Christs Hospital to Billingshurst via Knepp Castle walk

Long flat walk with an emphasis on fauna in a re-wilding area, and passing several historic buildings.

History

This is a list of previous times this walk has been done by the club (since Jan 2010). For more recent events (since April 2015), full details are shown.

Date Option Post # Weather
Sun, 06-Oct-24 A Safari in Sussex -- Christ Hospital to Billingshurst 5 cloudy with light showers in the evening
Sun, 02-Oct-22 A Safari in Sussex at the Knepp Castle Re-wilding Project 9 cloudy soon becoming mostly sunny
Sat, 13-Jul-19 Christs Hospital to Billingshurst via Knepp Castle Rewilding Project 6 sunny weather in AM overcast and muggy later
Sat, 13-Oct-18 A Safari in Sussex at the Knepp Castle Re-wilding Project 16 warm savannah skies
Sun, 27-Aug-17 Christs Hospital to Billingshurst [New Walk] 11 beautiful sunshine
Stargazer

SWC Walk 283: Christ’s Hospital to Billingshurst t=swc.283

Distance: 16.9 Miles or 27.1 km for those more metrically minded (with shorter bus options available)

Difficulty: 4.5 out of 10

Train: Take the 9:35 AM Portsmouth Harbour train from London Victoria (East Croydon at 9:57) , arriving at Christ’s Hospital at 10:41. Return trains from Billingshurst are at 14 past the hour. Buy a day return to Billingshurst.

This interesting walk explores a re-wilding project taking place a Knepp Castle, featuring Old English Longhorn Cattle, Tamworth Pigs, Fallow Deer and Exmoor Ponies (unfortunately, no native elephants or giraffes…) As an added bonus at this time of year, we may be lucky enough to see some deer rutting taking place…..Although long, the route is more or less flat, so probably not as challenging as you may think just looking at the numbers…..You can find more information about the walk and download the walk instructions here .

The recommended lunch spot is the Crown Inn (01403 710 902) in Dial Post (what a name!) (8.9 miles/14.3 km into the walk), food served until 2.45pm. Tea and other post walk refreshments can be had at the Railway Inn across from Billingshurst Station.

Enjoy the walk!

  • Mon, 07-Oct-24

    There were5 at the start joined by two later making7 in all. We saw three juvenile Tamworth pigs four or five dear some ponies lots of longhorn cattle with young and two storks feeding in a field. All 7 had lunch in Dial Post the pub was busy but well managed and food worth waiting for. Long man ale and a sussex smokie (haddock in a cheese sauce) were very good. It was getting rather late so four of us ended there. Three continued hoping to see the stock nests in the afternoon

  • Tue, 08-Oct-24

    After lunch three carried on the main route and were not disappointed...a fully adult Tamworth pig crossed the path just in front of us and seemed completely oblivious to our presence while it routed around in the leaves and tree debris at the side of the path. At the watering hole we saw several deer and heard some rather interesting noises from the nearby woods... We continued to see more and more deer around many corners, including one young stag with small antlers -- but no rutting activity. We arrived in Billingshurst just before 7pm with time for a quick stop in the Tescos for supplies for the slightly delayed 7:14pm. The weather was cloudy with light showers in the evening

Stargazer

SWC Walk 283: Christ’s Hospital to Billingshurst t=swc.283

Distance: 16.9 Miles or 27.1 km for those more metrically minded (with shorter bus options available)

Difficulty: 4.5 out of 10

Train: Take the 9:35 AM Portsmouth Harbour train from London Victoria (stopping at Clapham Junction at 9:42 and East Croydon at 9:53), arriving at Christ’s Hospital at 10:39. Return trains from Billingshurst are at 11 past the hour. Buy a day return to Billingshurst.

This interesting walk explores a re-wilding project taking place a Knepp Castle, featuring Old English Longhorn Cattle, Tamworth Pigs, Fallow Deer and Exmoor Ponies (unfortunately, no native elephants or giraffes…) As an added bonus at this time of year, we may be lucky enough to see some deer rutting taking place…..Although long, the route is more or less flat, so probably not as challenging as you may think just looking at the numbers…..You can find more information about the walk and download the walk instructions here.

