An Amberley downland ramble

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Our view

"Recreate the past with a visit to a working museum before climbing high on to the Downs."

Walk directions

Turn left out of the car park and pass underneath the railway bridge. Begin to cross the road bridge spanning the Arun, bearing left at the footpath sign to reach a stile by a galvanised gate. After crossing a bridge and another stile, bear right on a riverside bank to the next stile. A few paces beyond this, reach a sluice. Bear left here.

Follow the path between trees, turn right on reaching a lane and pass Sloe Cottage. Turn left just beyond a caravan site to join a bridleway. Follow the path as it runs above the camping ground and emerge on a track by a bridleway sign. Cross the track here and join a rough lane, turning left.

Stay on the lane as it climbs gradually; the Arun can be seen below. Pass farm outbuildings and keep ahead, the lane dwindling to a track along this stretch. Veer left at the fork and follow the waymarked public right of way. Head for a signposted crossroads and turn left on a bridleway with a fence on your right.

Walk down the flint track, pass through a gate and continue the steep descent. Look for two gates down below, set some distance apart. Cross to the right-hand gate; a bridleway sign should be nearby. Follow the bridleway as it bends left, climbing steeply towards Downs Farm. Keep a fence on the left and follow the bridleway, eventually merging with a wide track.

Keep left at the next junction and follow the South Downs Way towards the entrance to Downs Farm. Fork right at a junction, continuing on the South Downs Way, and join a narrow footpath which begins a steep descent. Drop down the slope until you reach a tarmac lane, then turn right. On the righthand side is a prominent house called Highdown.

Veer right at the fork and walk down to the B2139. Cross over the road into Amberley village and keep ahead at the junction in the village centre. Turn left when you reach a large cottage called The White House and continue to the next road junction with a footpath opposite. Turn right, passing St Michael’s Church and Amberley Castle. Carry straight on. Over to the right are glimpses of Amberley Wild Brooks. Where the road ends beneath the castle wall, keep straight ahead on a path between fences.

Cross two stiles, either side of the railway, and look for the spire of Bury church ahead. Follow the path to the next stile and cut across the field half left towards a footpath sign and a stile. In the second field make for a stile and bridge ahead, cross the third field in the direction signposted to the riverbank, and turn left. Follow the reed-fringed Arun. Avoid the distinctive metal footbridge and keep ahead with the river on the right to return to Houghton Bridge. Bear left for the car park.

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Location

Nearest postcode:

Additional information

Terrain - Riverside paths, downland tracks and some roads, several stiles

Landscape - Arun Valley and downland

Dog friendliness - Keep on lead heading up Camp Hill to safeguard ground-nesting birds; off lead on other stretches of downland and riverside

Parking - Free parking for railway users at Amberley Station, or adjoining car park for visitors to the museum

Toilets en route - None on route

Walks in West Sussex Dog-friendly walks in West Sussex

About the walk

This invigorating downland walk begins where reality meets nostalgia. Visiting an old chalk quarry at the start of the route, you have the chance to forget the modern world, step into the past and recall a way of life that has long vanished. Amberley is a charming, tranquil village with a...

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Walking in Safety

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Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more

About the area

Divided from East Sussex back in 1888, West Sussex has a variety of landscapes and coastal scenery, but it is the spacious and open South Downs with which the county is most closely associated. There are plenty of walking routes in the South Downs National Park, cycling routes by the sea or visitors can explore the pretty town of Arundel with its historic castle and buildings.