total distance is 7.5 miles, with 750 feet of ascent.
There are various options for lunch, e.g. the Star in the centre of Petworth or the Cricketers at Duncton.
This is the planned route...