Amberley to Pulborough Walk

25.7 km (15.9 mi), with 514/515m ascent/descent. For a shorter walk see below Walk Options.

7 out of 10, with 6 hours net walking time. For the whole outing, including trains, sights and meals, allow at least 10 hours.

The route follows the South Downs Way out of the scenic Arun Valley along some steep chalky tracks high up onto Bignor Hill for some magnificent views along the ridge, out to sea and across the West Weald. You leave the South Downs Way and pass Glatting Beacon with its transmission masts to then gradually descend from the ridge – not without a few short re-ascents up Farm Hill and Barlavington Down – past a few hanging woods into the Rother Valley. Pass the quaint setting of Duncton Mill and head for The Cricketers pub for lunch. Onwards you go through the magnificent Burton Park with its ponds, before you walk through several idyllic commons, part wooded, part sandy heathland, and eventually cross the Rother River and progress to Pulborough along a westerly route familiar from other walks, past the picturesque Stopham church and medieval bridge.

A shorter option descends steeply from Bignor Hill through hanging woods to the quiet villages of Bignor and Sutton.

• A Shortcut from Bignor Hill, through hanging woods to the quiet villages of Bignor and Sutton, cuts 5.8 km/3.6 mi and 126m ascent, rated 5/10. This involves wading through a streambed for a short stretch.
• Bus Line 99 Chichester – Duncton – Petworth (6 buses per day, Mon-Sat) runs through Duncton and Sutton, the lunch destinations. Most buses stop in Duncton, but for the others and in any case for Sutton, pre-booking is required: call 01903 264 776, 09.00-17.00 Mon-Fri, 09.00-13.00 Sat! In Petworth you must connect to below Bus Line 1.
• Bus Line 1 (Midhurst – Worthing via Pulborough Station, broadly hourly) follows the A272 and A283 through the last part of the walk area. Convenient stops for shortcuts are: Fittleworth and Stopham. Relevant buses leave Petworth 15.49, 16.54, 18.04, 19.14 and 19.44 (Sun: two-hourly to 18.44) and call Fittleworth and Stopham a few minutes later.

OS Explorer: OL10 (Arundel & Pulborough)
OS Landranger: 197 (Chichester & the South Downs)

Amberley Station, map reference TQ 026 118 is 74 km south west of Charing Cross and 8m above sea level. Pulborough Station, map reference TQ 042 186 is 7 km north of Amberley and 10m above sea level. Both are in West Sussex. Amberley station is on the London Victoria to Southampton West Coastway Line through the Arun Valley, with one train an hour, taking 83 minutes. Pulborough is one stop closer to London, services are half-hourly Mon-Sat, hourly on Sunday.

Saturday Walkers' Club: Take the train nearest to 9.00.

The Cricketers Duncton High Street, Duncton, Petworth, West Sussex GU28 0LB (01798 342 473). The Cricketers is located 13.0 km (8.1 mi) into the walk. Large and pleasant garden at the back.
The White Horse The Street, Sutton, West Sussex RH20 1PS (01798 869 191). The White Horse is located 9.6 km (5.9 mi) into the short walk.

The Swan Inn Lower Street, Fittleworth, Petworth, West Sussex RH20 1EN (01798 865 154). The Swan Inn is located 5.3 km (3.3 mi) from the end of the walk. The Swan has acted as a coaching inn since 1536, having grown from a 12th century Saxon enclosure that offered food and lodgings to weary travellers, to the building that you see today. The earliest parts of the inn are dated to 1382.
The White Hart (Hotel) Stopham Bridge, Stopham, Pulborough, West Sussex RH20 1DS (01798 874 903). The White Hart is located 2.3 km (1.4 mi) from the end of the walk. Situated by the River Arun next to Stopham Bridge, The White Hart is one of the most picturesque pubs and restaurants in West Sussex.

After the walk, please leave a comment, it really helps. Thanks!

You can also upload photos to the SWC Group on Flickr (upload your photos) and videos to Youtube. This walk's tags are:

National Rail: 03457 48 49 50 • Traveline (bus times): 0871 200 22 33 (12p/min) • TFL (London) : 0343 222 1234

Feb-23 Thomas G