Kingley Vale Walk: The Devil’s Humps Loop
The Devil’s Humps loop is a walk of roughly 3.4 miles (about 5.5 km) that captures the essence of Kingley Vale and its surroundings.

1. Start at the car park near West Stoke (postcode PO18 9BE). Follow the path into the nature reserve, passing through the magical ancient yew forest.
2. Continue uphill to the ridge-top area where you’ll encounter the Bronze-Age burial mounds known as the Devil’s Humps, dramatic raised earthworks that overlook the valley.
3. From there, the trail winds past open chalk grassland, offering splendid views towards the coast and across to the Isle of Wight on clear days.
4. The return leg brings you through woodland and beneath massive, gnarled yew trunks before descending back into the valley.
5. Finish back at the car-park; allow around 1.5-2 hours depending on pace and stopping for views.

Why It’s Worth Your Time

• The ancient yews are truly something to behold, some are among Britain’s oldest trees.
• The mixture of habitat: deep forest, chalk grassland, ridge-top vistas and historic earthworks gives this walk layers of interest.
• It’s accessible yet feels remote and while there are ascents, the route is very manageable for a sub five mile outing.

Practical Tips

• Wear sturdy footwear – the chalk grassland and dry valley terrain can be slippery when damp.
• Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a lead around grazing livestock and sensitive habitats.
• Parking is available at the West Stoke car park; arrive earlier on weekends for easier spots.
• A mid-morning or afternoon visit rewards you with better light for the views, and fewer crowds than peak summer hours.

Whether you’re drawn by ancient woodlands, sweeping downland views or the hint of human stories in the landscape, Kingley Vale offers a beautifully compact countryside walk that packs in big character.

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The walk gently rises as you leave the tree-tunnel and climb up to the windmill sitting atop Halnaker Hill (approx. 128 m elevation). The final stretch rewards you with sweeping views across farmland, down to the coast — on clear days you might even glimpse the Isle of Wight.

Why it matters
The windmill itself is a striking landmark: a tower mill built in the mid-18th century (c. 1740s) for the Duke of Richmond by the Goodwood estate. It was operational until it was struck by lightning in 1905, after which it gradually fell into disuse. Today it stands as a Grade II listed building. The hillside beneath is also rich in nature: chalk grassland here supports wildflowers and butterflies, making the trail a nature-lover’s bonus.

Practical tips
Wear comfortable shoes for the hill climb. Start from Boxgrove village hall for parking and signage. Allow about 1.5-2 hours for the full route, though you can shorten it by heading back before the summit. If you plan a clear afternoon, bring a camera — the viewpoint at the windmill is special.

Whether you’re keen on history, countryside scenery, or a gentle hike, the Halnaker Windmill Trail delivers a memorable outing.

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We are excited to step into their shoes to continue running this lovely Georgian guest house and welcoming guests from all over the UK and beyond.

Moving in on the 1st May in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic may seem like bad timing (to say the least!), so we decided to make the most of it, using the lockdown period to begin some refurbishment work and we are enjoying the chance to put our own stamp on the guest house rooms (watch this space).

We have also taken the opportunity to explore the countryside and coast, discovering lots of great new walks, runs and cycle rides with our daughters, Dolly and Martha.

We feel very lucky to be fulfilling our dream and we can’t wait to welcome our first guests in July. Here’s to The Old Store and a new direction.

Amy & Matt

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