4 SWC-cies met on the platform in driving rain, separating themselves from a slightly larger other group. It had been raining for a while, so everyone was already donning what waterproofs they had and we serenely trod off into the Arun Meadows. They were not as waterlogged or muddy as feared, but one of us nevertheless slid and fell hand-first into some thorny bushes, cue a short First Aid-break.

On up out of the valley and at the quiet lane one crosses immediately, walker 5 was awaiting us. She (a car driver) had missed the train at P'borough by a minute and drove to said lane to drop her car there.

On up the Downs and the more one looked, the more the scenery looked like a proper wild mountain environment: driving rain, the tops in the clouds and the meadows a watery plain. An argocat driver in camouflage gear and with a couple of retrievers was seen driving into one of those large arable fields where sheep munch on what looks like mini-turnips or swedes (what are they?), but shots we did not hear.

On through the driving clouds with no views, down into the big dip past those extra-large barns and back up Bignor Hill, but the weather was still unchanged and the views were non-existent. The sound was dominated by the pitter-patter of raindrops on waterproofs plus the odd (unseen) plane on approach to Gatwick rather than by skylarks... No SDW through-hikers though either, on the plus side!

As per the forecast, the rain stopped just as we reached the final top and started our descent. This was interesting, to say the least: the steep bits through the wood were treacherous and slippy, the grassy bits were just slippy and most of the rest was taken over by running water, especially the final track into Bignor village, which "will be a streambed after heavy rain". And so it was. The two sneakers wearers were found out a bit.

By then we were behind schedule compared to the pre-booked table at The White Horse, but a phone call made sure they'd not give it away. Once there, we had a small table for 3 in a corner and 2 seats at the bar, some very pleasant food as well as fine drinks and extremely likeable staff. 90 minutes later we departed...

There then came some muddy tracks (bridleways) but we managed to dance around the fringes of the worst of it and mostly evaded the water-filled holes as well. The sky now even showed some blue streaks inbetween the bands of clouds and we had a fair amount of chat and banter. Passing the Swan Inn in Fittleworth, one could not fail to notice that it has been beautifully refurbished under (or for) its new management and was also busy for the time of day (16.00).

Approaching The White Hart in Stopham, it became clear that the 4 Londoners could just about make their next train, but the car driver would certainly miss hers out to Amberley to retrieve the car, so - purely out of solidarity, of course - we all popped in for a drink. The 16.50 (delayed by 25 minutes) and 17.04 trains we did then take. All in, a jolly good day out.

rain for 100 minutes then cloudy with some blue skies

Correction to train times: 17.50 and 18.04, of course...

14 walkers off the slightly delayed train set off in half-blue skies with fast moving clouds and a very fresh breeze. Mud was almost non-existent, even in the riverside meadows along the Arun. 4 fell a bit behind on the final bit of the first ascent to then take the shortcut and 3 others then also took the shortcut (the old main walk) via Sutton. Of those 7, only one lunched at The White Horse ("excellent though pricey"), the rest picnicked. 2 of the 7 then went straight for the 16.24, the other 5 paused at The White Hart in Stopham.

The group had been 'accompanied' by two glider planes most of the time while on the Downs, and that continued to be the case for the 7 main walkers. Skylarks were out in numbers, snowdrops looked a bit past their best, while crocusses and daffs were rare and not at their best yet. On the approach to Barlavington Down, we saw a large herd of deer crossing an arable field in flight mode and also heard some shots being fired, but none of the deer keeled over...

At Duncton Mill then, there were hundreds of trout in the millpond (used as a nursery maybe before setting them out in the commercial fishery ponds?).

The Cricketers had free tables and 6 of us lunched, with the 7th joining for a coffee.

On then through Burton Park and the various small heaths, with 2 walkers taking the bus from Fittleworth. Of the 5 remaining walkers, 4 went into The White Hart, while 1 marched on to catch the 17.55, claiming an important football game needed to be followed online.

