Hidden Hiorne

The walk from Swanbourne Lake to Hiorne Tower is one of those hidden West Sussex gems that rewards you with changing views at every turn. I'd been walking through the lush summer greenery on this July evening, drawn by the promise of beautiful light and the prospect of photographing this unique 18th-century folly. As the path wound through the trees, Hiorne Tower would appear and disappear through the foliage, playing hide-and-seek with me.

When I reached this spot, the tower was standing tall against the backdrop of the South Downs countryside, partially hidden amongst the dense summer canopy but commanding attention nonetheless. The soft golden light of the setting sun was filtering through the trees, bathing the whole scene in warmth and highlighting the beautiful textures of the greenery. The path itself, framed by trees on both sides, created this wonderful sense of journey and discovery.

Hiorne Tower, built in 1787 as an eye-catcher folly for Arundel Castle, has this romantic, almost storybook quality to it. Seeing it nestled among the trees at sunset, you understand why it was placed here—it's both a destination worth reaching and a beautiful architectural surprise in the landscape. The journey along the path is as captivating as the tower itself.

When you look at this photograph, I want you to feel that sense of peaceful exploration—walking the shaded path from Swanbourne Lake as evening light filters through the summer trees, with Hiorne Tower standing as your charming destination, half-hidden in its lush green setting on the South Downs.