Jun 11, 20232 min read

Wisborough Green

I decided that as park-ups were becoming more difficult, I would put on a bit of a spurt. I headed straight for the A24, turned South, then West on the A272. At Wisborough Geeen, I turned off the main road to head back onto the green lanes. Just as I did so, I noticed that a game of cricket was in play on the village green. Spotting that there was also loads of space to park alongside the green, I instinctively pulled over. A few minutes later, all set out, I sat down to watch the game……. just as it ended.

It was then that I noticed the numerous warning signs. The signs made it clear that parking alongside the green when a cricket match was being played, was done so at one’s own risk! Later, I did notice that a house across the road had boards up at the window, evidently as a result of a cricket ball incursion.

The green itself is lovely and well-kept.

I was also impressed by the number of litter bins all around the green. There are also a number of Horse Chestnut around the green.

Red Horse Chestnut flowers

I decided to go for a walk.

Village sign

Village pond

I headed out back along the main road.

In a short distance, I turned right along a lane marked up as a bridleway. That became a track.

Prickly Comfrey

Red Clover

I crossed over the River Kird.

The footpath continues on

with views looking West towards Malthouse Copse.

Sweet Briar

Eventually I crossed the River Arun.

A little further on, I turned left and followed an old towpath alongside an old canal, the Wey and Arun Canal.

Cat-tail

A new bridge, Lordings Bridge, spans the canal at Lordings Flood Gates. The gates are no longer operational. Possibly, in part due to their lack of use, the canal has long since clogged up on one side.

On the south bank, the footpath becomes part of the Wey-South Path, which connects the South Downs Way to the North Downs Way.

After passing over a couple of footbridges,

the River Arun

is bridged by Orford Aquaduct.

Here, a unique waterwheel lock has been preserved. It is believed to be the only one ever in use. Completed in 1787, the waterwheel was driven by the flow of the river to raise water into the canal.

Shasta Daisy

Small-flower Sweet Briar

White Willow

Black Poplar

The footpath then crosses floodplain.

until meeting up with the River Arun again.

Hemlock Water Dropwort

Willow on the bank of the River Arun

Ladybird

I finally reached a junction where I turned North again and away from the river.

I walked along a hedge of mostly Ash

Common Burdock

Soon, I came to some steps leading up to a stile.

I then had to walk about a hundred yards along the road to a gate on the opposite side. The footpath then continues on to the village, thereby avoiding using the road.