South Downs

Arun Valley walk




View towards sea from South Downs crest

Distance: 11.7km/7¼miles

Time: 3 ½ hrs

Grade: Moderate

‘This route combines extensive walking on the South Downs with hugging the curves of the River Arun, and cuts through woodland across the floodplain. It also touches four ancient settlements. Start in the village of Amberley  with its old bridge over the Arun. Hit the South Downs Way out of Amberley to the east, reaching the top of the downs with magnificent views over the Sussex Weald including Parham House in the near distance, an Elizabethan Manor at the foot of the downs. The route then swings round to the southwest and descends gradually in an almost straight line towards the sea, with rolling countryside covered in splashes of red in summer from the abundant poppies bursting out of fallow ground. Great views across the Arun valley from Burpham towards  Arundel  Castle, the second biggest castle in England, and Arundel Park astride the downs. Burpham is a welcome break before tracing the river and passing the tiny hamlets of South Stoke and North Stoke with their own churches mentioned  in the Domesday Book.’

Planning

Route

Start/parking  At Amberley park down lane by Bridge Inn grid reference 026118



The Bridge Inn

Walk difficulty Paths by river and across floodplain, one steep climb to top of downs followed by long gentle descent. Overall circular route.

Stiles 10

Nearest town Arundel

Refreshments Tea rooms and pub at Amberley,  pub at Burpham



Amberley Tea Rooms (closed!)

Public toilets Tea rooms, Arundel

Public transport Trains Amberley to Arundel and Horsham, limited bus service

Maps Ordnance Survey Explorer  121 Landranger 197

1 Start

From  Amberley take Storrington road, keeping left and then using raised path alongside road.



Amberley Bridge

2 2.4km/1½ miles

After short distance turn right up High Titten lane which traces South Downs Way at this half way point (signpost  Winchester 51m Eastbourne 50m). Follow lane uphill, and just past Highdown , house on  left, South Downs Way climbs up left off  lane. Follow path up onto Downs  and when virtually at top pass through gate into Springhead Estate. Head along crest of downs towards small crown of woodland.



View from South Downs Way




View north to Sussex Weald

3  4.5km/2¾ miles

Bear right off SDW along left hand edge of woodland to open downland. Follow path for short distance until you hit junction. Turn right and then follow track virtually straight ahead on slow descent into Arun Valley until Peppering High Barn. Here swing left onto tarmac road and follow on, bearing right when another  lane heads off to left until you reach Peppering Farm where lane branches left into Burpham for refreshments.




Poppies on South Downs

Burpham Church

4  4.5km/2¾miles



River Arun  and South Stoke

River Arun

Carry straight on down track past cottages on right and shortly you reach River Arun.  Head right over stile then follow raised path along right bank of river. Negotiate stiles at the railway crossing,   continue to follow river until you reach South Stoke on opposite bank. Here over stile a bridge takes you into hamlet but carry straight on for short distance until you bear right through  gate to walk through straggly woodland on raised path above ditch to right. Cross swampy undergrowth on new bridge built by gurkhas,  pass through gate and climb through field (beware frisky cows!). At top gate takes you past cottages to reach lane. Here turn left and immediately right, follow lane down and round to right then left. Pass cottages on right and then take path left through flood plain. Arrive at River Arun, turn right through two stiles and hug river bank until reaching bridge at Amberley. Here negotiate two stiles to arrive at main road into village to right.

North Stoke Church

Things to do on the way

Amberley Museum

Dedicated to industrial heritage. The museum is situated in an old chalk quarry, great for all the family with lots of old fashioned transport,  crafts and a narrow gauge train ride, open March to November.  Vintage buses take you back to the days of black and white films. There is a plethora of old or replica buildings illustrating the infrastructure of a bygone age, including a fire station, car garage and Hove railway ticket office. A notable addition to the collection is Fairmile café, an old real life 1930s roadside café which used to sit up a grassy bank on a beautiful stretch of road near Arundel!

There are numerous exhibitions on both modern technology such as electricity generation and telecommunications, and traditional crafts such as stained glass making and even a working pottery. There’s also an exhibition of old wireless technology with a room packed with radios and communications equipment to provide a feast for technology buffs.

The Limeburners  restaurant provides refreshment.



Entrance to Amberley Museum