Victoria Inn to Lumley seat circle

Stats   Dist = 4 Miles  Meters climbed = 127    time  =109 minutes

West Marden to Lumley Seat. This walk is plagued with some very bad stiles but that aside the walk itself is very pleasant with views over to the Isle of Wight. It wanders through a great mixture of terrain and is characterised by being either in forest or wide open views there is very little in between. We couldn’t recommend this walk for cold winter days or for times when the rain is driven by the wind because it would be very uncomfortable in such conditions. The walk is only four miles long but none the less you will welcome a cup of tea at the end since it is quite tiring on your legs.

Directions: Start at West Marden farm and go up the hill until you reach West Marden House on the right hand side. Opposite this house is a footpath leading through a field. At this point you will encounter a very poor stile but it is the only means by which you can access the path. Take the lower path directly across the field and to another equally dilapidated stile. Continue on through the next field until you reach the forest again accessed via a very poor quality stile. Walk through the forest and dare I say it you will come to yet another rickety stile which leads to a field. Literally as soon as you cross the stile turn right and walk about fifty yards when you will come across another stile which leads you back into the forest. Upon crossing this stile turn immediately left and follow the path through brambles and subsequently up the hill at an angle. Stick to this path and yes there is yet another stile this one leads across old house lane which is a made up road. On the other side of the road you will be able to follow the blue path sign up the hill. At the top of the hill the path crosses a track but carry on to the road, turn right at this road. There is a cottage on your right. Carry straight on following this road until you come to Broad reed Farm, turn left here and follow the road round the bend. At the blue sign turn left and continue on road until you reach Lumley seat. (This is actually a house and a private one at that.) Now take the path leading into the forest on your right and stay on that path through two kissing gates and on up a small hill to to a gate at the top of the field. At this point you will see a no entry sign owing to conservation measures being taken. Turn left here and follow the path until you reach a signpost with several directions on it you want the blue direction. This will lead you through the woods to an open stretch of field, were the path becomes obvious as it stretches out in front of you to a farm in the distance. On reaching the farm continue on the path until you reach the forest and this will lead you down the hill and eventually back to the stile that began the walk.

This walk is sponsored by

A free laminated map is available at the pub. All we ask is that you return it when you have finished with it or pass it on to a friend. It would be a crime to bury it away in a drawer and forget it.