Rook Wood

Wood, Forest in Sussex Chichester

England

Rook Wood

Middle Barn Farm Middle Barn Farm around 1985 — Middle Barn Farm Credit: James Dominick

Rook Wood, located in the county of Sussex, England, is a picturesque and serene forest known for its rich biodiversity and natural beauty. Covering a vast area, the wood is a popular recreational spot for locals and tourists alike.

The forest is characterized by its dense canopy of oak, beech, and birch trees, which provide a welcoming shade during the summer months. In addition to these dominant tree species, Rook Wood is also home to a variety of other flora, including wildflowers, ferns, and mosses, creating a vibrant and diverse ecosystem.

The wood is teeming with wildlife, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers. Visitors may catch a glimpse of resident fauna such as roe deer, foxes, badgers, rabbits, and squirrels, as well as a plethora of bird species, including woodpeckers, owls, and various songbirds. The tranquil atmosphere of Rook Wood is often interrupted by the melodic chirping of birds or the rustling of leaves as animals scuttle through the undergrowth.

Hiking and walking trails crisscross the forest, allowing visitors to explore its hidden corners and admire its natural wonders. These trails cater to all levels of fitness and offer breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. Moreover, Rook Wood features several picnic areas and benches, providing the perfect setting for a peaceful outdoor lunch or a moment of relaxation.

Overall, Rook Wood, Sussex, is a captivating destination for those seeking a connection with nature. Its enchanting woodland, diverse wildlife, and well-maintained trails make it an ideal location for outdoor activities and a sanctuary for anyone yearning for a respite from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

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Rook Wood Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 50.87652/-0.71537725 or Grid Reference SU9009. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Middle Barn Farm

Middle Barn Farm around 1985

James Dominick

Mill Lane, Halnaker view northeastwards

Mill Lane to the northeast of the village of Halnaker follows the route of the old Roman Road, Stane Street at this point. With its tunnel-like overarching canopy of trees it is a particularly attractive walk, especially with the Autumn colours beginning to show. Its beauty is well known, as there were numerous photographers about trying to take a particularly good photo of the scene. Mill Lane is so called because after a while it diverges from Stane Street, heading north to Halnaker Windmill atop nearby Halnaker Hill. See also SU9108 : Mill Lane section of Stane Street in Autumn and SU9108 : Mill Lane, Halnaker view southwestwards

Rob Farrow

Mill Lane section of Stane Street in Autumn

A view a little further along Mill Lane than SU9108 : Mill Lane, Halnaker view northeastwards (q.v. for more information). Ahead can be seen a gate which crosses the track with the public footpath being diverted to the south of the track but immediately parallel with it. The group of people seen in front of the gate are all photographers, hoping to get a really good photo of this very attractive lane in its Autumn foliage. See also SU9108 : Mill Lane, Halnaker view southwestwards looking in the opposite direction, from that gate.

Rob Farrow

Mill Lane, Halnaker view southwestwards

This view southwestwards along Mill Lane to the northeast of Halnaker, particularly shows the tunnel-like effect created by the trees overarching the track. I was far from alone in taking photos of this scene, as it seems to be a well-known spot with photographers trying to catch a fine example of Autumnal colours. The photo was taken from the gate seen in the distance in SU9108 : Mill Lane section of Stane Street in Autumn. At this point the public footpath leaves the main track and runs parallel with it on a bank immediately to the south. A little further to the northeast the footpath forks, with one footpath continuing roughly straight northeastwards along the old Stane Street route, while a second path heads northwards to SU9209 : Halnaker Windmill atop Halnaker Hill. See also SU9108 : Mill Lane, Halnaker view northeastwards

Rob Farrow

Iris berries in the verge

From research on the web, I believe that these berries belong to the "Stinking Iris" Iris foetidissima. They were growing in the verge beside the path just after it had departed from Mill Lane and was still following the route of Stane Street. The Stinking Iris is alternatively known as "Gladdon". See a photograph of its unusually coloured flower here TQ7818 : Gladdon or stinking iris flower with ants, Churchland Lane

Rob Farrow

Track to Halnaker Windmill

Having first walked along Mill Lane in a northeasterly direction, the footpaths diverge; one continues in a fairly straight line following the route of the old Roman Road, Stane Street, while the path seen here strikes off northwards climbing Halnaker Hill towards SU9209 : Halnaker Windmill. This is obviously the mill which gives the earlier track its name. See the linked photo above for more information on the windmill, and also SU9209 : Halnaker Windmill from the east

Rob Farrow

Halnaker Windmill

Halnaker Windmill as viewed from roughly the south shortly having passed the gate across the path seen in SU9209 : Track to Halnaker Windmill. This example of a Tower Windmill is actually quite stubby for that type, probably not requiring great height due to its elevated position on top of Halnaker Hill where it forms a prominent landmark. It was originally built in 1740, but had become a complete ruin by the early C20th. In 1934 it was restored by Sir William Bird of Eartham in memory of his wife. It is constructed of red brick, with a thin covering of burnt Sussex tiles, many of the latter having now detached. It has an octagonal "beehive" cap made from sheets of metal; a finial surmounts this. The windmill normally does have its sweeps (sails) but at the time of the photograph these had been removed pending further restoration of the entire structure. At present just two black metal mountings remain where the sweeps should be. On the opposite side to the sails is a wooden balcony where the (missing) fantail should be. The mill is only a shell with no internal floors or machinery, and access is strictly proscribed for safety reasons. Currently Heras fencing surrounds the base of the tower. Notices along the path to the windmill describe the council's intention to refurbish this monument. It is EH Grade II listed Link

See also SU9209 : Halnaker Windmill from the east for a view from a different angle.

Rob Farrow

Halnaker Windmill from the east

This view of SU9209 : Halnaker Windmill is from just south of east and shows the little balcony on the fantail side of the beehive cap (the fantail is missing). The windmill is positioned at the top of the 128m (420') Halnaker Hill - a nearby triangulation pillar is one metre lower. See the linked photo above for more information. See also SU9209 : Track to Halnaker Windmill for a more distant view.

Rob Farrow

Panoramic view from Halnaker Hill

This is a panoramic view north-westwards from the top of Halnaker Hill. In fact the sweep taken in here is probably from WNW to NNW. The photo was taken from the western edge of the enclosure on top the hill which includes SU9209 : Halnaker Windmill and SU9209 : Former military structure on Halnaker Hill

Rob Farrow

Former military structure on Halnaker Hill

This octagonal brick structure is just a few dozen yards to the east of SU9209 : Halnaker Windmill on the top of Halnaker Hill. I would guess that it dates from the Second World War period, being built therefore in the early 1940s. Inside there is still evidence of the concrete foundations for the gun or whatever else was sited here - other suggestions being a searchlight or a high frequency direction finding station, see SU9209 : Interior of military structure, Halnaker Hill

Rob Farrow

Interior of military structure, Halnaker Hill

Inside the SU9209 : Former military structure on Halnaker Hill are these concrete foundations which I assume were originally for a gun - probably an anti-aircraft gun judging by the height of the walls which surround it. Other suggestions are that it housed a searchlight or more intriguingly a high frequency direction finding station. The slit in the wall opposite is the only way of entering or exiting the structure, and the walls effectively overlap at this point so that one enters a little like entering a snail shell.

Rob Farrow