The recommended lunch spot is the Crown Inn (01403 710 902) in Dial Post (what a name!) (8.9 miles/14.3 km into the walk), food served until 2.45pm. Tea and other post walk refreshments can be had at the Railway Inn across from Billingshurst Station.

Enjoy the walk!

  • Mon, 26-Sep-22

    Hi All

    Just checking who's interested in this walk?

    And would like to confirm start and approx end time if doing the full walk?

    Thinking of getting an advanced ticket with rail card

    Thank you

    Mishlin

  • Wed, 28-Sep-22

    Hi, I am planning to do the walk. The train to take is specified in the post, as is its arrival time at the start of the walk. Look forward to seeing you there!

  • Sun, 02-Oct-22

    Train abruptly canceled at Gatwick -- some are making there way to Horsham to discuss options.

  • Tue, 04-Oct-22

    After a complicated logistical start with the designated train calling it quits at Gatwick airport, a group of 3 eventually met at Horsham and opted to take a taxi the short distance to Christ's Hospital (actually a pub about 2 kms into the walk route) where we met a fourth walker who had driven. By the time we set off, the overnight rain at stopped and it was cloudy soon becoming mostly sunny . Not far along the route, we bumped into a fifth walker who had started from a delayed earlier train and near Knepp Castle we met with two others who had parked near the pub and walked the route in reverse until finding us and returned with us to the pub where 6 enjoyed a delicious and leisurely lunch...one sandwich eater set off before the three of us completing the walk set off ()while 3 opted to ended their walking after lunch. During our time in Knepp, we saw a good number of long-horn cattle which popped up in various parts of the estate and were a joy to see doing their thing....a few pigs were also spotted some before lunch and some after lunch.....We spent time at the peaceful lookout where we heard male fallow deer making their rutting noises -- but they did not appear in the clearing to see unfortunately.....We also stopped for a short break in the garden of the Quaker House passed along the way...and eventually arrived in Billingshurst just after 7pm with time to grab some supplies for the 7:11pm train back to London which ran very smoothly...I understand that 2 others were on the train that stopped at Gatwick in the morning and caught the next train to Christ Hospital from Gatwick, so presumably did the walk an hour later...we did not see them en route...but, hopefully, they had a good time....so I believe there were 9 in total doing some or all of the walk.

t=SWC.283

Length: 27km (17m)
Toughness: 5 / 10
Transport: Take the 8:36 London Victoria Train arriving Christs Hospital at 9:38. Return trains from Billingshurst at xx:02 and xx:31. If you want to shortcut the walk and still visit the Knepp Castle Rewilding Project use bus 23 between Horsham and Worthing. They leave hourly at xx:09 from Horsham station, get off at Partridge Green Turning stop and join the walk from there. Alternatively, walk in the morning and return to Horsham from the same bus stop. The bus passes this stop roughly on the hour.

From the description:
The aim of this walk is to visit the estate of Knepp Castle where a re-wilding project has been going for over 10 years. Good opportunity to see Old English Longhorn Cattle, Tamworth Pigs, Exmoor Ponies and Fallow and Roe Deer. The walk passes through this re-wilding area before and after the lunch stop.
Before lunch views of Shipley windmill and Knepp Castle are seen, although neither are open to the public. After lunch pass by a listed farmhouse and an old Quaker Meeting House. Those shortening the walk by using the bus will pass what remains of Old Knepp Castle.

  • Sandy
    Tue, 16-Jul-19

    Just 4 walkers got off the train at Christs Hospital, including one newcomer who, disappointed not to meet an expected meet-up group of 15 which hadn't materialised, not wishing to do the whole 27km and daunted by the prospect of finding the bus stop by themselves, turned back after a couple of km, leaving the other 3 to press on to the Knepp estate and encounter free ranging cattle and pigs, a lone foal and numerous butterfly hunters, but no deer or storks (too many humans about perhaps).* We stopped at at the very nice and spacious Crown Inn, where one of us had a delicious looking meal and the others a huge quantity of cashews and two excellent beers, before the long march to Billingshurst in sunny weather in AM overcast and muggy later . An excellent day out.

