16.6km (10.3 miles) A longer 12.1 mile walk is possible. Toughness 5 out of 10
Out from historic Pulborough onto gentle hills, with views of the downs. Lunch is in Nutbourne or Marehill (lets say Nutbourne). Then the route goes along the edge of the RSPB’s Pulborough Brooks, its visitor centre providing further opportunity for lunch / tea. After a stretch along a quiet road, the South Downs loom and a steep climb leads to a ridge walk to Amberley with views of the Arun valley. (This climb can be avoided with a spot of road walking). A longer finish along the River Arun is also possible, this being the 12.1 mile version
Transport
9:35 from Victoria (Clapham Jct 9:42) arriving Pulborough 10:52.
Return from Amberley xx:58. Buy a day return to Amberley.
Lunch
The Rising Sun, Nutbourne (01798 812191), 3.4 miles into the walk, is the recommended lunch pub.
The White Horse, Marehill, (01798 872189), is a possible alternative 0.9 miles further.
The Visitors Centre, Pulborough Brooks, 5.8 miles into the walk, has a self-service tea room, and a fine view over the Wild Brooks. It is open 10am to 4.00pm daily and also does light lunches from 12pm to 2.30pm. This is a possible late lunch or early tea stop.
Tea
The Riverside Tea Rooms (07765 790 414) by Amberley station provide a charming riverside location for tea if you can get there before they close at 4.30 .
Details of how to reach The Amberley Village Tea Room (01798 839196) are given towards the end of the directions. However, it closes at 4.
That leaves the Bridge Inn (01798 831 619), also near Amberley station, which is only open till 5 on Sundays. So best not to miss the 16:58.
Anyone wanting a more substantial 'sit-down' could consider taking the “non climb” road ending, or, later, following the directions for the Village Tea rooms and continuing down the High Street (not Church Street). Both options would take you to the Black Horse, open till 10. (Not that you'd want to stay that long, not with the last direct train being at 20:58). t=swc.9
Directions here
2 comments:
Surprisingly only n=8 on a w=bright-sunny day perfect for walking. were slightly slower than the rest and soon lost sight of them. One of them stopped at the pub in Nutbourne, the other carried on to reach Wigginholt church just as five picnickers were leaving, the sixth having gone ahead to the RSPB centre to get some lunch there.
The morning stretch of this walk is very scenic with views of the downs all around,, fields, ferny heathland and wetlands leading to the Rspb centre.. After that, a sandy path leading down to a road and a long stretch on tarmac before reaching the downs. A short steep ascent and a pleasant stroll along the top before descending to Amberley where 1 had a very high calorie cake and tea at the Bridge cafe and another visited the pub before catching the 15.58. 5 had caught the 15.58-. I hope the pub luncher got back ok
I can report that the pub luncher completed the walk, despite sore knees! Great walk, very scenic and lots of variety. I also had a high calorie tiffen slice at RSPB cafe!
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