Halnaker Tree Tunnel & Windmill (& Boxgrove Priory Ruins)
A short walk with kissing gates, stiles, farm tracks, paths across fields (some uneven ground) and a short uphill stretch to the windmill.
The Halnaker Tree tunnel is photographed extensively for its beauty, hopefully this will be in full autumnal colour.
We’ll also walk up to the windmill for the beautiful views ( and there’s a ww2 pill box there too), and there’s also the ruins of Boxgrove Priory to look at.
Optional ‘carvery lunch’ at the pub afterwards (or there’s tapas or afternoon tea at the Vinyard).
Time: 2 hours (or a quicker option of 1 hour)
Distance: 7 km / 4.3 miles (or a shorter option of 2.5 km / 1.6 miles)
Terrain: Field paths, tracks, kissing gates, steep ascent/descent.
Pushchairs: Pushchairs will NOT make it through the kissing gate and up the narrow path full of tree roots.
Dogs: Dogs - yes… go for it
Refreshments: Yes!
The pub (The Anglesey Arms) for pub grub and the Tinwood Estate Vinyard at the Tinwood Estate does Tapas and allows‘walk-ins’
Toilets: There are no public toilets on the walk, but the pub is on route. There are also loos in the village hall ( but only if it’s open, obviously).
Parking:
Full route (4.3 miles)
Boxgrove Village Hall car park for the full route (Postcode: PO18 0EE - W3W: ///mystified.outright.portfolio).
Shorter route (1.6 miles)
Layby with marked parking bays next to Warehead Farm on the A285 for shorter route (Postcode: PO18 0NF - W3W: ///lakes.marsh.briefer)
Route:
For the full route from Boxgrove start at section 1. For the shorter route just to the windmill and back through the tree tunnel, start at section 10
Full Route. Start in Village Hall Car Park
1. At the far end of the car park start at the ‘Windmill Trail’ way marker. Cross the road and hit the footpath going into a field directly opposite.
2. Turn left at the corner of this first field.
3. Fork right at the next windmill symbol where the path reaches a garden fence (if you want to go to the pub, you can take a diversion here directly into the garden on your left).
4. Pass some vineyards belonging to the Tinwood Estate on your left as you walk down a little avenue of trees.
5. There’s a gate and some little steps down to the lane. Turn right and walk along Tinwood Lane.
6. Enter the footpath on your left that goes through a gate and along the side of a paddock.
7. Cross the paddock with the post and rail fence to your right and go through the next gate at the other side into a larger field.
8. At the other side of this field, keep straight ahead and look out for the windmill marker directing you into another field.
9. The path will lead you around the edge of this field before veering right up to a large metal gate with the A285 on the other side.
10. Cross the road with care and on the opposite side you will see the parking bays constructed for walking to the windmill. Those doing the shorter walk can join the route at this point.
11. Take the track on your right, passing Mill Cottage, to the tree tunnel. Further along the track, you go up steps and through a kissing gate (there is a field on your right here with some donkeys in).
12. Continue up the track and fork left and enter a large field through another gate, and up to the windmill.
13. Once at the top, walk through the gate to reach the windmill. (You cannot go inside the windmill). Apparently, there’s a WW2 pillbox somewhere here too.
14. To return to Boxgrove via the priory ruins, retrace your steps as far as Tinwood Lane at number 5. This time, turn left and walk along the lane.
15. Past the entrance to the Tinwood Estate ( if you want to stop for wine, tapas and toilets)
16. The paved lane turns into a track with Boxgrove quarry on your left. Continue through a small copse of trees.
17. At the end of the track is a wooden kissing gate on your right - pass through and into a field/vineyard.
18. Turn right with the footpath and walk with vines to your left and horses to your right.
19. Go straight ahead at the path crossroads and pass more vines to your right.
20. At the next path junction, turn left, then right (through a gap in the hedge ) when you see the next footpath post.
21. Cross the field and at the other side, you will be back in the village.
22. Turn right and enter the churchyard.
23. Cross the churchyard to find the ruins of Boxgrove Priory behind (English Heritage, free to explore).
24. The gravelled driveway in front of the priory will lead you to the road, and then turn right to the village hall where you parked your car.
Also check out other Trips & Adventurous Activities in Chichester.
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