Saturday Walk - Arun & Rother valleys, bluebell woods, heathery commons, old churches and a landscaped deer park: Pulborough Circular via Petworth

Length: 23.8 km (14.8 mi) 

Ascent/Descent: 390m

Net Walking Time: ca. 5 ½ hours 

Toughness: 6 out of 10

 

Take the 09.06 Bognor Regis & Portsmouth Harbour train from London Bridge (09.22 EC), arriving Pulborough at 10.23 [the train splits at Horsham]  

Return: xx.26 and xx.56.

 

Across the Arun valley and Greensand Hills to an attractive town with one of the National Trust's finest properties, Petworth House. Back to Pulborough on a more southerly route between the A283 and the Rother valley, with views of the South Downs along the way. This is a mixed landscape of farmland and wooded commons, with Hesworth Common being particularly attractive. The route passes two fine old churches at Fittleworth and Stopham, and crosses back over the River Arun on the medieval Stopham Bridge.

Walk Options:

Add a loop through Petworth Park – up to 30.5 km (19.0 mi) with 525m ascent/descent. 

Finish the walk in Petworth (Bus Line 1, at 13.44, 14.44, 15.49, 16.54, 18.04, 19.14 and 19.44 back to Pulborough Station) – from 12.2 km (7.6 mi) with 245m ascent/descent. 

Add a loop through Petworth Park to that – up to 18.9 km (11.7 mi) with 380m ascent/descent.

 

Lunch: Angel Inn (food to 15.00) or The Star (food all day) in Petworth, reached after 12 km. 

Tea: Plenty options if finishing the walk in Petworth and else The White Hart in Stopham (2.3 km from the end). 

 

For summary, walk directions, map, height profile, photos and gpx/kml files click here.t=swc.128.a