A later report just in said that 1 early starter did the full walk and overtook one or more of the short walkers at Stopham. All in then: 15 in weather from mainly sunny to all grey skies always with a cold breeze and dry

Just curious if anyone else is tempted by the early start lengthy leg stretch....

Beautiful walk on the South Downs, where there were three at Amberlety Station, and one joined at the White Horse Sutton who had ran most of the way to catch us up. And two who did the longer version joined us just about three miles from home.

The weather was sunny all day, so the views were spectacular. A good pace of near 3 mph meant that we reached the White Horse before 1.30 pm, and we left just after 2 and we all enjoyed the food and the local Langham Ale. Sadly the White Horse has been gentrified and they have lost the back bar.

After the downs we were in the wooded weald, with some road walk. Sadly, the Swan at Fittleworth is looking fragile and up for sale. We met the tough 15 milers just afterward, to join us 12 miler weak ones.

The White Hart at Stopham Bridge was good for a half hour stay and then we walked in the near dark to catch the 4.57 train back.

Great day out.

Gavin

6 brilliant sunshine all day

The White Horse (Stopham Bridge pub) towards the end is closed.

Hey Andrew, do you mean the White Hart? Apparently, after another change of management, it is due to reopen tomorrow the day before this walk is scheduled.

@mark. hi. yes. good, its a lovely spot.

is the return train from Pulborough if you do the whole walk? and approx what time would that be? thanks!

17 off the train plus 1 other off a later one (walking the shorter version and catching up with some of the others near the end at The White Hart in Stopham): 18.

We initially had worse weather than forecast insofar as we got 20 minutes worth of a heavy shower on the early ascent to halfway up Bignor Hill. After that it was the forecast passing clouds with plenty blue skies and a fierce wind on the tops . The vast majority seem to have walked the main walk (ie long) version of the route today, but with the immediate breaking up into subgroups these days it's difficult to know for sure. Fine far views were had after the shower (all of the rest of the South Downs eastbound) as you would expect, not many walkers about, but plenty of cyclists. The first pubbies reached The Cricketers at about 13.40 and we got pretty efficient service and a fine table in the large back garden. The food was lovely (ie the finest steak I've had in a pub that wasn't a gastro pub) and they had plenty of kids doing the running, delivering drinks and food, taking orders etc. My group left at 15.00 and we thoroughly enjoyed the coming stretch through Burton Park and on to Sutton Common. The heather there was a bit of a disappointment I have to say: plenty of it, but nowhere near as vivid in colour as (say) last week in the Peak District, it's just been too dry a spring for it to be impressive down here. Still a nice bit of the route though...

On through the Rother Valley and across Fittleworth Common and through woods to Stopham and its newly re-opened White Hart pub by the bridge. Most stopped there for a drink or two.

Everyone seemed to like the route, especially on account of it being very varied and always quiet and pretty. My subgroup caught the 18.24 train.

As the lone short-cutter I think I should share my experiences. I enjoyed the company of my fellow walkers until we parted ways at Bignor Hill. A lovely day: bright sunshine, low humidity and a cool breeze. Plenty of interesting flora and fauna: I spotted a Greenfinch, a pair of Small Blue (or possibly Common Blue) and Brimstone butterfly's, and several spectacular patches of Bluebells.

Lunch at the re-opened White Horse Inn was delicious if expensive at just over £20 for two pints of soda & lime plus a modest asparagus quiche and a side of new potatoes. I enquired and was told that parties of two or more need to book and parties of six or more need to pre-order food.

Hoped to meet my fellow walkers at the end of the walk but alas not. I enjoyed a couple of bottled beers in the Chequers Hotel and some friendly conversation with the owner who was keen to confirm that he was happy to cater for groups of walkers wanting hot drinks or light meals.

Caught the 17:04 train back to London. A fine day out. Thanks to Thomas for posting.

The blue butterfly was a holly blue. It is too early for common blues and a small blue (June) is brown.

