WALKS IN SUSSEX at COMPTON & WEST MARDEN (SOUTH DOWNS NATIONAL PARK) [4K]

In this episode of my series “ Walks in Sussex” I take a walk in & around the pretty villages of Compton & West Marden which are located 8 miles North West of Chichester in the South Downs National Park. My 4 mile circular route takes me from Compton, Southwards to West Marden and back - allowing me to enjoy some stunning countryside as well as exploring “Bevis's Thumb”!
I park my car at Compton and take a wander around the village, exploring the church, passing by the pub & delightful village green (that was once a pond in years gone by). The settlement is full of beautiful & enchanting properties - many of which are built with flint.
My route takes me South across fields towards West Hanger and then Bottom Copse (which has an amazing display of bluebells) to the small village of West Marden. I then head back North towards Telegraph Hill where I get to see some stunning views over into Hampshire.
At the most Northerly point of my walk, I get to explore a Neolithic long barrow known as “Bevis's Thumb” - named after a legendary local giant called Bevis!
My final destination is the Compton tear rooms for a well earned cup of tea.
On this walk, my usual companion, Logan, stayed at home and I was joined by a special guest -my youngster “Fiver” - who was on his best behaviour.
Map courtesy of Google Maps.
Music by Original Spruce (Copyright owner). Permission for me to use this track has been given to me by the copyright owner. 2022. Tracks (in order of appearance in the video): 1) Pembrokeshire, 2) Nicely Stone , 3) Eko Eko, 4) No Time For Lillies & 5) Martin Down. NB The first track (in the church) was not by Original Spruce. To download these tracks & other music by Original Spruce go to spruce1.bandcamp.com/album/fi...
For further videos in the series, please go to: / @daveford or my website at daveford5966.wixsite.com/website
My Facebook page is: / davescountrysidewalks
I use a GOPRO HERO 7, 8 or 10 Black Action Camera (sometimes with a Gimbal) & a Rode microphone (either a “Shotgun” or a Rode Wireless Go) together with a Canon Powershot SX530 HS.

[@craigmarsh3221]

Good evening dave very enjoyable video I did like the field with the path through it with the crops both sides nice to see fiver out for a nice walk very interesting and pleasurable video thank you Craig

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Craig. Yes, Fiver enjoyed his walk and indeed was on his best behaviour throughout!

[@keithjoseph5671]

Beautiful walk in the countryside of SUSSEX

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Keith. There were some super views on that walk on both sides of the valley.

[@wiseowl6354]

Lovely seeing “Fiver” ❤️ Thank you again for such a wonderful informative video. It was a pleasure as to join you both for such an enjoyable walk. ❤️

[@DaveFord]

Thank you. I think Fiver enjoyed coming out & being filmed!

[@laviniagray5637]

Loved the walk to Sussex my born place some great to see. Glad that the churches are opened up. The south Downs spent many hours walking there. A beautiful day thanks for the walk.

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Lavinia. I have a few more "Walks in Sussex" coming up on the channel soon.

[@jeanblemings5352]

Nice to see Fiver out and about again. He was being very good. Interesting legends around Bevis and his thumb!

[@DaveFord]

Yes, Fiver is turning out to be a good lad. Still need to work on his "recall" though!

[@geoffw8565]

Dave, nice interesting walk and lovely properties in Compton. Wonderful area of Britain !

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Geoff. Yes, there were some splendid houses there for sure.

[@lionelmarytravels6003]

Lovely area Dave. Nice gentle video with young Fiver, who doesn’t walk with you quite as well as Logan does. But he’s still learning. No one can replace the great Logan in our eyes.

[@DaveFord]

Cheers Lionel. Fiver is coming along nicely but his recall still isn't 100% so he stays on a lead when walking in "new" areas at the moment!

[@harveyshirleyrose]

It is such a beautiful village. I went to school there. I've got lots of wonderful memories of Compton :) Great video! :)

[@DaveFord]

Thank you. It certainly is very pretty around there - a lovely part of the county.

[@harveyshirleyrose]

@@DaveFord No worries and it certainly is a lovely part of the country :)

[@davidkeel]

You've done some excellent walks Dave. They are all appreciated ... I don't know how you know so many good places though ! : ) ... it's really Fab . From Dorset across to Midhurst... I see some of the places in your videos that I've personally visited over the years. The last hill you walked up in the video comes out on a road. A curved road which you drive up from that main road below. I used to park my car up there and also take friends from Bognor Regis there to look at the view. Incidentally Dave, I recently drove back to that curved road I mention, to see it again after 15 years and realized that the hedgerows and trees are a lot higher. So you no longer get the free access to view all around. Except if you're walking on foot like you. Best wishes Dave. Have a great summer.

[@DaveFord]

Thanks David. It was a lovely area for views around there for sure. Yes, although I tend to concentrate on Dorset, Hampshire & the New Forest, I have started to do the odd walk across into West Sussex from time to time for a bit of variety although with the cost of fuel now, they may be a lot fewer going forward! :)

[@davidkeel]

I know, the prices are crazy. Certainly less people will be driving as far for a while. I don't know when it's going to end. Maybe I should take up cycling !

[@ianford9661]

As always,enjoyed your video. There’s certainly plenty of scenic countryside in West Sussex, enhanced by the glorious sunshine. Looks like Fiver enjoyed his walk too ! How did he get his name ?

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Ian. Fiver is the name of one of the rabbits in the book / film "Watership Down". Basically I was just looking for a name that sounded different to my other two Whippets, Logan & Monty!

[@beejoyful7679]

Its nice to see Fiver learning. He is lovely and it will be so nice to see him progress on his way to becoming the elegant companion Logan is. I'm curious to know if you name your whippets, or if they are named as puppies and you keep the breeders' names? As always, we love your walks, and your research and commentary is fascinating. England's rich in history!

[@DaveFord]

Thank you. Whilst their respective breeders came up with their official pedigree names (Danluke Lord Sugar & Sochma Just in Time), it was down to me to give them their "pet" names of Logan & Fiver.

[@beejoyful7679]

@@DaveFord Their names suit them very well, you have chosen wisely, Dave!