Discover Iping and Stedham Common, the stunning 310-acre nature reserve managed by Sussex Wildlife Trust, on a Miles Without Stiles accessible walk created by the South Downs National Park
With its rolling hills, stunning views and unique wildlife, the South Downs National Park is the epitome of a countryside walk. Now families with pushchairs, less agile walkers, those with dogs and wheelchair or mobility scooter users can enjoy this slice of Sussex ‘heaven’ too with the introduction of a new Miles Without Stiles route.
Specifically created for people with limited mobility, the latest gentle journey takes in Iping and Stedham Common, with its lowland heath, where you might spot a Dartford warbler or, in the heat of the summer, a rare silver studded blue butterfly whose caterpillar thrives on the bell heather.
Supported by funding from Gatwick Airport, this is the seventh Miles Without Stiles route to be added to the National Park. ‘One of our big focuses is increasing accessibility, including for people with disabilities and families who may not want to negotiate stiles,’ says Allison Thorpe, who leads access and recreation for the National Park. ‘We’re really excited to launch this new route at Iping and Stedham.’
The common is a 310-acre nature reserve managed by Sussex Wildlife Trust, and is a biological site of special scientific interest, west of the historic market town of Midhurst, where Queen Elizabeth 1 and King Henry VIII visited Cowdray.
THE WALK
1. The route starts at the Car park at Iping Common, West Sussex GU29 0PB, grid ref SU852219. Head west through a bridle gate from the car park, taking the left fork continuing downhill and crossing a wooden bridge (turn right here for a short cut to the main path).
2. After the bridge, and immediately after passing a large conifer, take the next right fork up hill.
3. At the T junction turn right and join the Serpent Trail. Take time to enjoy the open heathland here and the far-reaching views of the Downs, also noting the two Bronze Age burial mounds (tumuli) covered in heather, just to the right of the path. The route continues past a bench before a crossroads.
4. Turn right here and head east along the Serpent Trail back towards the car park.
ADD-ON:
5. To explore further, carefully cross the road from the car park into Stedham Common. Follow the Serpent Trail east to see ‘Dragonflies Rest’ one of seven sculptures that are part of the Heathland Sculpture Trail. Stedham aand Iping commons are home to all five of the heathland dragonfly species found in the south of the UK.
6. Turn here and follow the same path back to the car park.
COMPASS POINTS
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 1.25 mile/ 2km plus Add-on 0.6mile/1km
Suitable For: People with restricted mobility, including all-terrain mobility scooters and families with pushchairs.
Surface: Sandy, uneven in parts but for the most part fairly level, some slight gradients.
Duration: 30 mins, plus 15 mins for the add-on.
What3Words: drizzly.word.volcano
southdowns.gov.uk
