RS Route 7 St Marys Church To Laybrook Farm

1.5 miles mainly flat on metalled track, minor roads and across fields. Only suited to pedestrians. If Cray’s Lane is followed from the church then it is fine for horses and cycles (1 mile).

At the start of the walk at the south western end of Cray’s Lane is the parish church of St. Mary’s. Mentioned in the Domesday Book parts of the present building date from the early 12th century. The church stands on a high point which provides great views across to the Downs and the building is notable amongst other things for its bell tower built in about 1500 which is not quite square in plan and which, rather than a spire or cap, has at the top a gabled roof which might have been added later or originally seen as temporary. Take the footpath away from Cray’s Lane heading north west, Bramble Lane, leaving the modest church hall and car park on the right. The structure of the track is worth a mention. It is made of two lines of concrete slabs which were put in place by Polish airmen during the Second World War. On the left is the rear of the former Thakeham First School which after 140 years moved to a bigger site in the south of the parish in 2017. The main buildings are to be preserved and the site developed for private housing. After 300 yards the path swings to the north east with the Glebe Field at the corner on the left. This site, leased by the Parish Council from the Diocese, is being enhanced as an area of mixed vegetation to encourage bio-diversity.

Three hundred yards of straight track are followed to Bramblefield where a junction is reached beside a single small modern house on the right. This was a brick farm building converted into a dwelling ten or so years ago. Take the footpath through a pedestrian metal gate adjacent to this property and cross a succession of fields on gently declining land to the north east. The path is not always easy to find but a series of gates and stiles at field boundaries give some help. After 500 yards or so across wet ground in winter Crays Farm is reached and the path leads through part of the farm yard adjacent to the house. There is also a usable path on the right leading to the road which should be taken to avoid disturbing farm dwellers.

On joining Cray’s Lane turn to the left and walk to the north east. After four hundred yards turn left onto Peacocks Lane. Both these lanes are single track but are used by more vehicles than suit a pedestrian - take care. On the right is the Pulborough Angling Society. This coarse fishing club is based here at its Goose Green site and provides sport on its eight lakes or ponds and seven miles of Sussex rivers. It marked its centenary in 2019. Beside it are some massive warehouses and a timber works. At the end of the lane is Homelea Farm on the left and the junction with the B2133 here known as Goosegreen Lane. Turn left and after a hundred yards on the left is Laybrook Farm. Across the road is the Laybrook site of Ibstock Bricks a major local employer and an important supplier of bricks to the nation’s building programme. This site was originally selected for sand extraction and there are current plans to extend the area of working away from the road to the east.

While this route is just to Laybrook Farm if the footpath immediately to the north of the farm and garden is taken then Route 5 can be joined after 200 yards for a return path to the centre of Thakeham. On leaving the B2133 through a gate keep to the left and follow the hedge through two fields before a gate and plank bridge across a stream is reached on the left.

On joining Cray’s Lane turn to the left and walk to the north east. After four hundred yards turn left onto Peacocks Lane. Both these lanes are single track but are used by more vehicles than suit a pedestrian - take care. On the right is the Pulborough Angling Society. This coarse fishing club is based here at its Goose Green site and provides sport on its eight lakes or ponds and seven miles of Sussex rivers. It marked its centenary in 2019. Beside it are some massive warehouses and a timber works. At the end of the lane is Homelea Farm on the left and the junction with the B2133 here known as Goosegreen Lane. Turn left and after a hundred yards on the left is Laybrook Farm. Across the road is the Laybrook site of Ibstock Bricks a major local employer and an important supplier of bricks to the nation’s building programme. This site was originally selected for sand extraction and there are current plans to extend the area of working away from the road to the east.

While this route is just to Laybrook Farm if the footpath immediately to the north of the farm and garden is taken then Route 5 can be joined after 200 yards for a return path to the centre of Thakeham. On leaving the B2133 through a gate keep to the left and follow the hedge through two fields before a gate and plank bridge across a stream is reached on the left

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