ST ROCHE’S ARBORETUM BY SIMON BAKER IRONS

During the summer months many of us are looking for a day out and living in Sussex provides us with so many opportunities to do this. For the summer edition walk, I have taken a visit to the West Dean Gardens that is nestled in the South Downs just north of Chichester. I have visited on many occasions and usually walked around the various gardens that contain working Victorian Glasshouses, a 300 foot pergola, the River Lavant with flint bridges over and sculptures which are set amongst the trees and plants. However, on my most recent visit to the gardens I ventured a little further and followed the 3.6km parkland walk to the lesser-known St Roche’s Arboretum.

• From the front of the house follow the waymarked track across the Front Lawn and cross the River Lavant, a winterbourne that rises at East Dean and flows south to Chichester. The route continues into open parkland where sheep are freely grazing. As you head away from the house, see if you can spot the 14th chalk sculpture by Andrew Goldsworthy as featured on a previous walk.

• The track gently rises towards the trees of the arboretum. Just past the gate, the path splits into three ways, take the centre path which is known as the woodland walk. To the left is Grave Glade, which is the burial place of Edward James, who inherited the estate in 1912. As he had no children of his own, he set up the Edward James Foundation in 1964, which later inherited the estate and now runs as a charity. The Grave Glade has a discreet sign to enable visitors to identify it more readily.

• Leaving the Grave Glade, the parkland walk passes through the 20 hectares of the Arboretum. The path meanders past many rhododendrons, azaleas, an amazing handkerchief tree and a collection of large North American conifers that grow surprisingly well on the downland soils. The Great Storm of 1987 devastated the arboretum, felling many exotic trees. However, the storm that initially appeared disastrous has enhanced the park by changing it from being overplanted to a much better balance of open woodland and large glades.

• The path continues into the upper part of the landscaped park, where fantastic views can be had of the Jacobean West Dean Manor House that was built in 1622 and its surrounding gardens. A couple of benches strategically placed here give you the opportunity to rest your legs and admire the amazing views.

• The route descends steeply from the arboretum through more sheep grazed parkland. Views across to the Weald and Downland Museum can be seen to the right. After crossing back over the River Lavant the route conveniently finishes at the shop and café. The featured walk requires access to West Dean Gardens which incurs an entrance fee, however there are many free walks that can be done on the estate and a leaflet can be downloaded from their website.

To see more photos and walks please follow me on Instagram @piertopiertrekking

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