Arundel to Midhurst via Midhurst Way walk

The route leads through Arundel’s picturesque centre into a series of woods and heathlands to the highest point of the walk in Houghton Forest before crossing the South Downs Way near Westburton Hill. Surrounded by wooded downs you continue through the sleepy villages of West Burton and Bignor to lunch in Sutton and on to Barlavington, from where you descend into the Rother Valley through Burton Park with its pretty church and imposing mansion.
The afternoon takes you through a mix of flat farmland, some wooded hills and the Lod Valley, en route passing Upperton and Nyetimber vineyards, to the Cowdray Estate, with its golf course-with-views as well as several polo fields, and to the romantic ruins of Cowdray House, as captured by JMW Turner.
Climbing from the River Rother’s banks, Midhurst's Norman castle ruins are passed on the way to the old market town's attractive centre with its many tea options.

This walk is the southerly section of the unmarked Midhurst Way, which has been created by John Trueman, local to the area and a passionate advocate of outdoor pursuits. It runs between Arundel and Haslemere. The northerly section Midhurst to Haslemere is available as a separate SWC Walk.
Both sections have been written up in either direction (in separate pdf’s) to enable a through-walk of the whole 47.4 km/29.5 mi Midhurst Way with an overnight stay along the route in Sutton, Coultershaw Bridge, Tillington, Halfway Bridge (a little off route) or Midhurst.

Bus 99 Chichester - Petworth (6 buses per day, Mon-Sat) runs through Sutton, the lunch destination, and along the A285, enabling a finish at Duncton Heath End. This is a semi-flexible service, pre-booking is required: online via the Ride Pingo App or by calling 01243 858 854, 06.30-19.30 Mon-Sat! In Petworth you must connect to below Bus 1.
Bus 1 Midhurst – Petworth – Worthing (via Pulborough Station) travels along the A272 between Midhurst and Tillington, enabling a shorter walk. From Midhurst the bus runs: about hourly Mon-Sat, last at 19.00, and every two hours on Sundays to 18.30 (stops Tillington 8 minutes later, Petworth 15 mins later).

OS Explorer: OL3 (Arundel & Pulborough) and OL33 (Haslemere & Petersfield)
OS Landranger: 186 (Aldershot & Guildford) and 197 (Chichester & the South Downs)

Arundel Station, map reference TQ 024 264, is 79 km south west of Charing Cross and 4m above sea level. Midhurst, map reference SU 887 218, is 11 km south of Haslemere and 25m above sea level. Both are in West Sussex. Arundel station is on the Victoria to Southampton West Coastway Line. Journey times are from 84 minutes Mon-Sat (two trains an hour), and from 85 minutes on Sunday (hourly). Buses from Midhurst connect to Haslemere, Petersfield, Pulborough and Chichester. Bus 1 to Pulborough (on the same line as Arundel) runs hourly Mon-Sat and every two hours on Sundays.

Saturday Walkers’ Club: Take a train no later than 9.00 hours.

The White Horse Inn The Street, Sutton, West Sussex RH20 1PS (01798 869 221). The White Horse is located 13.8 km (8.6 mi) into the walk.
The Badgers Station Road, Coultershaw Bridge, Petworth, West Sussex GU28 0JF (01798 342 651). The Badgers is located 18.8 km (11.7 mi) into the walk, 350m off route.
The Old Railway Station Waiting Room Coultershaw Bridge, Petworth, West Sussex GU28 0JF (01798 342 346). The ORS is located 18.9 km/11.8 mi into the walk, 200m off route
The Horse Guards Inn Upperton Road, Tillington, West Sussex GU28 9AF (01798 342 332). The Horse Guards is located 22.0 km (13.7 mi) into the walk.

After the walk, please leave a comment, it really helps. Thanks!

You can also upload photos to the SWC Group on Flickr (upload your photos) and videos to Youtube. This walk's tags are:

National Rail: 03457 48 49 50 • Traveline (bus times): 0871 200 22 33 (12p/min) • TFL (London) : 0343 222 1234

Oct-23 John Trueman Thomas G