Patching Hill
A walk through woods with wide pathways and then onto Patching Hill, from which there are lovely views. A good walk for spring (beautiful bluebells), summer for the cool greenness of the woods and autumn for the colours.
Map & Info
Quick Details
Start / finish
Patching Church car park (free)
Distance / ascent / time est.
3.2 miles / 218ft / 1-2hrs
Surface / terrain
Footpaths & tracks / undulating
Stiles / road crossings
Several stiles / no road crossings
Other info
N / A
Blue square = 1km sq
Numbers correspond to directions below
Written Directions
+ use the images below for additional guidance!
Make your way past the farm buildings (1) on the lane and across the field to a stile (1a). Enter a small copse and emerge into a large field with farm buildings in the distance.
Halfway across the field where the hedge begins, turn right (2) and walk towards the woods (2a).
Walk alongside the woods with the field on the right until you reach a stile in the corner (3). Turn left immediately after the stile (3a). This is a wide track (3b) and eventually slopes downwards to a meeting of main paths.
Turn right (4) and follow the path which gently climbs. The path takes you between lots of timber stacks (4a).
You will pass another main path coming up from the left which joins the one you are on (5). The path takes you past a field visible through the trees on the left (5a).
You then reach a divergence of the path into three. Take the middle one (5b). Follow this path right to the end. Immediately before the T-junction with the bridleway, turn right (6) down a wide track. This path is particularly lovely in autumn and spring.
At the end of this track turn left (7) onto another wide path and shortly after turn right (8) to join a bridleway.
Follow the path, which twist and turns, until you reach a gate (8a) leading onto Patching Hill. The gate should be open, but if it’s locked, you’ll need to negotiate the rather awkward log stile to the right.
Patching Hill now opens up before you (9). The left hand path gives great views over the downs and Long Furlong, but you can take either as they meet up.
You will see a fence on the right with a gate. Go through the gate and keep to the right-hand path (10) which leads along the edge of a field towards the woods.
About halfway along, the footpath turns left across the middle of the field towards the church (11) and back to the parking area.
Photographic Directions
(Hover & use arrows to scroll)