Ancient yew tree

Cuckmere Haven, ©SDNPA/Sam Moore©SDNPA©SDNPA/James Giles Photography

SOUTH DOWNS NATIONAL PARKSECRETS OF THE HIGH WOODSThe South Downs National Park is rich in landscape,culture and wildlife. Discover ancient woodlands andenjoy spectacular views as you explore the open downs
and heathlands. Within these landscapes lie bustlingmarket towns and peaceful rural villages, historic houses
and the remains of ancient settlements.

Beneath the ancient woods of the South Downs National
Park lies a secret landscape littered with traces of thepeople who have lived, visited and worked here. Thewoods have protected this hidden landscape withfeatures unseen and unknown for many years, even by
the frequent visitor.

KINGLEY VALE – THE COUNTRY'SFIRST NATIONAL NATURE RESERVEYOUR COUNTRYSIDE CODE:RESPECT. PROTECT. ENJOY.

Using a laser light surveying method called LiDAR, theSecrets of the High Woods (SHW) project has revealed
the features and landscape beneath the trees. Capturing
305km2 of laser scanned data, the result was a detailed
terrain model showing the landscape hidden by the woods.

Enjoy the outdoors✦ Plan ahead and be prepared✦ Follow advice and local signs	This Hidden Landscape Trail leaflet introduces you
to the Secrets of the High Woods at Kingley Vale.	The route focuses on the Devil’s Humps, Goosehill	Camp and the little know Auxiliary units of WWII,
while highlighting other hidden ancient featuresthat the casual walker might miss.

FIND YOUR WAY

The woods do not give up their secrets easily andsome features take a keen eye, imagination andcareful navigation to locate.
LiDAR mapping is now available online for you toexplore more hidden features.

Look out for red kites and buzzards soaring above you.
Breeding birds at Kingley Vale include the nightingale,grasshopper warbler, blackcap, marshtit and green
woodpecker. Of the 58 species of butterfly that breedin England, 39 have been recorded at Kingley Vale,including chalkhill blue, holly blue and brimstone.
The Reserve also contains one of the most importantconcentrations of well-preserved archaeological sites insouthern England, including 14 Scheduled Monumentsof which the Devil's Humps and Goosehill are themost prominent.

HIDDEN LANDSCAPE TRAIL

Protect the natural environment✦ Take your litter home
✦ Keep dogs under effective control

Through the hard work and dedication of volunteers
and partners we have begun the process of researching
the revealed features and can now begin to tell some of
their stories.

Kingley Vale is known for its twisted and ancient yew trees
and includes a grove of veteran trees which are among
the oldest living things in Britain. Several are at least
500 years old, with the oldest measuring more than fivemetres in girth. It also has superb chalk grassland with anabundance of chalk-loving plants like birds foot trefoil,
kidney vetch and fairy flax. You can also find 11 different
species of orchid in the Reserve including bee, commonspotted, frog and fly orchids.

KINGLEY VALE

Respect other people✦ Leave gates and property as you find them
✦ Keep to the path unless on open access land

Kingley Vale was designated one of the country’s
first National Nature Reserves in 1952. It is owned by
Natural England and the West Dean Estate, who manage
the Reserve protecting its special habitats, wildlife
and heritage.

For more information on the project visit:
southdowns.gov.uk/secrets-of-the-high-woods

WINCHESTER

National Park Area
RailwayStationPETERSFIELDROWLANDSCASTLE
SOUTHAMPTON

MIDHURSTPULBOROUGHKINGLEY VALE

LEWES

CHICHESTERPORTSMOUTH

The Devil's Humps©SDNPA©SDNPA

Goosehill CampGOOSEHILL CAMPWORLD WAR II (1939–1945)

The Devil’s Humps on the summit of Bow Hill at Kingley
Vale Nature Reserve are fine examples of Bronze Age burial
mounds, and are amongst the most visited in the southeast. Barrows of this size and prominence in the landscape
may have been reserved for people of high status such aschiefs and priests.

On the hillside and hidden within the woods of Kingley
Vale lie the remains of an Iron Age settlement called
Goosehill Camp. Long hidden in the woods these ancientremains have been protected from the plough.