    * I hope you like this Proustesque 86-word sentence; I think it might be the longest I've ever written.

  • Anonymous
    Thu, 18-Jul-19

    Two came on a later train, unconsciencely avoiding the meet-up group which probably stayed happily in the wrong part of the the train ending up in Chichester or Southampton chatting away, and also enjoyed this walk tremendously through the rewilding project around Knepp Castle and surrounding estate. Met some very inquisitive horses who tried to eat our picnic lunches out of our rucksacks. Disappointed that they were gone, they then pressed the point about rewilding and being against single plastic use, by trampling on a plastic bottle (not mine luckily). Point taken by my otherwise climate conscious and working for a large nature conservancy charity. Charity begins...

    We too chatted way too much, had some nice breaks admiring & enjoying the glorious views and perfect sunny/cloudy walking weather. We thought about Billingshurst but seriously or for long. An unexpected little cafe cum pottery painting hut just before the busstop made an excellent last stop before nipping on a 5pm-ish (bang on time) bus to Horsham. Highly recommended.

  • Anonymous
    Thu, 18-Jul-19

    6

Stargazer
SWC Walk 283: Christ’s Hospital to Billingshurst T=SWC.283

Distance: 16.9 Miles or 27.1 km for those more metrically minded (with shorter bus options available)

Difficulty: 4.5 out of 10

Train: Take the 8:46 AM Portsmouth Harbour train from London Victoria (stopping at Clapham Junction at 8:53 and East Croydon at 9:03), arriving at Christ’s Hospital at 9:49. Return trains from Billingshurst are at 28 and 57 past the hour until 22:28. Buy a day return to Billingshurst.

This walk has only ever had one Sunday outing which was well received. It very interestingly spends about 6 kilometers exploring a 10-year old re-wilding project taking place a Knepp Castle , featuring Old English Longhorn Cattle, Tamworth Pigs, Fallow Deer and Exmoor Ponies (unfortunately, no native elephants or giraffes…) As an added bonus at this time of year, we may be lucky enough to see some deer rutting taking place…..Although long, the route is more or less flat, so probably not as challenging as you may think just looking at the numbers…..You can find more information about the walk and download the walk instructions here.

T he recommended lunch spot is the Crown Inn (01403 710 902) in Dial Post (what a name!) (8.9 miles/14.3 km into the walk), food served until 2:00pm. Tea and other post walk refreshments can be had at the Railway Inn across from Billingshurst Station.

Enjoy the walk!

  • Tue, 09-Oct-18

    I want to see the Knepp Wildlands but not walk 16 miles. There is an option for a 10.5 mile walk with a bus to Horsham and an earlier lunch stop. Is anyone interested?

  • Anonymous
    Tue, 09-Oct-18

    If only 10 miles, surely one can start an hour later - are you up for this? That is the swing factor for me to join you.

  • Anonymous
    Tue, 09-Oct-18

    would like 10 mile walk but what time would you start? 8.46 or 9.46am?

  • Tue, 09-Oct-18

    I take your point about the later start, but if I go on the 8.46 at least I get to socialise with my friends in the rest of the group on the way down. If I take the latter train I am relying on two anonymous people deciding to turn out, who may not...

  • Anonymous
    Tue, 09-Oct-18

    Definitely up for the 10.5 mile option with earlier 08.46 train

    and see Knepp Wildlands don't mind an earlier lunch stop

  • Sandy
    Tue, 09-Oct-18

    Hi, I went on the previous Sunday outing (albeit it was the Sunday before the August bank holiday) and don't remember the full walk finishing too late, even though we dallied to observe magnificent beasts gathering by a watering hole - and I don't mean the pub at the end. Anyway it's highly recommended.

