Halnaker Windmill
Children will enjoy discovering a windmill at the top of the hill and exploring the ruins of Boxgrove Priory on this walk.
The Basics
Time: 1hr 40mins (or a shorter option of around 40 mins)
Distance: 4.2 miles
Terrain: Fields, tracks, kissing gates, one hill
Pushchairs: No
Dogs: Yes
Refreshments: The Anglesey Arms can be accessed from the trail
Toilets: None
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)
Photographers come from far and wide to see the famous tree tunnel at Halnaker, near Chichester, in its Autumn glory. But this is a walk for all seasons with an atmospheric ruin, vineyards and a hilltop windmill to see along the way.
The Route
For the full route, you will be able to follow the marked ‘Windmill Trail’ markers along the way. There is also an option to park closer to the tree tunnel/windmill and miss out the section from Boxgrove.
Begin by walking to the far end of the village hall car park and looking for the first way marker. You will need to cross the road and hit the footpath directly opposite.
The path will take you through a field. Turn left at the end of this first field and follow the edge of another field. Look out for the windmill symbols to bend left slightly before forking right, passing through some vineyards of the Tinwood Estate and then a little avenue of trees.
At the end of this section you will come to a gate, where you should turn right and walk along Tinwood Lane. Shortly, you will see a footpath on your left that goes into paddocks.
Cross the paddock before entering a larger field. At the other side of this field, the path goes through a little copse and takes you into another field. The path will lead you around the edge of this field before coming to a 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 the embankment 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.
Climb the path up through the field and the windmill will come into view at the top. You cannot go inside the windmill, but you can get up close and you will want to stop a while to appreciate the views.
Retrace your steps as far as Tinwood Lane. This time, turn left and walk along the lane. You will pass the entrance to Tinwood Estate before the paved lane turns into a track with Boxgrove quarry on your left.
Before the path takes a sharp bend to the left, go through the gate straight ahead 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 the priory ruins will become visible to your right over the hedge. Turn right through the hedge at the next finger post and you will soon find yourself at the church.
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 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 and a village store in Boxgrove.
We suggest viewing the interactive map below as a ‘Trails Map’ to ensure all the paths are visible:
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 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.