Walk 11 : Amberley Circular

17.4km (10.6 miles)

OS Landranger 197, Explorer 121

6 out of 10

Wild Brook Option - This option detours through the wetlands.

This walk has the same finish along the crest of the South Downs as the Billingshurst to Amberley or Pullborough to Amberley walks, but it takes in a slightly longer section of the ridge than those other two walks (6.4 km or 4 miles). It also has a more varied and interesting climb up on the Downs, and due to its shorter afternoon is suitable for winter as well as summer.

The morning is flat, first passing through the river meadows of the Arun to the picturesque village of Amberley (reversing the fine riverside ending of the Arundel to Amberley walk in Time Out Country Walks book one), and then following a route along the foot of the Downs, with fine views up onto the ridge one way, and down onto the marshland of Amberley Wild Brooks the other. You get a brief taste of the Brooks, before passing through the park of a stately home, Parkham House, and having lunch at a pub in Storrington.

Apart from the steep climb up onto the Downs after lunch (which is what earns it a toughness rating of 6), gradients on this walk are very easy indeed. The short section crossing the meadows from the River Arun to Amberley village can be very wet in winter. It can be avoided by turning right out of the station and following the main road to the village. The road curves left and in 600 metres, you ignore a minor road uphill to the right. Ignore a signposted footpath to the left in 300 metres, but in 600 metres more, after the road makes a long curve right, take a footpath the left. This brings you into the village at a road T-junction: go straight across the main village street and on up another road: this curves right to bring you to the Black Horse pub, point [2] below.

Walk options If you are feeling full after a generous early lunch in Amberley village, you can shorten the walk to a mere consitutional of 6.7km (4.3m) by switching at point [3] to the Pulborough to Amberley walk: this route still includes a stiff climb up the South Downs ridge, however. Another variant is to follow the Billingshurst to Amberley walk from the lunchtime pub. This trims a mere 3.2km (2 miles) off the walk, however, and if you have the energy and time, the route here is more interesting.

Amberley is on the Horsham-Littlehampton line, served by trains out of Victora. Note that Amberley has a short platform, and you can't alight from the rear one or two carriages of an eight car train.

From September to March, catch the nearest train to 9.10am from Victoria. This will get you to the Crown Inn in Storington in time for lunch. In summer, you could take a train an hour or even two hours later and have lunch at one of the earlier lunch options, reserving the Crown Inn for tea.

The Black Horse (01798 831552 or 831700) in Amberley village is a very picturesque pub in the heart of the village, with a charming little garden. It is only 3.2km (2 miles) into the walk, however, and so is perhaps too early for a lunchstop unless you have caught a later train. It has a traditional menu serves lunch from 12pm to 3pm Monday to Saturday, and all afternoon on Sundays.

The Sportsman (01798 831787), Cross Gate, is a modern pub, 1km beyond the Black Horse, and thus 4.2km (2.6 miles) into the walk. Though it lacks architectural charm, its dining area has a lovely view of Amberley Brooks, and it has a interesting menu. It serves food to 2pm Monday to Friday and to 2.30 pm Saturday and Sunday

The Crown Inn (01903 742625) Storrington, 8.2km (5.5 miles) into the walk is the recommended lunchtime pub (or a possible tea stop if you had lunch earlier). It serves food from 12pm to 2.30pm Monday to Saturday, and 12pm to 3.30pm on Sundays. For drinks, the proprietor says he "usually stays open all afternoon".

Parham House (01803 744888), Parham Park, 7.3km (4.6 miles) into the walk, is open for light lunches 12pm to 2pm, and for cream teas in the afternoon on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Sundays and bank holiday Mondays between Easter and 30 September, and also on Tuesdays and Fridays in August, though whether it is possible to have refreshments without paying to visit the house has not yet been tested. This interesting Elizabethan house is also open on all these days from 2pm to 5pm: entrance fee is £6.80 for the house and gardens, or £5.00 for just the gardens.

Houghton Bridge Tea Garden (01798 831 558) by Amberley station provides a charming riverside location for tea if you can get there before it shuts (5pm Monday to Saturday, 5.30pm Sunday). Otherwise, the friendly and atmospheric Bridge Inn (01798 831 619) across the road serves tea and coffee until at least 10.30pm