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
[Across the Adur valley, 2-1/2 miles west is the interesting
church at Wisborough Green. The situation is delightful and the
antiquarian interest more than ordinary. Kemble identifies the
mound on which the church is built as being the site of a temple
dedicated to Woden (Wisc or "Wish"). Restoration brought to light
early Norman (perhaps Saxon) remains in this late Norman church.
The chancel is Early English. Notice the tower walls inside.
There are some ancient frescoes, a stoup, and other interesting
details.]
Adversane (42-3/4 m.).
Pulborough (46 m.).
Bury (50-3/4 m.).
Arundel (55-1/4 m.).
_To Chichester_ at 1-3/4 m. past Bury turn S.W.
Balls Hut Inn (56-1/2 m.).
Chichester (62 m.).
THE CHICHESTER ROAD VIA GUILDFORD AND MIDHURST
This route follows the Portsmouth Road from Westminster through
Wandsworth and over Putney Heath to Kingston (12 m.). Here we bear left
past the King's stone and then by way of the river bank through Thames
Ditton to Esher (16 m.), then by the famous "Ripley Road" over Fairmile
Common and through Street Cobham (19-1/2 m.).
Ripley (23-3/4 m.).
Guildford (29-3/4 m.). A prosperous and good-looking old town in danger
of becoming smug and suburban; the steep and picturesque High Street,
however, keeps its old time amenities. The ruins of the castle keep may
be seen south of the High Street. Abbott's Hospital (1619), the
Guildhall with projecting clock (1683); St. Mary's church, Norman and
Early English. Note paintings in north chapel. St. Nicholas' Church has
been mostly rebuilt. Our road turns left just beyond the Wey bridge and
passes under the ruins of St. Catherine's Chapel on the left. At
Shalford (30-3/4 m.), bear right to Godalming (34-1/4 m.) in the centre
of a lovely country. Here is a large cruciform church, Norman and Early
English, with interesting brasses and pulpit.
[Illustration: NORTH MILL, MIDHURST.]
Milford (35 m.). A long rise follows to Brookstreet (39-1/4 m.) and a
dangerous drop just beyond. Haslemere (43 m.). Although the scenery is
very beautiful on all sides of this once remote hamlet, the late
nineteenth century saw a colonization of the slopes of Hindhead, with
the attendant outbreak of red brick, which has almost completely spoilt
the neighbourhood. Branch excursions may be made towards the Hampshire
border and to Chiddingfold country. We cross the Sussex boundary one
mile south of the town and are immediately in the lonely and very
lovely Blackdown country. A climb follows to Kingsley Marsh and a steep
descent to Fernhurst (46-1/4 m.).
[Blackdown, the highest point in Sussex (918 feet) can be easily
reached from here, the distance is about two miles in each
direction with woodland most of the way. The view from the summit
is magnificent in every direction. Aldworth, where Tennyson died,
is on a spur of the hill slightly east of north.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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