Date: TBC
Start: Elsted
Start Time: 10.00
Distance:  6.75 miles
Terrain: One long, steep climb

Sign up through Eventbrite HERE

Our guide for this journey is local farmer, historian and walker Andrew Shaxon. Today, he takes the role of shepherd, and we are his flock, leading us through a landscape that has been shaped by faith in God, in animals, and the steady turning of the seasons.

Sheep and the Downs belong together, bound by centuries of shared use and quiet dependence, like a hand in a fleecy glove. At lambing time the fields beneath the scarp slope of the Downs between Elsted and Didling feel especially alive, with lambs testing their legs for the first time and ewes keeping a close watch.

Along the route we will visit and learn about a couple of small churches tucked beneath the Downs, each with its own story to tell. These were places of refuge, worship and gathering for shepherds and farming communities who once worked these slopes daily.

The walk crosses open sheep pasture before climbing the Downs for a wide, shepherd’s view back across the fields below. It is a rewarding walk for both its landscape and its stories, offering a glimpse into a way of life that has shaped the Downs for generations.

The walk ends at the 3 Horseshoes Pub in Elsted…..should you want to have a drink or bite to eat.

RURAL STRIDES

Rural Strides is passionate about the rich history and cultural landscape of the Western Weald. Through our engaging guided walks, we bring the land to life. We interpret its stories, uncover its heritage, and reveal the character that makes this corner of the South Downs so special. Along the way, we introduce you to inspiring local businesses, each rooted in the community and landscape we share.

Our aim is simple: to create authentic, memorable experiences that connect you with the place and its people. By the end of a Rural Strides walk, you won’t just have explored the Western Weald, you’ll feel like a local.

Read more about the Western Weald here

View our other walks here