@tony Thanks for the heads up about the checkers hotel - i've been to all the pubs round here too many time, nice to know of a new one. The other's were probably at the Stopham Bridge pub, it has a very pretty riverside setting. Just a bit far from the station.

Well, Mr. Andrew, the Webmaster...the Chequers Hotel is actually mentioned in the walk directions as a bona fide tea option (if a little off route). So much to learn, if you ever came on group walks...

Indeed, as Tony says, it was another day (3 in a row now) with perfect walking weather: sunny and warm but not hot, with low humidity and some breeze to keep cool. And all kinds of flora blooming or yellowing/greening up, including those sought after spring flowers, the dandies, anemones, celandines and bluebells. Then there were butterflies and birds, but I hardly know one from the other...

We stayed together to the highest point on Bignor Hill, where 1 turned right for the short walk (the old version of the walk). Barlavington Hanger provided pleasant amounts of bluebells in full attire, and a rather large patch of flowering wild garlic. From then on there seemed to be bluebells everywhere, though: on verges, in gardens, in wooded strips and in all the woods coming. I had posted this as having 'Some Bluebell Woods' but was hardly expecting this many.

The picnickers stopped at the very picturesque Duncton Mill for their break, as the lunch pub is on a busy road. And when the three lunchers got to the pub (13.40) we got told the dreaded "We are currently very busy and a pre-booked group of 20 has just arrived, so we are not taking any food orders just now. Please try again later." So we settled down with drinks and crisps/nuts at the one free table in the garden. Now, having frequented this pub many a times for walk recce and group walks, the weather had never been good enough to even look for a garden, never mind sit in it. But what a garden it is! Large and sloping and with well-spaced tables and all tables with their own wooden platform to stand on and views to the surrounding woods and a sombrilla each. Perfect! So we didn't mind at all. Eventually when the drinks neared empty state, we again enquired about food orders, and they were back on, so we got our orders in. And nice food it was. All in, 1 3/4 hours in the pub! Time well spent. The picnickers had moved on by now, of course.

Temperatures had dropped a bit, plenty more bluebells were on show, Burton Park and the little church and the ponds as magnificent as ever. The Warren was all bluebells. The notoriously muddy track leading to Sutton Common was dry and rock hard. At the Common we witnessed a training exercise for hunting dogs (a stop-watched retrieving trial through a pond and across the heath), as well as two blokes (it had to be blokes) practicing their drone racing techniques (and what an annoying sound tehy make; that's the drones...). More bluebells in Coates and Fittleworth Commons, then a small but stunning patch of the blue menace in Walter's Plantation, and Stopham Bridge and its pub were near. We could have raced it to catch the 18.04, but wisely chose the wooden terrace hanging over The Arun, some tea or water, and a wee thimble of the local wine (Stopham Pinot Gris, highly recommended). Then, completely unexpectedly, two of the picnickers turned up, as we had unknowingly overtaken them while they were on one of several involuntary detours. They tried to blame the walk directions, but hey...

19.04 train for 5, 18.04 for 1, 17.04 for the short walker. All had a great time.

7 sunny and pleasantly warm

Thinking of going but, owing to time constraints, would only do the shorter version. I'll bring a sandwich. Anyone else?

What a difference a day makes...under beautiful clear autumnal skies 13 assembled at one end of the platform (including one newbie who thought she was joining a massive meet-up group who had assembled in the car park) for the normal SWC formalities and then set off to come across 3 others who had not noticed our assembly, making for a group of 16. The initial route onto the downs was glorious with views far and wide, most stopped at Toby's Stone for a good gander before continuing onward. At the decision point, 10 (comprised of a group of 8 and 2) opted for the longer main route and 6 the shorter route. The main route stays high on the downs along an inland spur through varied terrain with great views. 4 had lunch on the hills and 6 dined al fresco in the lovely garden of the Cricketers where 2 of the picnickers met us. In contrast to the morning, the afternoon crosses through valleys, heathlands, woods and commons. 2 picnickers had overtaken the pub-goers as we saw them ahead of us on the heath -- but never did bump into them....The main group arrived at the White Hart at Stopham Bridge about 18:15 and 5 of these decided that the only way to finish such a fine day out was to enjoy a relaxed bevie (and forgo the 19:04 train) -- interestingly, the pub serves white wine produced at a vineyard passed along the route (less than a mile from the pub)...it was actually sufficiently palatable that one had a second (small) glass...before we set of for the final stretch in the dark...which was fine....a very straight forward route (even in the dark after a drink or two)...to catch the 20:04.

