Pulborough to Amberley Walk

Main walk: 16.6km (10.3 miles)

With longer river ending: 19.5km (12.1 miles)

5 out of 10

Landranger map 197, Explorer map OL10 (formerly 121)

This walk passes through the quaint historic centre of Pulborough, tucked away on the edge of the modern village, and then climbs into a delightful area of gentle hills, which afford magnificent views of the downs to the south and the plains to the north. After lunch in Nutbourne or Marehill, the route takes you along the edge of Pulborough Brooks, an unspoilt marshland area which is now an RSPB nature reserve, and whose visitor centre provides a possible tea stop. There is then a three kilometre section on a quiet road that at first passes through woodland, and then the hamlet of Rackham. By now the South Downs loom magnificently ahead, and you climb up onto them by a steep path for a grand ridge finish with magnificent views of the Arun valley.

An optional longer river ending to this walk takes down to the Amberley Village Tea Room, a possible tea stop, and through the picturesque heart of the village and out across watermeadows (which can be waterlogged in winter, or after heavy rain) to the banks of the River Arun. A scenic walk along the river then brings you to Amberley station. This adds 2.9km (1.8 miles) to the walk, making the whole walk 19.5km (12.1 miles).

There is a sister walk to this one on this website – Billingshurst to Amberley - which shares the same lunch stop and a small centre section, and has the same finish over the downs to Amberley. It is thus possible to do the morning of one and the afternoon of the other. The morning of the Billingshurst to Amberley walk is 9.3km (5.8 miles) versus 5.4km (3.4 miles) for this walk, and its afternoon is 13.5km (8.4 miles) versus 11.2km (6.9 miles) for this walk, taking in 2km more of the South Downs ridge than this walk.

You could also switch at the RSPB Pulborough Brooks Reserve Visitor Centre (paragraph 67 of this walk) to the Pulborough Circular walk on this website. Sections M and N of that walk describe a 4km (2.5 mile) walk back to Pulborough across the marshland of the Wild Brooks, making a total circular walk of 13.3km (8.3 miles).

Pulborough and Amberley are both on the Horsham-Littlehampton line, served by trains out of Victora. Catch the nearest train to 10.10am from Victoria. Buy a day return to Amberley. Note that the last train back from Amberley is at around 9.20pm, though after this there are options via Arundel.

Rising Sun, Nutbourne (01798 812191), 5.5km (3.4 miles) into the walk, is the recommended lunchtime pub. It serves food daily from 12pm to 2pm Monday to Thursday, to 2.30pm Saturday, and to 4pm Sunday, and has an interesting menu with generally good portion sizes. It has both a cosy interior and a charming garden.

The White Horse, Marehill, (01798 872189), is a possible alternative lunch stop 1.4km (0.9 miles) beyond the Rising Sun. It is open and serves food to 12pm to 2.30pm Monday to Friday, to 3pm Saturday, and to 4pm Sundays. The inside dining room has a fine view of the South Downs and the pub also has a patio area and a pleasant garden.

RSPB Visitors Centre, Pulborough Brooks, 9.3km (5.8 miles) into the walk, has a self-service tea room, with both inside seating and outside tables with a fine view over the flatlands of the Wild Brooks. It is open 10am to 4pm daily and also does light lunches from 12pm to 2.30pm. This is a possible late lunch or early tea stop

The two tea rooms at the end of the walk unfortunately close rather early. The Riverside Tea Rooms at Houghton Bridge (near Amberley Station) close at 4.30pm daily, while the charming Amberley Village Tea Room (on the longer river ending, but also accessible from the main walk route with a small diversion) now close at 4pm Thursday to Tuesday (ie closed Wednesday)

Fortunately there is a very friendly and atmospheric pub by Amberley Station, the Bridge Inn (01798 831 619). It serves tea and coffee until at least 10.30pm, and meals from 6pm, and has a very pleasant garden.

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

Jun-24 Peter