Home Guard Auxiliary Units
In 1940 the country braced itself for a threatened Germaninvasion. By July a planned ‘British Resistance’ was put inplace to counter any offensive. Known as the Home Guard
Auxiliary Units, they formed small patrols around thecoastline to sabotage the invaders' supply lines, equipment
and communications. The West Stoke Patrol was based at
Kingley Vale with their underground patrol base near thebottom of the valley, linked by telephone to an observation
post (OP) midway up the western ridge. The remains of thepatrol’s hidden OP can still be seen on the western ridge.
Whilst it now looks out onto trees, aerial photographs fromthe period show the site was then more open, giving
clear views. Please approach this site with care.

The western pair are of a type known as 'bell barrows', wherethe ditch is separated from the mound by a narrow step,
whereas the eastern pair are 'bowl barrows', whose ditches
are at the edges of their mounds and take the shape of an
upturned bowl. There are a number of other different typesof barrows in the vicinity, some hidden in the woods, others
reduced by ploughing, all of which indicate the high level ofBronze Age activity in this area.
The barrows may be the most familiar archaeologicalfeature at Bow Hill, however there are many morearchaeological features which are hidden from the casualobserver. The LiDAR survey not only allows us to view thesefeatures in greater clarity, it also allows us to view theindividual sites in the context of the wider landscape. Thiswill enable further research which will open up a window
into how people lived in the ancient landscape.

©SDNPA

LiDAR Image of the bell barrows

The views from Goosehill in 500 BC would have been
spectacular, stretching right across the valley. On afine day it would have been possible to see the Trundle
hillfort, with its gleaming white chalk banks and colourfulpalisade, on the top of St Roche’s Hill. Goosehill is one of
only a few well preserved examples on the South Downsof a wider Iron Age community that once occupied
this area.

BRIGHTON& HOVE

EASTBOURNE

Auxiliary patrol WW2

THE DEVIL'S HUMPS

The camp was made up of two concentric banks andditches which may have had fencing on top, creating
an inner enclosure for the family and an outer one for
their animals. In the central enclosure there were threeround platforms, suggesting there may have been threeroundhouses there. It was a small settlement, probably forjust one family group of relatively high status who may
not have lived there all year round. They may have only
lived in the camp when their sheep flocks needed to bewatched or protected – perhaps while they were lambing.
When previously excavating one of the roundhouses,
archaeologists discovered a collection of pebbles thatonce lay in a jar or basket. These pebbles might havebeen a store of ammunition for a slingshot – the weaponof choice to keep wolves and other intruders at bay, or forherding sheep on the South Downs.

BOGNOR
REGIS

Down the Range
In the late 1800s the enclosed hills of Kingley Vale wereused as a military rifle range. The peace of the valley was
disturbed again for live firing training activities throughout
World War II. The training at Kingley Vale probably reached
its peak in the months running up to D-Day from late1943 onward. Evidence of this can still be seen in shrapnel
damage on some of the ancient trees and craters on theground. The training also left large numbers of unexploded
munitions; it was not until 1990 that a proper clearance ofthe site was made resulting in 6,000 munitions of varioustypes being removed.
Munitions are still found to this day, in the unlikelihood offinding any old munitions don’t touch, mark it and report itto the Reserve Manager or police.

TAKE THE LEAD
For a safe and fun visit with your dog please remember
to keep them on a lead around livestock and wildlife.
Always bag and bin your dog poo – any public bin will do!

GETTING HERE
By Bus: Emsworth & District service stopping at Funtington,
Route 54 between Petersfield and Chichester on B2146,
at the Fox and Hounds. Kingley Vale is a 2.2 mile walkalong a country lane (Downs Road) out of Funtington (east).
Visit traveline.info or call 08457 484960 for details.
By Rail: Southern south coast services. The nearest railway
station with a direct bus link is Chichester. Kingley Vale is
3.5 miles from Bosham station via quiet lanes throughEast Ashling and West Stoke. Visit nationalrail.co.uk
for details.
Walk/Cycle: Take the NCR 2 which runs along the A259,
from Bosham head north through East Ashling to West
Stoke picking up signs for Kingley Vale NNR.

