Summer Sussex Walks from Artelium Wine Estate
Discover our new Sussex Winelands route and other beautiful Summer walks from our Sussex home.
Fill up the water bottle and put on the sunscreen, Summer is here and long days and dry footpaths make it the perfect time to discover the ancient tracks and thoroughfares that surround the Artelium Wine Estate.
With the hedgerows buzzing with life, our estate is the perfect place to base yourself for family-friendly rambles in the woods or longer yomps up onto the South Downs. All, of course, ending with a glass of something delicious out on the terrace. Dogs are also very welcome on the estate.
Five of our favourite Summer walks
Most of the routes start at the estate, but can easily be started from Plumpton Train Station as well which is only a 30-minute walk across the fields from Artelium.
If starting from the estate, please only park during our opening times and do pop into the Tasting Room to say hi before you set off. For those of you who have been to us before, you’ll know our dog Poppy might be keen to join you for your walk. Please do not let her!
Be aware that fields may have livestock in them, so please keep your dogs under control. The footpaths can also get muddy so be sure to bring appropriate footwear.
Here are the five walks…
NEW WALK: Sussex Winelands Route
Length: ~ 3hrs
Walk from Artelium - via Plumpton Station - onto the South Downs Way and then back to Artelium in this fantastic circular walk that takes in the glorious views across the Sussex Winelands. The perfect walk for those looking to fill a morning or afternoon. Can start the route at either Artelium or the Train Station. Route instructions.
Sussex Woodland Walk
Length: ~ 30mins
An easy woodland walk, perfect for the family. Discover this ancient Sussex woods on the edge of the estate. But watch out! It can get a bit muddy. Route Instructions.
Streat Church Walk
Length: ~ 1hr 20mins
A gentle circular walk on the with a stop for cake at Suzy’s Streat Food. Head south towards ‘The Ridge’, before taking in the beautiful old church in Streat. Route instructions.
Walk to the Jolly Sportsman Pub
Length: ~ 2hr 20mins (not including pub stop)
A good yomp that takes in one of our favourite local pubs with this route. Don’t forget to say hi from us. Route instructions.
Plumpton Station to Artelium (Long Route)
Length: ~ 2hr (not including a glass of wine at Artelium)
Coming from London or elsewhere by train? No problem. Our friends at Sussex Modern pulled a walk together that starts and finishes at Plumpton Train Station.
There is also a shorter, more direct route from the station to Artelium.
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Although the Bluebells only come out in April, this is still a beautiful woodland walk at any time of year. Great for the family and dogs.
Park at the Artelium car park and say hi to us in the tasting room.
Follow the footpath West alongside the paddock, towards the vineyard, turning right towards a wooden gate.
Once through the gate turn right at the footpath, alongside the vineyard heading North.
You will come across fork in the path, please take the left-hand turn and a step onto the bridleway, and follow the path through the woodlands.
The path continues alongside Gallops Wood across a bridge and then through Blackbrook Wood, towards Middleton Common lane.
When you’ve walked far enough (or start to get thirsty), turn around and head back towards Artelium, following the bridle path eastward and then southward towards the vineyard.
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Instructions start from Artelium Wine Estate, but you can also start from Plumpton Station if travelling by train.
NOTE: Komoot route starts at Plumpton Station.
Starting from Artelium Wine Estate:
Turn right out of Artelium on to Streat Lane, before taking the next left towards Shergolds Farm.
When you reach the farm entrance turn right down the footpath that runs alongside the hedge.
After ~200m take a left and head over the stile across the fields.
Cross three fields until you reach Riddens Lane. Turn right and follow lane into Plumpton.
Turn right at the village stores and walk to Plumpton Station.
Enter the station and cross pedestrian bridge, exiting from Platform 1, heading south towards the racecourse.
Keeping the Racecourse to your right walk south, past the main entrance until you reach a junction
Turn right and then immediately left along a footpath.
Follow the footpath for ~20mins until you reach the main road.
Cross the mainr oad and take the footpath up on the South Downs.
The route now links up with the South Downs Ways. On your left in ~500m you will see the Pink Pit Stop - great place to have a refreshment and enjoy the view.
Keep following the South Downs way. 500m before Ditchling Beacon car park, a footpath arcs down to the right, cut deep into the chalk. Follow this foopath.
Footpath takes you off the Downs and into the picturesque village of Westmeston.
Walk through the churchyard and spot some of the rare flowers that call it home.
Head out of the village eastwards along the lane before turning left at small foothpath which takes you through a field.
Walk through the field and aroundOld Middleton house before hitting another footpath.
Turn left and head north. Stay on this footpath for ~45mins all the way back t Artelium. You will go under railway bridge and then pop out at the bottom of the vineyard.
Track up the right handside of the vineyard before turning right at the estate. We will see you there!
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Turn right out of the Artelium driveway, heading south down Streat Lane.
After ~200 meters, turn left down Riddles Lane towards Shergolds Farm, Continue along that road until you reach a bridleway turning to the right in front of Shergolds Farm.
Turn right through the gate and down the wide gallops. At the bottom is a stream.
Go through the gate and cross the footbridge over the stream and through the railway tunnel.
Carry on along until you reach a T-junction with a bridleway. Turn left, and follow the bridleway until you see a raised wooden footpath through the hedges to the right.
Go through the copse on the wooden footpath, over a bridge and out into the fields, hugging the hedge to your right.
Follow the footpath through the fields until you reach a road called “The Ridge” at the corner of Streat Lane. Turn right and the left towards the church and follow the footpath alongside the left of the church overlooking the graveyard.
Look out for Suzy’s Streat Food stand sign -yummy cakes and an honesty box!
Continue along this lane for ~500m until you reach the farm at the T-junction at the end.
Turn right. You are now on a lane that goes all the way back to the Artelium vineyard. Follow it until you reach the bridge and the railway at the bottom of the vineyard.
Turn right into Artelium and back to the Tasting Room or a glass or two and a bite to eat!
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Lovely walk with views of the South Downs and a mid-way pint.
Leave the tasting room towards vineyard.
Turn left out onto the bridle path.
Walk south towards the downs alongside the vineyard.
Under the railway bridge and across the bridge over the stream. Carry up past cottage and through the gate.
Head straight up the bridle path for around 20 mins.
You’ll come to Hayley’s farm near a group of cottages. Turn left to church up a stoney path.
Walk along the ridge to the church. - there’s a little bench in the southern side of the church yard corner if you need a break Cross over the road ( wiggle left & then right)
Follow the ridge to the end where you will see Ashurst organics on your right and Plumpton Racecourse on your left.
Along this side there’s a viewing point with a board pointing out some of the names of the hills on the Downs and interesting features.
Cross over Plumpton Lane towards East Chiltington Church.
Carry straight on along the path until you come to the church.
Past the church you’ll come to a t -junction . Take the left turn north and a short hop and a skip and you’ll see the Jolly sportsman on your right.
Head north from the Pub and follow the footpath until you reach the trainline.
Go under the train track and turn left.
Take the next right (if you have reached the Tennis Courts you have gone too far!)
Follow the stream and then cross it, before heading in a straight line until you hit North Barnes Lane.
Turn left and follow North Barnes Lane until you reach Plumpton Green village.
Turn right, and before the village shop turn left and take Riddens lane.
As the land arches right, take the stye in the hedge and walk across the fields.
Turn right when you hit the bridle path, through the gate and turn left.
Head down the track until you hit Streat Lane. Take a left and after 100yards you will see Artelium on your right.