Durford Wood and Rogate

5.3 miles (8.6 km)

This circular walk explores Durford Wood and the Sussex village of Rogate near the town of Liss.
The area is defined by the lush, undulating landscape of the Western Weald, situated within the South Downs National Park. Durford Wood itself is an expansive and atmospheric woodland, characterised by a mix of ancient broadleaves and towering conifers that create a deep sense of seclusion. The sandy soil of the Greensand Ridge supports a variety of specialised flora and fauna; you may notice the vibrant green of mosses and ferns lining the sunken tracks, known locally as "holloways," which have been carved into the earth over centuries of use.... In the quieter reaches of the woods, it is common to spot roe deer moving through the undergrowth or hear the distinctive tapping of great spotted woodpeckers. Descending toward the village of Rogate, the scenery transitions into a patchwork of traditional farmland and riverside meadows. The village is steeped in history, centered around the charming St Bartholomew’s Church and its cluster of tile-hung Sussex cottages. Nearby, the River Rother meanders through the valley, providing a rich habitat for kingfishers and dragonflies during the warmer months. The terrain throughout the walk offers a blend of shaded forest paths and open vistas across the Rother Valley, with the chalk escarpment of the South Downs forming a dramatic silhouette on the horizon to the south. Historically, this landscape was part of the Durford Abbey estate, and though only fragments of the 12th-century Premonstratensian monastery remain near the river, the influence of the old estate is still visible in the layout of the local bridleways and ancient boundaries. The area remains a sanctuary for birdlife, with buzzards and red kites frequently seen soaring on the thermals above the wooded ridges.
The Sussex Border Path runs through the area so you could continue your walking along this long distance path.