CONTACT
South Downs National Park Authority, South Downs Centre,North Street, Midhurst, West Sussex, GU29 9DH
01730 814810 info@southdowns.gov.uk southdowns.gov.uk@SDNPA/SDNPA@southdownsnp

Details correct at time of publication. Please be aware that routes are shared with other users(vehicles, pedestrians, dogs, horses etc.) and users follow this route at their own risk. SDNPA
do not accept any responsibility for loss, damage or injury, however caused, arising directly or
indirectly from use of this route.
SDNPA/fluiddesignstudio.com/June ‘17. Front cover photos: ©SDNPA/Mischa Haller. ©SDNPA/Anne Purkiss. Contains Ordnance Survey data. © SDNPA Crown copyright and database rights
2017. Printed on FSC certified paper.
With thanks to: Stewart Angell, James Dodd, Mike Kallaway, James Kenny,Chichester District Council, Steve Walker, Natural England.

HIDDEN LANDSCAPE TRAILKINGLEY VALE

Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve (NNR) is 5km north west of Chichester. The Reserve can be accessedfrom car parks at West Stoke and Stoughton. West Stoke car park offers the best access and has approx.
25–30 spaces but is not accessible for coaches. The Reserve is signposted from there and is about a 15
minute walk along an all access footpath from the car park to the main entrance. Here there is a small
field centre with permanent displays and more information about the Reserve, beyond this point the terrain
is more challenging.

NORTH

KEY
Parking

Hidden Landscape Trail

Point of interest

From West Stoke car park

Barrow

From Stoughton

Cross Dyke

National Nature Reserve –Nature Trail

National NatureReserve (NNR)

VIEW RANGERAll of our walk and ride leaflets
are now available for free on View
Ranger, the outdoor discovery app.
Simply download this easy-to-use
app using the QR code or visit:
southdowns.gov.uk/viewranger
for more details.
Discover: Get the Secrets of the High Woods app
The Secrets of the High Woods app is available
free on the app store. Travel back in time and viewinteractive 360˚ experiences and videos from
our ancient past.

HIDDEN LANDSCAPE TRAIL(INCLUDING WALK TO GOOSEHILL)● 4.4 MILES ● 7KM ● 3 HOURS (plus route from car parks)
GRADIENT: Some steep paths
PATH: Some uneven ground

ROUTE FROM WEST STOKECAR PARK● 0.75 MILE (to Hidden Landscape Trail)● 1.2KM ● 30 MINSGRADIENT: Level
PATH: Firm all weather path
From the car park pass through the wooden gate next
to the noticeboard. Follow the path to the entrance tothe reserve and the Information hut. Follow the Nature
Trail post onto the Hidden Landscape Trail as marked
on the map.

ROUTE FROM STOUGHTON
CAR PARK● 1 MILE (to Hidden Landscape Trail)● 1.5KM ● 45 MINSGRADIENT: Steady incline
PATH: Some uneven paths and ground
From the car park take the signed path on the bend inthe road into the wood. Follow the path bearing rightat the first junction. Continue up the hill through thewoods to the path junction with open views on the right.
From this point you can either turn left and head toGoosehill Camp or continue straight on turning rightat the next junction towards the Devil’s Humps and theremainder of the Hidden Landscape Trail.
West Stoke OP©SDNPA/Stewart Angell

POINTS OF INTEREST

A: Auxiliary Patrol Observation Post Base
(See main text)
World War II 1945–1939
Grid Ref: SU 81811 10507 Search difficulty:_____APatrol basereconstruction©Staybehind.com

B2141

GThe collapsed remains of West Stoke WWII Auxiliary
Patrol underground store or hide out. The hatch way
was constructed from four support posts and rivetedwith corrugated iron. This hideout would have been
camouflaged and very difficult for any enemy to locate
when in use.

STOUGHTONB

STOUGHTON DOWN

G

B: Barrow
Earlier Bronze Age 2200BC–1500BC
Search difficulty:_____H

Barrows are earth mounds covering a tomb or burialof someone of note, the shape and construction varies
as does the location in the landscape which have allchanged over time. There were a number of barrows
around Kingley Vale dating from the Neolithic period(c. 4500BC) through to the Bronze Age and beyond, themost prominent of which are the Devil’s Humps. At thetime of use these mounds of white chalk would have beenprominent in the ancient landscape. Over time manybarrows were plundered for valuables or excavated byearly amateur archaeologists and antiquarians resulting
in the loss of evidence of our past.

