Funtington, near Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 9BP
Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve
Mixed-habitat reserve
Source image
7.2
Wildland
Half day
Time
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Cost
Atmospheric
Feel
Why it's Wildland
7.2Ancient yews twist through a landscape of chalk grassland and open hilltop views. The reserve’s archaeological landscape includes Bronze Age burial mounds known as the Devil’s Humps.
Kingley Vale brings together extraordinary old yews, chalk downland and archaeological remains in a single South Downs landscape. The climb rewards walkers with wide views towards the coast, but the terrain is steep and challenging in places.
Atmospheric · Ancient-feeling · Dramatic
Find your way
Open mapFuntington, near Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 9BP
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The experience
Explore a South Downs reserve of ancient yews, chalk grassland and hilltop views. Routes include steep sections, so allow time and wear suitable footwear.
Things to do
Walk among the ancient yews
Explore the reserve’s distinctive yew woodland and look for the trees’ twisted, sculptural forms.
Climb for the South Downs and coastal views
The reserve’s hill routes rise to panoramic views towards the coast. Expect steep sections and check conditions before setting out.
Explore chalk grassland and woodland
The reserve includes grassland, chalk and forest; notice how the landscape changes as the path climbs.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · About 2.5–3.5 hours
Quick Escape: the yews and the view
- 01
Start from the route guide’s stated trailhead; confirm the correct access point and parking before travelling.
- 02
Follow a walking route into the reserve, allowing for steep inclines and gates or stiles.
- 03
Take time among the ancient yews and continue to a hilltop viewpoint if conditions and energy allow.
- 04
Return by the route you chose, allowing extra time for uneven or steep ground.
Half day · Half day
Make a half day of it: yew woodland, chalk hills and archaeology
- 01
Set aside time for a circular walk; Experience Sussex lists circular routes, while the route guide describes a longer walk with steep sections.
- 02
Pause among the twisted ancient yews and look across the chalk grassland.
- 03
Include the Devil’s Humps or Goosehill Camp only if your chosen route and conditions make them practical; confirm their exact route position before setting out.
- 04
Finish with time at a hilltop viewpoint for the broad South Downs and coastal outlook.
Verified history
Kingley Vale contains an archaeological landscape that includes the Bronze Age burial mounds called the Devil’s Humps and the Iron Age Goosehill Camp. These features are identified in the supplied attraction description; their precise locations and access routes have not been independently established from the supplied sources.
When to go
· A clear day is preferable for the hilltop views. No specific time of day is verified.
The supplied sources do not establish seasonal highlights or best months.
The route includes steep inclines. Check weather and ground conditions and wear suitable footwear.
The route
- ascent
- 1,234 ft reported by the route guide
- stiles
- The route guide reports numerous gates and stiles.
- distance
- 5 miles return for the route described by 10Adventures
- duration
- 2.5–3.5 hours
- difficulty
- Easy rating in the route guide; steep inclines are also noted. Treat as a walk with challenging sections rather than assuming it is easy throughout.
- route shape
- Circular route listed by Experience Sussex; confirm the chosen route before setting out.
- start point
- The route guide gives a trailhead near 50.872264, -0.829228. This is separate from the accepted Google main-place pin; confirm the start point and access before travel.
- parking start
- Experience Sussex lists car parking. Exact parking location, capacity and cost are not verified.
- Ancient yews
- Chalk grassland
- Hilltop views towards the coast
- Bronze Age Devil’s Humps and Iron Age Goosehill Camp, subject to route confirmation
What to look for
Look for the twisted forms of the ancient yews, chalk grassland, and the Bronze Age burial mounds known as the Devil’s Humps. The supplied sources also identify Iron Age Goosehill Camp as part of the reserve’s archaeological landscape.
The story
Archaeology
Best time to go
No verified best season supplied. Choose a clear day for the hilltop views; check conditions before setting out.
Choose a clear day for the panoramic views from the higher ground. No more specific seasonal timing is verified by the supplied sources.
How long to spend
Half day
Perfect for
Walkers · Photographers · History lovers · Wildlife lovers
Before you go
Address
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
A visitor destination with walking routes through woodland, chalk grassland and hills. Experience Sussex lists car parking and circular routes; check current access and parking arrangements before travelling.
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Parking
Car parking is listed by Experience Sussex. The source row also reports parking options, but does not establish the current location, availability or cost. Check before visiting.
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Toilets
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Food & drink
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Dogs
Experience Sussex lists dogs as welcome. Check current reserve guidance for restrictions and keep dogs under control.
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Accessibility
Experience Sussex describes steep and challenging terrain in places. A wheelchair-accessible car park is reported in the source row, but access beyond the parking area is not verified. Check current conditions before visiting.
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Cost
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Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
Place photograph6.8Boxgrove Priory
Church Lane, Boxgrove, near Chichester, West Sussex PO18 0EE
8.4 km away
Source image6.0Staunton Country Park
Stable Cottage, Staunton Country Park, Petersfield Road, Havant PO9 5HD
10.2 km away
