The Trundle
Goodwood
Children will love racing around the circular chalk track, spotting what is going on at Goodwood below, getting ‘pizza on the hill’ or walking down to the village play area in Singleton .
Views to Chichester Cathedral
The Basics
Time: It takes about 30 minutes to get up to the Trundle and loop around the top. If you want to walk own to Singleton, it will take you about an hour there and an hour back again.
Distance: 1.8 km to loop around the top or 3km to Singleton (double for return).
Terrain: Gradual incline up a lightly stony track and then chalky paths at the top, which can be slippery after rain. The route down to Singleton involves steep inclines, quiet country lanes with no pavements and some steps.
Pushchair: The track up to the Trundle is uphill and stony, but we think most pushchairs could manage it. We do not advise taking pushchairs on the route down to Singleton.
Dogs: You will meet cattle if you follow the ‘alternative route back’ from the top of the Trundle. The play equipment at the park in Singleton is in a dog free enclosure, but there is plenty of space on the outside where dogs are allowed.
Refreshments: The T Box trailer selling hot drinks and bites is located in the Trundle car park. They also serve pizzas on Saturday afternoons/evenings. If you walk down to Singleton, The Partridge Inn is dog and family friendly and has a large garden with an enclosed play area suitable for young children.
Toilets: None
Public Transport: Stagecoach route 60 stops in Singleton, from where you could reverse the walk.
Parking: Chalk Pits Car Park, Chalkpit Lane, free (Postcode: PO18 0SP - W3W: reactions/vented/bright)
The chalky summit has views to Goodwood
A short and easy walk allows families to explore the ancient monument that is the Iron Age hillfort of the Trundle. At the same time you can enjoy fantastic views across the landscape as far as the English Channel and directly over Goodwood Race Course. If you fancy a longer route, you can hike down to the South Downs village of Singleton with a pub, play area, pretty church and the River Lavant.
The Route
Up to the Trundle and a loop around the top: There is an obvious path from the car park that takes you up the hill via a stony track to The Trundle, an Iron Age hill fort. At the top, you can follow the chalky path in a circle and you will find fabulous views across the landscape of West Sussex, over to Hampshire and the English Channel beyond. They have to be the most far-reaching views on any of our walks. At one point, you will have a commanding view over Goodwood Racecourse. This is a favourite spot to come a nab yourself a free ‘grandstand’ view on race days. Return the way you came. The T Box can be found in the car park on Wednesdays to Sundays and the same company sell pizzas on Saturday afternoon/evenings throughout the year.
A slight alternative route back down: You can make a simple circuit of this walk by following The Monarch’s Way as it exits The Trundle in the direction of Goodwood and then taking the path forking back on your right, as you go under the trees. This will allow you to return to the car park across the large field/downland at the side of the hill (cows grazing in here). The bridle path will join the stony track you started on just before the car park.
Down to Singleton and back: If you fancy a bit more a of walk, it is possible to follow public rights of way down to the very attractive village of Singleton with flint cottages and the River Lavant gently flowing through. This route is detailed below:
Standing at the top of the Trundle with Goodwood down to your left, continue around the chalk path in an anti-clockwise direction. As Goodwood passes over your right shoulder, look out for a mobile phone mast to your left. At this point, you should see a little chalky path exiting the main loop and making its way off down the hillside. Veer slightly right to follow the worn path across the grass and then descend downwards when you see the triangle car park below you.
Go through the gate, down the steps and cross Kennel Hill Road. Enter the triangle car park on the opposite side of the road and cross it to join Knight’s Hill Lane on the other side, leading away from the main road. The lane has no pavement, but it does have plenty of grass verges if you need to avoid cars. Walk along the lane until you see a footpath post on your left that will lead you up the bank, through a gate and along a soft footpath between two sets of fences.
Go through another gate further along and continue in the same direction between the fields towards Singleton. On the final descent into Singleton, the path will get considerably steeper as you head own towards a horse menage. Go through the gate at the bottom and folllow the farm track past the cow sheds towards the church. Take the little gate into the churchyard and follow the stone wall around and exit the other side.
You have now arrived in the village where you can enjoy some of the highlights below before returning the way you came.
Straight ahead on Charlton Road, you will find The Partridge Inn. This has a children’s menu, large garden, play area and a couple of go-carts.
Behind the pub is a pretty village green with a stone bridge and the River Lavant.
Adjacent to The Blessed Virgin Mary Church is a very good park with an enclosed play area, picnic benches, basketball hoop and football goals.
If you really want to make a day of it, just to the west of the village is The Weald and Downland Open Air Museum, which is one of our favourite attractions in the area.
Did you know?
Trundle comes from the Old English word Tryndel, meaning "circle”.
Poppies were grown on farmland at the top of St. Roche’s Hill, where The Trundle sits in 2021. These were a cash crop planted by the farmer as opium is used in the medical industry. The poppies have not reappeared since, although there are often a few self seeded ones about.
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