STOUGHTON

Scale at A4AiMAONRCWH’SAYECBOWHILLBSTOUGHTON DOWNCDC: Cross Dykes
Bronze Age 2500BC–700BC
Search difficulty:_____CHH VALEKINGLEY

Cross dykes are ancient linear features comprising a ditchand bank. They are features of early land use and arecommon on the slopes and ridges of the South Downs,
seeming to date from the late Bronze Age to early Iron
Age. Their exact function is unclear, but it is thought thatthey may have been marking the territory of a farming
community or area of livestock management. The crossdykes at Kingley Vale form a broken boundary aroundBow Hill and are thought to have denoted a special
ceremonial area at the crest of the hill.

MORNACHA’S W

NATURERESERVE

Y

GOOSEHILL CAMPECICG

D: The Devil’s Humps (See main text)
Earlier Bronze Age 2200BC–1500BC
Grid Ref: SU 82000 11100 Search difficulty:_____THE DEVIL'S HUMPS

Known as the ‘Devil’s Humps‘and the ‘King's Graves‘
many legends and folklores surround these Bronze Agebarrows. Whatever the truth the commanding position atthe very top of Kingley Vale is a clear indication that theymarked the resting place of important people, perhaps
tribal leaders. This may be evidence of the beginnings ofsocial hierarchies at this time.

STOUGHTON

E: Enclosure – Bow Hill CampBronze Age 2500BC–700BC
Grid Ref: SU 82492 11580 Search difficulty:_____BOW
HILLCSTOKE
DOWN

DCB

STOUGHTON DOWN

F: Field system and settlement
Iron Age 700BC–AD43
Grid Ref: SU 82199 10762 Search difficulty:_____R
NA

In the bowl of Kingley Vale and located within a hidden
ancient field system are the remains of a small settlement
dating back to the late Bronze Age. This was comprisedof a group of roundhouses linked to a number of smallbanked compounds. The occupants, probably a familygroup would have raised livestock and farmed theCsurrounding fields.

NATURERESERVECHAWAS’YH

B

KINGLEYVALE

Bow Hill Camp is a small and particularly well-preserved
hilltop enclosure from the late Bronze Age. It is likely
to have been associated with the management andmovement of livestock. It utilises a cross dyke in its
boundary and is located on a prominent holloway path.

MOFFAJJHFF

G: Goosehill Camp (See main text)
Iron Age 700BC–AD43
Grid Ref: SU 82970 12650 Search difficulty:_____I

A multiple enclosure settlement known as Goosehill
Camp. Its features are clearly visible but you will need toexplore carefully into the wood, this is an archaeologicalsite that has been deliberately kept in its natural state –take care to leave it as you find it.

CWEST STOKEE

I: Lynchets
Bronze Age 2500BC–700BC
Grid Ref: SU 82268 10336 Search difficulty:_____
Across the bottom of Kingley Vale and clearly visible area number of lynchets running east to west. Lynchets areridges that form a ledge along a slope and are indicationof ploughing in ancient times.

BOW HILL

EReconstruction at
Butser Ancient Farm

©Butser Ancient FarmG

CGI images of Goosehill Camp
Download the Secrets of the High Woods app for the full 360 degree experience

SDNPA/Jam Creative Studio

SDNPA/Jam Creative StudioC

H: Holloway (hollow-way), sunken path
Bronze Age 2500BC–700BC
Grid Ref: SU 82467 11753 Search difficulty:_____

D

Holloways are characteristic features of the ancientlandscapes of the South Downs. They are either formed
by erosion, through prolonged use by animals andpeople, or specially constructed to level a gradient or tocontrol the movement of livestock.This is one example ofa number found within Kingley Vale.

STOKEDOWN

J: Flint Mine Bow Hill
Neolithic (New Stone Age) 4000–2500BC
Grid Ref: SU 82440 10870 Search difficulty:_____
This feature is perhaps evidence of the very earliest
human activity at Kingley Vale. During Neolithic and early
Bronze Age times nodules of flint were extracted fromunderground seams within chalk deposits. Flint mines likethis provided high quality flint for tools in a time before
the widespread availability of metal.

CBH