  • Anonymous
    Tue, 09-Oct-18

    To walker, are you planning to walk from Christ Hospital to George and Dragon at Dragons Green for lunch (5.2miles), then to Knepp Castle? Where do you plan to take the bus to Horsham? In addition, if you take early train, you will arrive at the pub prob at 12pm or even before. A later train seems a better option. The Crown Inn would make the morning too long 8.9 miles in a 10.5 miles walk

  • Tue, 09-Oct-18

    Lunch at the pub at Dragon's Green, yes. Arriving there about midday, yes, which does not seem too tragic. Easier to get a table, faster to get served. A 2.5 mile an hour pace suites me fine. The bus location is described in the walk directions - I intended to do the slightly longer route via the Dial Post pub. The bus is hourly, more or less on the hour at 3pm, 4pm, 5pm, 6pm - also 6.30pm and 7.30pm - and it goes to Horsham.

    I would like to get the 8.46 train in the morning for the reason already explained. If others want to get the 9.46, don't let me stop you. I was just pointing out what I am going to do and inviting anyone who wants to join me.

  • Anonymous
    Thu, 11-Oct-18

    A few of us will be taking 9:46am train from Victoria and doing a short cut about 10 miles with lunch at Dragons Green (~5miles into the walk) and catching bus # 23 at Perryland Farm near the Crown In at Dial Post (4:02pm, 5:02pm, 5:59pm)to Horsham. Buy a day return to Christ's Hospital. All welcome to join us.

  • Fri, 12-Oct-18

    Just to say, I may not be on the walk after all. I have been in the gluey phase of a cold since Tuesday and it shows no signs of letting go. I hope those who take the 9.46 train have a good day.

  • Sat, 13-Oct-18

    Anyone who went on this walk (or regrets missing it) should listen to Radio 4's Today program, which had a long report about Knepp and re-wilding this morning (0810-0826). Stargazer chose an opportune day to post this walk!

  • Anonymous
    Sat, 13-Oct-18

    7 walkers took the later train. warm with sunny intervals . Good pace in the morning, except in one field where we were greeted by a large hurd of cattles in our path, then they started to run back and forth, thank to our cattle protection officer, we managed to across the field in one piece. Arrived at George & Dragon at 12:30, only to learn the pub was fully booked by the classic car club, absolutely no food will be served before 2pm. No despire, off we went to Countryman, near Shipley (only about 1 mile or so on the country lane - but off the main path). We lost 1 walker By then. Nice lunch at Countryman with huge portion for starters. Another short cut on the country lane after lunch to join the official route. Soon we entered Knepp Safari park, the ‘highlight’ of the walk, but safari appeared to have gone vegan. We only saw two deers in the distance, swans and ducks on the lakes, but no farm animals....After a quick visit to Knepp Castle, we decided to call it a day, caught 4:06 bus to Horsham. Drinks at the atmospheric Black Jug - 5 mins from the train station, then caught 17:30 train back to London.

    Four of us visited Mr Tiger who has been well looked after by the hospital staff and more importantly has kept his humour and sharp wit. We hope he will be back to full health soon.

  • Sat, 13-Oct-18

    7 early risers emerged on the platform at Christ's Hospital with 1 more who missed the train catching us as we were leaving the lunch pub (using some creative means), making for 8 early risers, together with I understand to be 8 on the later train, making for a total of 16 on this very interesting Sussex Safari under warm savannah skies . One more doing a separate circuit (not included on the official count) also joined the early risers at the lunch pub. I believe the early risers managed to tick off the "Big Four of Sussex" -- Tamworth Pigs, Long Horn Cattle, Ponies and Fallow Deer. This is a very interesting walk which I would recommend again -- even outside the rewilding project, there is a sense of wildness with the lovely South Downs always in the distance. Also, seeing the pigs and cattle wandering about doing their own thing is really very special...Lacking a mid-afternoon refreshment stop, 4 of the long walkers enjoyed a brief break on a bench at the Quaker House before the final push into Billingshurst for refreshing bevies before catching the 18:28...Would be interesting to hear how the late starters enjoyed their day....

