Pulborough to Halfway Bridge via Tillington walk
The Rother and Lod valleys, Littleworth and Sutton Common heathlands, South Downs views, Burton Park and three good pubs
Length | 26.0 km (16.1 mi), of which 8.7 km (5.4 mi) on tarmac or concrete.
Cumulative ascent/descent: 439/422m. For a shorter walk, see below Walk options. |
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Toughness | 8 out of 10
Time: 6 hours 20 minutes net walking time. For the whole outing, including trains, sights and meals, allow at least 11 hours. |
OS Maps | Landranger: Map 197 (Chichester & the South Downs);Explorer: OL10 (Arundel & Pulborough) |
Walk Notes | This walk is a winding excursion through the Rother and Lod valleys in central West Sussex, routing through various quaint, remote villages, some atmospheric woods and several fine commons, part-wooded, part sandy heathland. Frequent southerly views of the South Downs and of Black Down to the north and long stretches in deep, shady holloways add to the mix, making this a very varied outing.
Note: The route off Hoe Hill includes a tricky descent down a very narrow and slippery gully. |
Travel | Pulborough station is on the London Victoria to Southampton West Coastway Line through the Arun Valley. Journey times are from 71 minutes Mon - Sat (two trains an hour), and 77 minutes on Sunday (hourly). Halfway Bridge is a stop on bus line 1 (Midhurst – Worthing via Pulborough Station). The bus runs hourly from Midhurst on xx.30, then 17.40 and 18.45 (Sundays & Bank Holidays: two-hourly 08.30 to 18.30), passes Halfway Bridge 4 minutes later, and arrives at Pulborough station in another 26. |
Walk Options | Bus line 1 (Midhurst – Worthing via Pulborough Station) follows the A 272 and A 283 through the walk area. Convenient stops for shortcuts are: Tillington (late lunch stop) and Petworth (reached shortly after lunch via an alternative route through Petworth Park). The bus leaves Midhurst hourly on xx.30, then 17.40 and 18.45 (Sun: two-hourly to 18.30) and passes Tillington 8 and Petworth 15 later resp.
A Morning Shortcut cuts out Sutton Common heathland (cuts 1.2 km and 48m ascent). An Afternoon Shortcut cuts out several woods and the last sharp ascents around Hoe Hill by taking a much more direct route through the Lod valley (cuts 4.4 km and 135m ascent). For an epic walk use the alternative route after lunch through Petworth Park to Petworth and there pick up SWC 128’s Pulborough Ending. |
Lunch | The Swan Inn in Fittleworth. The Swan Inn is located 5.4 km (3.3 mi) into the walk and suitably located for late starters. Open 08.30-23.00 daily (-22.30 Sun).
The Old Railway Station in Coultershaw Bridge. The ORS is located 13.1 km (8.2 mi) into the walk, 200m off route. The Badgers in Coultershaw Bridge. The Badgers is located 13.0 km (8.1 mi) into the walk, 100m off route. Open 11.00-23.00 daily. Food served 12.00-14.30 and 18.00-late Mon-Sat and 12.00-late Sun. The Horse Guards Inn in Tillington. The Horse Guards is located 16.0 km (10.0 mi) into the walk. Open all day every day. Lunch served 12.00-14.30 Mon-Fri, 12.00-15.00 Sat and 12.00-15.30 Sun. Dinner 18.30-21.00 Sun-Thu and 18.00-21.30 Fri-Sat. |
Tea | The Hollist Arms in Lodsworth. The Hollist Arms is located 1.6 km (1.0 mi) from the end of the walk. Open all day every day. Food served 12.00-14.30 and 19.00-21.00 (not Sun evening).
Back in Pulborough
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By Train |
Out (not a train station) |
By Car |
Start RH20 1AH Map Directions Finish Halfway Bridge, West Sussex, GU28 9BP Map Directions |
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Help |
National Rail: 03457 48 49 50 • Travelline (bus times): 0871 200 22 33 (12p/min) • TFL (London) : 0343 222 1234 |
Version |
Sep-18 Thomas G |
Copyright | © Saturday Walkers Club. All Rights Reserved. No commercial use. No copying. No derivatives. Free with attribution for one time non-commercial use only. www.walkingclub.org.uk/site/license.shtml |
Walk Directions
Full directions for this walk are in a PDF file (link above) which you can print, or download on to a Kindle, tablet, or smartphone.
This is just the introduction. This walk's detailed directions are in a PDF available from wwww.walkingclub.org.uk