[On the left is Tilgate Forest, which is continued by Worth Forest, whence many lovely and lonely paths lead to Horstead Keynes and West Hoathly, whose church has a land-mark spire visible for many miles.  Underneath the tower will be seen two iron grave slabs.  Within the church notice the Geometrical windows and the triple sedilia.  The village is picturesque and well placed, and the local “lion”—­“Great upon little,” an effect of denudation, is well known.  The village is much nearer the Seaford road at Wych Cross, but from the present route we have the advantage of seven miles of woodland otherwise unexplored.

On the right from Pease Pottage, in the recesses of St. Leonard’s Forest, and two miles from the main route, is Holmbush Beacon Tower.  This should be visited for the sake of the magnificent woodland views; in the distance are the south Downs visible from Butser Hill behind Portsmouth to the hills surrounding Lewes.  Hindhead, Blackdown, Leith Hill, the North Downs and the Hampshire Heights are all visible on a clear day.

We are here in a remote district, the haunt of legend and folk-lore almost unequalled in the south.  Here St. Leonard put an end to the career of a fierce and fiery dragon, but not before the saint was grievously wounded, and where his blood fell now grow the lilies of the valley, common here but nowhere else in the neighbourhood.  Headless horsemen, who have an unpleasant habit of sharing the benighted traveller’s steed; witches and warlocks; white-ladies and were-wolves are in great plenty, and the normal inhabitants of the forest must have a fervent appreciation of the high noon and the hours of daylight.]

The two miles south of Pease Pottage are the highest on the road culminating at Handcross, 504 feet (33-1/2 m.).  The road now descends the steep and dangerous Handcross Hill.

    [At the foot of the hill, half mile right, is Slaugham ("Slaffam”)
    with a Decorated church, old font and brasses.]

Bolney Common (37-1/2 m.) in lovely surroundings.  The church has early Norman, or as some authorities declare, Saxon features.  The Norman south door, covered by a wooden porch dating from the eighteenth century, should be noticed.

[Cuckfield ("Cookfield”) 3 miles left, amidst beautiful scenery, with a fine Early English church commanding a glorious view.  Note monuments and handsome reredos.  Cuckfield Place is the original of “Rookwood,” but has been “improved” out of its ancient character.  The Jacobean gate house still stands unrestored at the end of the avenue.  Close by is Leigh Pond, a fine sheet of water.]

Albourne Green (42 m.), for Hurstpierpoint (1 m.), beautiful views of the South Downs which we now ascend to Pyecombe (45-1/2 m.).

Preston (49-1/2 m.).

Brighton (front 51-1/2 m.).

THE HORSHAM ROAD