Ansty – Discover Walking and History

Ansty is a destination for travellers who want to combine walking with views of historic buildings and traces of the landscape's past. Several specifically named routes pass through wooded sections, over small streams and past a vineyard. There are also historic buildings in Ansty and in the parish of Ansty and Staplefield, as well as a well-preserved moated fortification in Ragget's Wood. This allows you to plan your days around different interests without limiting yourself to just one way of exploring.

Walking routes with different starting points

The moderate walking route “Walk 2: Ansty to Handcross” is 7 miles (11 km) long and starts at Ansty Recreation Ground. If you plan to take this route, its full length is one of the specific details you can take into account when organising your day. The “Ansty to Handcross Walk” leads from Ansty Sports & Social Club via Deaks Lane and a signposted footpath past a vineyard.

Another option is the “Ansty Circular Walk”. It leaves Ansty Recreation Ground via Deaks Lane and a public bridleway. The different names, starting points and routes help you decide in advance whether you would like to look more closely at an 11-kilometre route, the course via a signposted footpath or a circular walk. For families with different interests, this choice can be a good opportunity to coordinate the day's plans together.

Woodland, streams and open countryside

On the “Ansty to Handcross Walk”, the route passes through a wooded section and crosses several small streams. The “Ansty Circular Walk” also includes a stream crossing and a wooded section, and additionally leads across a field. These details give the walks a clear landscape character: depending on the route chosen, woodland, streams or an open field section form part of the described course. When choosing your holiday accommodation, you can therefore consider which focus should shape your excursions.

Historic buildings and traces of the past

The architectural history is also part of Ansty's character. Leigh Manor in Ansty was built in 1550. The Place on Cuckfield Road is an 18th-century Grade II listed building. In the parish of Ansty and Staplefield, Hilders Cottage on Bishopstone Lane is a Grade II listed building. Hilders Cottage is also a timber-framed building dating from the 17th century or earlier. Bigges Farmhouse, a timber-framed building from the 15th century, is also located in this parish.

In Ragget's Wood, the moated fortification is well preserved. The waterlogging of the moat and fishponds helps preserve organic remains and environmental-historical evidence relating to the site's economy and the landscape in which it was established. Those who are interested in historical connections as well as walking can incorporate these various aspects into their personal travel planning.

Choose accommodation to suit your travel plans

When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday cottage in Ansty, it helps to have a clear focus: Should the holiday be shaped primarily by the walking routes with their streams and wooded sections, or would you also like to allow time for the historic buildings and the fortification? The known route lengths, starting points and route features provide specific points of reference.

Other places for orientation

For further orientation, you can also consider Stedham, Wisborough Green, Fernhurst, Walberton, Hurstpierpoint, Burgess Hill, Billingshurst and East Wittering.

For the broader travel overview: West Sussex.