Halnaker Windmill
Chichester
Children will enjoy discovering a windmill at the top of the hill and exploring the ruins of Boxgrove Priory on this walk.
The windmill looked splendid when rapeseed was grown in the surrounding fields
The Basics
Time: 1hr 40mins (or a shorter option of around 40 mins)
Distance: 4.2 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 are welcome on this walk.
Refreshments: The Anglesey Arms can be accessed directly from the trail.
Toilets: There are no public toilets on the walk unless the village hall is open.
Public Transport: The Stagecoach service 55 from Tangmere to Chichester stops in Boxgrove, alight at the primary school and join the start of this walk opposite the village hall.
Parking: Boxgrove Village Hall car park for the full route (Postcode: PO18 0EE - W3W: mystified/outright/portfolio). Layby with marked parking bays next to Warehead Farm on the A285 for shorter route (Postcode: PO18 0NF - W3W: lakes/marsh/briefer)
The famous tree tunnel is much photographed in autumn
Photographers come from far and wide to see the famous tree tunnel at Halnaker in its autumn glory. But this is a walk for all seasons with an atmospheric ruin, a vineyard, a pub garden, a kid’s play area and a hilltop windmill.
The Route
For the full route from Boxgrove start at section one. For the shorter route just to the windmill and back through the tree tunnel, start at section 5:
Begin by walking to the far end of the village hall car park and looking for the first ‘Windmill Trail’ way marker. You will need to cross the road and hit the footpath going into a field directly opposite.
Turn left at the corner of this first field. 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). Pass some vineyards belonging to the Tinwood Estate on your left as you walk down a little avenue of trees.
At the end of this section you will come to a gate and some little steps down to the lane, where you should turn right and walk along Tinwood Lane. Shortly, you will see a footpath on your left that goes through a gate and along the side of a paddock.
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. At the other side of this field, keep straight ahead and look out for the windmill marker directing you into another field. 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.
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.
Take the track on your right, passing Mill Cottage, and soon you will walk through the well-known tree tunnel or ‘holloway’. Further along the track, you will need to head up some steps and go through a kissing gate (there is a field on your right here with some donkeys in). Continue up the track until you need to fork left and enter a large field through another gate. This field now has fences ether side of the path, which will take you directly up to the windmill.
Once at the top, walk through the gate to reach the windmill. You cannot go inside the windmill, but you can get up close, and you will want to stop a while to appreciate the views. Look out also for a WW2 pillbox.
To return to Boxgrove via the priory ruins, retrace your steps as far as Tinwood Lane in section three. This time, turn left and walk along the lane. You will pass the entrance to Tinwood Estate, where you can stop here for tapas and sparkling wine, before the paved lane turns into a track with Boxgrove quarry on your left. Continue through a small copse of trees. Just at the end of this, look for a wooden kissing gate on your right and walk out into into a field/vineyard.
Turn right with the footpath and walk with vines to your left and horses to your right. Go straight ahead at the path crossroads and pass more vines to your right. At the next path junction, turn left and then turn right through a gap in the hedge when you see the next footpath post. Cross the field and at the other side, you will find yourself entering the village again. Turn right and enter the churchyard.
Cross the churchyard to find the ruins of Boxgrove Priory behind (English Heritage, free to explore). 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. There is a small play area at the other side of the park next to the village hall.
Did you know?
The windmill was a working mill until it was struck by lightning in 1905. It has now been restored for the public to enjoy.
The tunnel of trees actually forms part of the old Roman road linking Chichester to London.
Look out for the brick structure that formed the base of WW2 radio towers and antennae.
The unassuming quarry you pass by after Tinwood is actually one of the UK’s most important archaeological sites due to the discovery in 1993 of a human shin bone dating to about 500,000 years ago. In 1995, two teeth from another human, along with many animal bones and flint tools were found. These are the earliest hominid remains found in the British Isles.
The ruins you see today at Boxgrove were in fact once part of the guest house belonging to the priory and dates to the 14th century.
If you liked this walk…
…try another windmill walk at Chalton
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