Length: Main walk: 13 miles (21km), finishing in Amberley: 18¼ km (11.3 miles).
Short Walk, starting in Amberley: 16 km (9.9 miles).
Toughness: 4 out of 10
Trains: London Bridge: 9.35 Portsmouth Harbour train, (East Croydon 9.53) arriving Pulborough 10.51. Return trains from Pulborough xx.04. If you narrowly miss this train, catch the 9.39 fast Brighton train to Three Bridges and change onto the above Pulborough train, departing 10.22.
This walk climbs gently at first to give a panoramic view of the South Downs from the low hills above Pulborough, where it joins the Wey-South Path. This goes past two medieval bridges on the canalised River Arun and continues across the extensive water meadows of Amberley Wildbrooks to the picturesque village of Amberley.
After lunch the walk heads eastwards through the landscaped grounds of Parham Park, with its large herd of dark-coated fallow deer and views of Parham House. In the next section you go along the edge of Parham Airfield.
You then have the opportunity to spend some time bird-watching in the RSPB Pulborough Brooks Nature Reserve at Wiggonholt, which has a tearoom in its Visitor Centre, before a final stretch across the water meadows and alongside the River Arun back to Pulborough.
Lunch: There are two pubs in Amberley, after 8½–9 km on the main walk. In the village the BlackHorse (01798-831183) and the Sportsman (01798-831787), a pub with fine views over the water meadows from its terrace.
Tea: The RSPB Visitor Centre (01798-875851) at Pulborough Brooks is conveniently situated for a mid-afternoon break - open until about 4.30pm.
The Little Bean Café in Pulborough (01798-874777) closes 4pm Sun. It’s on Lower Street at the point where the route enters the village, about 1½ km from the station.
Other options for lunch and tea can be found in the directions here
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