There are many positives, but . . .
It’s not circular. Much of it is on paved footways. There’s a busy road or two and a live railway line to cross. It is advised as unsuitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs. For much of the length it runs alongside a busy road. And, the killer for most, it is over seven miles in length.
os. If you view the Green Circle as a series of walks, it turns into something much more attractive, not to mention giving you a choice. It is favoured by dog walkers. There’s easy parking. As a special treat, there’s a series of sculptures to brighten your walk. The surfaces are generally good and although the literature tells us it is inaccessible to pushchairs, this is only for certain bits, as evidenced by the pushchairs I’ve seen in many places. Wheelchairs? Again, no problem in many places.
The ‘circle’ can be separated into sections, some of which, such as Ditchling Common, are included on other pages of this website. There’s a gentle arc to the west, running for almost the length of Jane Murray Way (if you are interested, which you are probably not, she was an assistant clerk in the council).
From the south end, once across Ditchling Road (but not in the rush hour) there is a little walk across Nightingale Meadows nature reserve, and Batchelors Farm nature reserve, the latter benefitting from a water tower, probably as much interest as an assistant clerk to the town council, but it is at least more prominent, if up a steeping climb. There’s little cover though. What there is is a tree-lined footpath that runs parallel with the railway up to Station Road, with some welcome shade. Half way along there’s a fork to the right which is part of the Green Circle. I’ll cover that in the weeks to come.
There are lots of places to park, mainly on-road, but there’s a dedicated on by, but no in, the Burial Ground. The council has recently place crossing points over Jane Murray Way, but no such luck across Ditchling Road. The same absence is to be found, or not found I suppose, for crossing Keymer Road and Folders Lane. I’d suggest that route is not for pushchairs or those not fleet of foot. Shame.
It is a varied walk and if you only want to walk a mile or two, there’s ample choices for anyone. I’ll cover it a bit at a time, as maybe you will.
I’ll be adding the walk from the London Road roundabout to Ditchling Common, another part of the Green Circle Walk.
Emily Temple, 1811-1874, was an artist, particularly a modeller of wax flowers. She was also a bit of a philanthropist, part funding St John’s Church and, in particular, bequeathing St John’s Park. Thanks for that. This sculpture, by Helena Roden, can be found just south of the burial ground. I like it. The flowers on her dress being particularly apt, but I’m sure she must have smiled during her life.
I saw a woman adding the plants to the statue and asked her why she did it. She said she didn’t want Emily to appear uncared for. Thanks for that, the woman whom I didn’t ask the name of.