At least two who took the shorter route and confined refreshments to sandwiches made the 1604 train.

. . . whereas two other shortcutters had two rounds of refreshment at the excellent White Hart and just got to the station in time for the 1704, which was late of course.

Intend going.

hope to attend provided the saturday walk does not tire me out too much. weather suppose to be better on sunday.

Monica

17 walkers (incl. 2 first-timers) and a dog on the platform on a dry and overcast day with far views . The saturated meadows of the Arun valley were quickly crossed and the first of two steep ascents up the Downs commenced. Fine views opened up as far as to the Isle of Wight, as the recent rain had cleared the air very well. 3 (incl. teh first-timers) opted for the short walk while all else stuck more or less together on the new routing along Glatting Beacon, Farm Hill and Barlavington Down to Duncton, via its very scenic mill. The Cricketers Inn had ample space in a hitherto undiscovered extra room and eventually the picknickers streamed in to join the lunchers for tea and cakes.

There we had met 2 other walkers who had driven down, and then walked a Duncton Circular (via Sutton). Therefore: 19.

The afternoon - through lower-lying ground - had a little more mud on offer, but it was quite bearable in light of the recent weather. Burton Park with its ponds, and Sutton and Fittleworth Commons added some more variety to the walk and the timing at the end worked in such a way that the main group did not stop at The White Hart, as we were on course to neatly reach Pulborough for the next hourly departure, the 17.26.

On the platform we met the shortcutters, who reported that The White Horse in Sutton has a sign outside saying it will re-open in late spring.

Hello all. Had a great walk Amberley-Pulborough, I thought it all went swimmingly........

I am a dog owner/walker (Flo or Mister) and alternately bring one or other of my dogs. I did read the recent comments re dogs,but made no comment.Thomas led this walk and reiterated the policy and desire of the group and we are on exactly the same page on this,(you are a dog friendly group but not a bad dog owner group) and I have now noted the comment by Marcus and will take note. The anonymous comment,I don't know what to say except to say if I am on one of your walks tap me on the shoulder and tell me to keep a wide berth I will not be offended, I'll just weep quietly into my fleece sleeve ha ha....I do interact with the group but also sometimes, as do others, have quiet time. I do try and please most of the people most of the time.

After I've pressed 'post' I'm sure I'll probably think "Oh wish I'd worded that better"

Sorry it's such a wordy comment but please don't be shy or to angry. Just form an orderly queue and say it like it is....Big love to all

Carol

I really enjoyed the South Downs walk on Easter Sunday and I’m just wondering if I could make a case for some longer, challenging walks? As well as walking with SWC, I’ve started walking with Blackheath Ramblers. Last Saturday they had an 18 mile walk, and over the next five Saturdays they have 15, 21, 26, 19 and 17 mile walks. From a quick glance at the upcoming SWC walks this Saturday, they are 13, 10 and 12 miles long. Last weekend the longest SWC was 15.9 miles long. I’m thinking there must be some demand for a few longer walks, especially now that the daylight hours are getting progressivelylonger? Hoping to start some informed debate on this? Thanks Monique

hi, I have not been on a wed walk before and just checking whether people actually turn up for these? do not want to walk alone! ellie

Hi Ellie

You can normally get a decent idea of attendances from the Walk Reports, but there have been three wet Wednesdays in a row which I think has dampened down enthusiasm recently. However, the couple of Wednesday walks I've been on were quite well attended. I may go tomorrow but I'm on SW Trains so it depends if they're not too disrupted.

