Seaward Sussex: The South Downs from End to EndHolmes, Edric
History
Seaward Sussex: The South Downs from End to End
Holmes, Edric
Sussex (England) -- Description and travel
Burrell Arms (41-1/2 m.). A halt must be made to view the scanty
remains of Knepp Castle, a one time stronghold of the de Braose family.
Close by is a beautiful lake, the largest sheet of water in the south
of England. The road now bears south-east. To the right and close to
the Adur is West Grinstead. The church, partly Norman, should be seen.
Note the two naves. The old oak seats bear the names of the farms to
whose occupants they have from time immemorial belonged. Behind the
altar of the north nave is an aumbry, and in the roof above is a cover
once used for suspending the canopy over the Host. There are several
interesting monuments including two altar tombs in the Burrell chantry
with fine fifteenth century brasses. Note the font, an old stone
coffin, foliated lancets, fragments of old stained glass and some
remains of ancient frescoes. The rectory is a good specimen of
Elizabethan building. West Grinstead House, once the home of the
Carylls, friends of Pope, "This verse to Caryl, Muse, is due," _Rape of
the Lock_. The poem is said to have been written under the shade of
"Pope's Oak" in the park.
[Cowfold, 3 miles east, is chiefly remarkable for the Carthusian
Monastery dedicated to St. Hugh. Its spire is a landmark for many
miles. This has been the home of exiled French monks since 1877.
Visitors are very courteously shown over the greater part of the
building, which is of much interest and contains several venerated
relics brought from the monastery of the Grand Chartreuse. The
magnificent brass to Nelond, Prior of Lewes, in the parish church
should also be seen.]
We now continue south-east and cross the railway to Shoreham. The tall
spire seen on the left is St. Hugh's Monastery (above). Partridge Green
station (44-1/4 m.), Ashurst (46-1/4 m.), with an Early English church.
At the top of every rise we are rewarded with glorious views of the
Downs crowned by Chanctonbury Ring.
Steyning (49-1/4 m.).
Bramber (50-1/4 m.).
New Shoreham (54-1/4 m.).
[Illustration: STEYNING CHURCH.]
THE WORTHING ROAD
As above to the Burrell Arms. The route runs south and then south-west
to Dial Post (43-1/4 m.), and so with striking views ahead through
Ashington (46-1/4 m.) to Washington (48-1/4 m.).
Findon (51 m.).
Broadwater (54-1/4 m.).
Worthing (55-1/2 m.).
THE ARUNDEL--CHICHESTER ROAD
This route leaves the Horsham road nearly two miles south of the
village of Kingsfold.
Warnham (33-1/4 m.). The district is the scene of Shelley's childhood
and youth. The poet was born at Field Place, about 1-1/2 miles south on
the right of the road.
Broadbridge Heath (35-1/4 m.).
Five Oaks (39 m.). We now join the Roman "Stane Street" from London
Bridge to Chichester.
Billingshurst (40-3/4 m.). Norman and Perpendicular church. Note fine
oak panelled ceiling.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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