The second of three history walks around the Parish of West Hoathly in West Sussex. See also part one and part three. From these three walks, an article for Tudor Life Magazine and a study of Philpots Promontory Fort, an Iron Age Hill Fort with evidence of up to 12,000 years of human activity, were also produced.

A map charting our second walk around the parish.

Our second walk started in the middle of morning in the centre of the village and once again we had a plan of the route and a list of things to see. We parked the car between The Manor House & The Priest House and headed north towards the bridleway which starts opposite the Cat Inn and leads to Chiddinglye Farm.

The bridleway from the centre of the village to Chiddinglye Farm.

Having made our way up hill across a field and past the solar farm, we joined the private drive (which also serves as a public bridleway) from Selsfield Road to Chiddinglye Farm, a 15th century timber framed building which was enlarged in both the 16th and 19th centuries.
 

Chiddinglye Farm

At the farm, the public rights of way are a T junction and we turned north towards Stonelands a large 16th century stone built house. After a short while, there is a crossroads of footpaths and unfortunately we were a little keen and took our left turn to early, ending up passing Stonelands on its southern side, rather than the north. Nonethless, we managed to navigate our way back to the footpath with the help of a resident!

The footpath to Stonelands, including the wrong turn, and the building itself, as viewed from the north.

We next headed west towards the Ardingly Road in search of The White Hart Inn, not for refreshment as it's doors closed to the public in 2013, but merely to view a very attractive timber framed building that dates back to the 17th century. At the end of the footpath, where it joins the B road, are two large stone gateposts and 'Stonelands West Lodge'. Whilst this was not a building of any historical interest, it seems obvious that this was a former lodge to Stonelands and that the gate posts mark a now defunct entrance.

The walk from Stonelands to the White Hart, The White Hart and the gateposts at the west lodge.

Our next port of call was Philpots Fort, an Iron Age hill fort where evidence of human activity going back up to 12,000 years. The walk took as back to Chiddinglye Farm, taking a different path back and then, at the farm on a path heading due south across a field of sheep and lambs until we reached the 2,000+ year old earth banking of the fort.

I have written a separate article about Philpots Promontory Fort which can be viewed by clicking here

 
The walk to Philpotts

I have included some photos of Philpots Fort and the surrounding area below, just for the scenery.