13 today in fair weather. The chalky tracks were quite slippery and there was some mud in the woods, else all perfect today. Lunch at The White Horse was average to good. Tea at The White Hart superb, out on their terrace. 16.55 train for most. 2 apparently took a wrong turning in Stopham and ended up reverse-walking the start to SWC 128 (but how??? I'm intrigued...). 19.35 train for them.

On the third day I made a detour westward to avoid the country of the Band-lu, as I did not care to be detained by a meeting with To-jo. AND that is the second time this week I have walked SWC 128.

Needless to say Ellie pulled a no show. For any other newcomers the Wednesday walks have been posted for more than 10 years now and only bad weather reduces the numbers to 2-4 in my experience. The additional Tuesday and Thursday walks are to spread the numbers which have reached 21 on Wednesdays especially during the summer with extra day light for the benefit of the wine and supper longer walk fans. Marcus usually posts shorter walks for those needing to return to London at a regular time.

This regular walker can confirm that the unexpected extension of this walk to 15 miles after a lovely loose leaf tea stop in the beer garden of the Swan Pub came as quite a shock when we realised we had taken a wrong turn at Stopham church and missed the bus-stop for the station. Instead of re-tracing our steps we added another 5 miles and an hour and a half to finish on walk 128 backwards. Perhaps Thomas would like to add this to the walk check notes as a possible and very pretty extension for the longer walk fans!

I may come on the appointed train and do further research on a new walk I have three quarters written from Amberley jfk

Specified train cancelled

I am at Victoria. Anyone planning to take the next train?

I'm going to do cowden to hever instead

Andrew and I taking 1017 to East Grinsted

Will try and join east grinstead. Which walk are you doing

Mind if I join East Grinstead too?

Following cancellation of the advertised train to Amberley and faced with an hour before the next train, atr a bit of online discussion, 4 diverted to East Grinstead. We did the eastern loop, across to Forest Row for lunch at The Swan where the walks inspector was content with the quantity and quality the Sunday roast. Then on to East Grinstead with two stopping at The Dorset Arms and two taking the longer river route to the station.

warm and sunny by the way. A suggestion was made to have an SWC nominated meeting point at mainline stations, in case of train cancellations.

Sorry to hear the London contingent couldn't make it to Amberley this morning. It's a good summer walk, but the instructions do need some amending. Knoll Bungalow is now Knoll House, Tripp Hill Farm is now a warehouse for a sofa supplier and the suggested end of the walk was so so overgrown, I had to walk along the A283 for the last couple of miles to Pulborough train station.

Well done to the East Grinstead 4. I did have my fingers crossed when posting this South Downs excursion but with Southern you cannot predict which trains will be cancelled and those which will run. Its just pot luck!

The Amberley cancellation was due to a signalling malfunction, not staffing issues.

Look out for cyclists hurtling downhill on the South Downs Way in the first part of this walk, which is an otherwise an excellent and scenic climb with fine views

anyone doing this ? hope to go if weather ok

Considering doing this, as long as the weather is ok

4 warm-and-sunny. Surprisingly low turnout for this outing which feels like two separate walks: typical South Downs chalk track ascents in the morning and then sandy soils through woodland after lunch. Only one person had lunch at the virtually empty White Horse and their chicken piri piri and chips does not inspire confidence that they will be pulling in more customers based on their menu. After lunch a bit of tricky navigation through woodland saw us reach the lovely White Hart at 4pm where although we were tempted to have tea the lure óf the 4.26 train proved too strong so we route marched the remaining distance to the station which we reached with 3 mins to spare . I'd allow 40 mins for a more relaxed walk. A fine day out with the Downs looking superb in the early autumn light.

jfk did her own walk Walk 22 on this date . it was as beautiful as ever except for the fact that the Angmering Estate Management had seen fit to turn the very beautiful wildflower downhill path into a gallops for horses .

A meal was later taken at the excellent Bridge Inn at Amberley.