Rural Retreat Walk

A lovely circular country walk that starts at the Fountain Inn in Ashurst, a 16th century building, with a garden and large pond. Lord Laurence Olivier used to visit, and Sir Paul McCartney produced a video for the song, “A Wonderful Christmastime” here. This is a good spot for refreshment.

The route then takes you through a series of paddocks and past the ancient church of St James. This small church, with two aisles and a chancel, has been registered since 1658, although it was a chapel from around 1200. It then leads through meadows, copses and farms to Wiston where a short diversion takes you to All Saints church.

There are extensive views from here to Chanctonbury Ring and the imposing line of the South Downs. From Wiston you follow a country lane for a short stretch before turning back via woodland and bridleways towards Ashurst. The route passes through working farms, pastures, meadows, cattle and wildlife within this scenic part of the Sussex countryside.