Bignor Hill, Bignor Roman Villa and Bignor Village

Following the South Downs Way to a Spectacular Roman Villa

Much of this West Sussex walk is on protected National Trust land, so there is a great variety of wildlife to see (deer, rabbits, hares, pheasants, wild thyme, rock-rose, and orchids). At the start, there are magnificent views from the top of Bignor Hill, looking north to the tree-clad slopes of the South Downs and south to the coastal plain and the sea. This is also an exceptional walk for history enthusiasts, featuring historic sites across multiple eras.

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Start Point

Bignor Down

Grid Ref: SU 97375 12926

Total Distance

5.8 miles (9.4 km)

Total Climbing

245 metres

Estimated Time

3 hours

Difficulty Grade

Moderate

Trail Navigation Files:

💾 Download GPX Route Google Earth (KMZ) 📖 About Bignor

Ordnance Survey Explorer Map (1:25,000)

Essential paper map for exploring Arundel, Pulborough, Worthing and Bognor Regis:

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The Walk Report

The chalk ridge of the South Downs Way once provided a safe route for the Roman army from Chichester to London, along which they built Stane Street around AD 70. Today, the central embankment (agger) remains a pleasant grassy raised section to walk on. Passing Toby's Stone (marking a tribute to Toby Wentworth-Fitzwilliam, secretary of the Cowdray Hounds Hunt), the route runs near Barkhale Neolithic Camp, a rare New Stone Age settlement dating to around 2,500 BC.

The village of Bignor is a charming cluster of stone-built, russet-tiled houses cradled in a semicircle of the downs. On the outskirts are the remains of the world-famous Bignor Roman Villa, discovered in 1811 and renowned for its magnificent mosaics.

On the return route, you pass Holy Cross Church in Bignor, featuring an 11th-century chancel and a delicately carved wooden rood screen from 1320.

Acknowledgment: Text derived from the Out and Out Series; Discovering the Countryside on Foot. Pictures courtesy of Wikipedia.

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Bignor Hill, Bignor Roman Villa and Bignor Village

Ordnance Survey Explorer Map (1:25,000)

The Walk Report

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