Amberley, West Sussex

Starts at Amberley Village Centre TQ030133

3 hours 0 minutes | 6.8miles 10.9km | Leisurely

ID: 220.9 | Developed by: Andrew McCloy | Checked by: Robin Segulem | www.walkmag.co.uk

A circular walk across the South Downs, above the Arun Valley from Amberley, West Sussex. A great route to experience walking at night, but also very enjoyable during the day!

Main Route Alternative Route Point of Interest Waypoint

A selection of Routemaster Walking Guides as featured in Walk: the Magazine of the Ramblers. Starts at Amberley Village Centre TQ030133

Ends at Amberley Village Centre TQ030133

Getting there Amberley Station, a mile south of the village, is on the Arun Valley line with frequent, daily trains from London Victoria and Chichester (www. southernrailway.com) and a limited local bus service (www.compass-travel.co.uk)

Route instructions If you’re keen to experience a night-time ramble for the first time, then try this straightforward route – although it’s a delightful walk in the daylight as well! Amberley is one of the most attractive villages in Sussex, with thatched cottages and a 12th-century church. A short lane takes you up and on to the South Downs Way, and from here the public bridleways should present no serious navigational problems, even by moonlight. After a loop through the undulating downs to the south, the return to Amberley is via the South Downs Way across Rackham Hill, with superb views over the Sussex countryside.

[1] Take School Road southwards out of Amberley (TQ030133), carefully cross the B2139, and follow the narrow Mill Lane opposite as it climbs uphill. Where it swings right after a junction leave it and go straight on, past the entrance to a house called Highdown, and pick up the South Downs Way (TQ034126) along the clear bank on the left.

If you turn left at the road junction you will drop down to the B2139 once more, where you can reach the open-air industrial heritage centre of Amberley Working Museum and also the railway station.

[2] Follow the well-walked National Trail as it climbs the open slope, ignoring tracks off.

(A) As you make your way up past Rackham Banks (TQ047126), which are early Iron Age cross dykes or boundary markers, the lights of mid Sussex and the Weald will be twinkling away to the left – the view extends to 48km/30 miles in clear conditions.

[3] As you approach the top of the hill you come to a junction of tracks. Turn right and walk along the edge of some woodland. Another bridleway comes in on the right, then you soon reach a complicated intersection of routes. At first go right, towards Burpham, then almost immediately left for a long, straight bridleway that gradually descends towards Wepham Down.

[4] After a kilometre or so turn off left, then left again to head back northwards. Ignoring a right fork, go straight on along a clear, rising track that skirts the edge of a narrow strip of woodland. Just beyond this the track emerges at a major route junction on Kithurst Hill (TQ071125), where you rejoin the South Downs Way near a car park.

[5] Turn left, heading westwards along the National Trail across the crest of the downs and making for Rackham Hill (TQ054126).

(B) At 193m/633ft, Rackham Hill is one of the best viewpoints on the South Downs, overlooking the stately grounds of Parham House and also Amberley Wild Brooks – a large area of floodplain centred on the River Arun. Winter flooding provides a valuable habitat for wildfowl, and the RSPB and Sussex Wildlife Trust both manage reserves that are open to the public. To conclude the walk simply follow the South Downs Way due west from the hilltop, rejoining the outward route and dropping back down into Amberley via the lane.

Notes Terrain: Undulating but mainly straightforward, open downland tracks

Maps: OS Explorer 121; Landranger 197

Eating & drinking: Choice of hostelries in Amberley

Sleeping: As above

Visitor information: Arundel Tourist Information (01903 882268, www.visitsouthdowns.com)

Local Ramblers Areas & Groups: Arun-Adur Ramblers (www.arun-adur-ramblers.org.uk)

Acknowledgements Developed by: Andrew McCloy Checked by: Robin Segulem Edited by: Robin Segulem Walk originally appeared in Walk magazine Autumn 2009 (issue No. 24) Thatched Cottage, Amberley Photo taken by: Adam Swaine - As submitted to walkmag photography masterclass