  • Sun, 14-Oct-18

    I see our reports crossed last night....so, the correct figure is 15 for the combined long and short versions of the walk. Sorry to hear the late starters did not see many critters...maybe all the short cuts bypassed them.....

Mr M Tiger
Mr M Tiger
Christs Hospital to Billingshurst
27.1 km (16.9 miles)
Difficulty 4 or 5 out of 10
A long (but flat) new walk visiting the estate of Knepp Castle where a re-wilding project is into its 10th year. Expect to see Old English longhorn cattle, Tamworth pigs, Exmoor ponies, fallow and roe deer, and, if you're really lucky, maybe even a purple emperor. The walk also offers views of historic buildings (Shipley Windmill, Knepp Castle, as well as a listed farmhouse and an old Quaker Meeting House associated with William Penn).
Trains Get the 9.02 Bognor Regis train from Victoria (Clapham Jct 9:09, East Croydon 9:23) arriving Christs Hospital 10.09.
Return trains from Billingshurst at xx:33. Get a return to Billingshurst.
Lunch The Crown Inn, Dial Post (01403 710902) after 14.3 km (8.9 miles). A 16th century inn on the village green with fare ranging from sandwiches through to venison from the re-wilding project. Food is served till 2.30 and the pub closes at 4.
Tea The Railway Inn opposite the station.
Directions: here
Options: There are shorter options involving the 23 bus to or from Horsham (see text). These inevitably miss out some of the walk's highlights and the bus is 2-hourly (approx) on Sundays.
  • Here are the times for the 10.8 mile (Knepp Castle to Billingshurst) version [Get the 10:25 train to Horsham from Victoria arriving there 11:47. Then the 23 bus from stop L at 12:04 (direction Worthing), alighting at the "Partridge Green turn" at 12:32. From there, using the alternative start (Partridge Green bus stop to Knepp Castle), you would get to the The Crown Inn for about 13:40.] 10.8 miles is the total length to Billingshurst from the bus stop (see comment below) .
  • The versions heading back to Horsham (from Knepp Castle or Dial Post) would need careful timing to meet the infrequent bus at Partridge Green (13:58, 16:08 and 18:08 direction Crawley). Trains leave Horsham at xx:00 and xx:44. I'll let you work the rest out.
T=swc.283
  • Andy Poole
    Mon, 21-Aug-17

    I know the pub and it can get busy with diners so will reserve a table. If anyone else intends to dine then add a post and I'll book an appropriate sized table

  • Anonymous
    Tue, 22-Aug-17

    The shorter version appears to be longer than the original. Can you clarify.

    jfk

  • Anonymous
    Tue, 22-Aug-17

    Hi, very much looking forward to my first walk with the group. Linn

  • Andy Poole
    Tue, 22-Aug-17

    The shorter route of 10.8 miles includes 0.7 miles from the bus stop to joining the route and the 10.1 miles remaining (16.9-6.8), although does not include the recommended short diversion to view the new castle itself

  • Wed, 23-Aug-17

    Thanks jfk - and Andy.

    Ive tweaked the wording slightly to make it clearer

  • Sandy
    Mon, 28-Aug-17

    Nine of us on the train, another two materialised for a late lunch at the Dial Post (and expressing some derision for the time we'd taken to get there) making 11 in all for a beautiful walk, full of interest especially in the rewilding area. The viewing platform over a pond populated by fallow deer, cattle, a heron and wold pigs had a Jungle Book feel in the beautiful sunshine . I didn't partake of the pub lunch but everyone must have been served efficiently considering we didn't get there till 2. A couple of people managed to down a quick beer at the Railway Inn, Billingshurst before the 1833 train. Many thanks to Andy for putting this walk together, a great day out.

  • Sandy
    Mon, 28-Aug-17

    That's wild pigs obviously, not a new species!