A RAMBLE TO BUDDINGTON BOTTOM — AND BACK
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Copyright Valerie Martin 2003
Commence at Cissbury Ring
Head

Ignore the gated footpath here on your left over the Gallops — and also the later turning to the left wending its way down to Nepcote Green.
Turn right and walk along the single-track tarmac lane, passing farm buildings on your left. At the joining of tracks, leave the tarmac and take the left-hand bridleway (rather muddy in winter but O.K. the rest of the year) to Buddington Bottom.
Follow this path through the trees and pass through the gate-way into the open green valley which is sometimes occupied by cattle — and numerous pheasants. Once in the valley, Chanctonbury Ring disappears from your view. Proceed up the gently sloping valley and head for the gate-way into the woods.
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This track winds through
the trees passed the site of Upper Buddington Farm — and cottages complete with
well, now lost in the undergrowth.
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— and part of an iron bedstead abandoned in the undergrowth on the site of the cottages .... perhaps used by the last occupants?
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![]() Buddington Farm. A dim memory of yesteryear that was. Date unsure, you will have to make a calculated guess. |
![]() This photograph was sent to me a long time ago as depicting "Buddington" but I have no confirmation that it was this particular site.... in fact I am very sceptical that it is but I will leave this photograph "on" until another drops on my doormat. |
| 11th November 2004 Dear Valerie, I have never seen a photo of Buddington Farm House I wish the one you showed was. It looks too big for a house down there I remember going
into the scullery of it in the war years and throwing stones down the well
counting till they hit the bottom it was very deep, all that is left today
is the well covered over. The Canadians used the house for target
practice.
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| 12th November 2003 Valerie - I agree with John Pelling that the house in the picture looks a little too big to be Buddington Farm, and I like John remember dropping objects down the well, these included a rather nasty live sticky bomb. There was also an abundance of soft fruit to be picked
from the deserted garden.
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This is just prior to where the path culminates in a fairly stiff climb alongside fields. You will now see Chanctonbury clearly once again as you come out of the valley.
John Stepney of North End, Findon, tells me while researching his family history (in particularly John Styles his Great Great Grandfather who was a coachman at Wiston House) he heard that the Buddington children of yesteryear went to the Wiston school — now a private house. To get to school each day they had to walk in all weathers up to Chanctonbury Ring — and down the steep North side before eventually arriving at school.
Sometimes in the winter, due to the dark or mist, they were late and got the cane. The teacher was aware of the distance they had to travel across the downland and fields but this did not stop them children being punished.
To help the pupils get to school on time (and back home at night in the mist or dark) one of the concerned Buddington fathers laid large lumps of chalk along the way to guide them.
To continue with the walk in the 21st century. On emerging to a wider track bear left and immediately left again at the cross-roads heading straight towards Chanctonbury. Passing through the gateway to the right of the cattle-grid, you will see a restored dew-pond on your left. Straight ahead are the few remaining beech trees of Chanctonbury Ring plus newly planted saplings.
Continue if you would like another walk, this time A Hike to Stump Bottom — and Back.






