The walk encompasses several elements that alone make it well worth your while. When combined however they make for an unforgettable four-day journey. Highlights include:

• Walking through the stunning South Downs National Park with beautiful countryside and long views over the Solent to the Isle of Wight.

• Exploring ancient church buildings, all dedicated to St Mary, from the simple remote single celled church at North Marden to the grandeur of the Lady Chapel at Chichester Cathedral; the ancient priory church of Portchester nestling within the walls of the Roman castle, the Saxon minster at Singleton and with the Norman gems of Droxford, Buriton, South Harting and East Lavant in-between. 

• Visiting Portchester Castle, the Royal Armoury, The Sustainability Centre, Queen Elizabeth Country Park and the Iron Age hill top forts of Old Winchester Hill and The Trundle.

• Small country villages with hospital pubs.

• Exploring the medieval mindset; why were elements of the interior church architecture first created and subsequently destroyed at the Reformation.

• Each day is a moderately difficult walk of between 10 and 13 miles, but gives time to both exercise the physical body and intellect; time to improve fitness whilst stimulating the mind through reflection, observation and appreciation.

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On your first day, after exploring the Portchester Castle and St Mary’s church, you walk beside the shoreline of Porstsmouth harbour before turning inland and climbing Portsdown hill to the Royal Armoury, situated in one of Lord Palmerston’s “folly’s” – Fort Nelson.

You then continue northwards to Wickham, where there are many places to stop for lunch, and pick up the Meon Valley Trail, a disused railway line, which takes you all the way to Droxford where you can explore St Mary’s church.

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The second day takes you further along the Meon Valley Trail until you meet the South Down Way (SDW), where you turn east and cross over Old Winchester Hill, an ancient Iron Age fort with amazing views southwards to the sea, you pass by the Sustainability Centre, where the Beech Café has a great selection of delicious food and drink. 

You walk on to Queen Elizabeth Country park before leaving the SDW and descending to Buriton village, where there is another St Mary’s church.

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Your third day takes you back up to the SDW which you continue until descending to the village of South Harting, you will arrive for an early lunch at the White Hart, an ancient coaching inn, and a chance to explore the local church dedicated to St Mary. Afterwards you climb back up onto the SDW and continue to the National Trust’s Harting Down. 

You leave the SDW near Telegraph house, built on the site of the old London to Portsmouth semaphore station, and walk to North Marden, where there is the tiny and remote St Mary’s church. After visiting the church you make your way to Chilgrove, where there is a great pub/restaurant with accommodation – The White Horse.

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Your final day takes you through the West Dean estate to Singleton, where there is another charming ancient church dedicated to St Mary. From there you climb The Trundle, a steep hill with an Iron Age fort, near to Goodwood race course, with views to Chichester Cathedral and Chichester harbour below. 

You descend to the village of East Lavant and visit St Mary’s church – either before or after lunch at the lovely Royal Oak pub. Fully refreshed you make the last few miles to Chichester, passing by the Festival Theatre and entering North Street you turn towards the Cathedral at the Market Cross. Your final destination is the Cathedral’s Lady Chapel.