West Dean and East Dean Walk
Enjoy a walk between these two pretty villages in West Sussex. The route follows a section of the Monarch's Way long distance trail. It runs for just under 5 miles, passing The Trundle Hillfort on St Roche's Hill on the way.
Start the walk in the village of West Dean where there's some nice walks in West Dean Park with views of the impressive College. There's also the lovely West Dean Gardens which are a popular local attraction and well worth a visit. Here you'll find a fine Edwardian pergola, Victorian glasshouses and a walled kitchen garden.
From the village you head south east along the waymarked footpath through the arboretum before climbing St Roche's Hill. On the hill sits The Trundle, an Iron Age hill fort commanding wonderful views to the coast and the Isle of Wight. It's also a great viewpoint for Goodwood Racecourse which lies just to the east of the hill.
After taking in the views the route descends past the famous Goodwood Racecourse. You then turn north to pass through the woodland around Park Hill before coming into East Dean where the walk finishes.
This walk passes through part of Goodwood Country Park where there miles of excellent walking trails to try.
West Dean and East Dean Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
West Dean and East Dean Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
West Dean and East Dean OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
West Dean and East Dean Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
The Centurion Way starts/finishes in West Dean. This easy shared cycling and walking trail runs along the old Midhurst and Chichester railway to Chichester via the River Lavant Valley.
Head north west and you could visit a splendid viewpoint at Harting Down. There's also the nearby village of South Harting where you could pay a visit to the National Trust's Uppark. Here you'll find a fine 17th century Georgian House surrounded by lovely gardens with views of the English Channel. The author H.G Wells stayed in the house during the late 19th century. The class divisions he observed here inspired his socialist views which later manifested themselves in work such as 'The Time Machine'. You can find the house at postcode GU31 5QR.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
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Seat and shelter, West Dean Gardens (geograph 5789700)
West Dean Gardens. The pergola was designed by Harold Peto. It is over 100m long and provides support to a variety of clematis, rose and honeysuckle. This view is looking west into the gazebo at the far end
West Dean College seen from West Dean Park. In the foreground is a work of memorial art by Christopher Elsey, one of 54 such works as part of the Art & Memory exhibition in the grounds and farmland of the college in 2009.
The Trundle, St.Roche's Hill, Sussex Hill fort on the summit of St.Roche's Hill. The circular earthworks can be seen, and a path runs along the top. At this exposed location, the effects of the wind can be felt when standing on the earthworks. However, the lee side of the earthworks is quite sheltered.
The Trundle. The path runs around the top of the earthworks of this hill fort, providing excellent views in all directions
Trundle probably comes from the Old English trendel, a circle or hoop. The fort itself is circular in shape and is surrounded by a low circular rampart which is topped by a chalky path today.
Houses, East Dean. Larger houses to the west of the old village seen from access land at Hobb's Eares.
