Walks SWC Walks #294 : Pulborough to Halfway Bridge via Tillington

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.
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. After leaving Pulborough on a westerly route familiar from other walks, past the picturesque Stopham Bridge and church and on to Littleworth Common, the walk leads in a southerly direction through the Rother valley and picks up the Serpent Trail Long Distance Path up to the idyllic Sutton Common heathland and various woods to Burton Park, a large estate with multiple ponds in a fold of the South Downs. Leaving the Serpent Trail, the two recommended lunch options are back in the Rother valley, in Coultershaw Bridge and Tillington, and in the afternoon the route rises to Upperton and Hoe Hill, in between dropping into the Lod Valley through woods and fields. The finish is a descent back to the Lod River at Halfway Bridge, where another well-run pub helps whiling away the wait for the bus back to Pulborough. 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). The Lodsworth Larder in Lodsworth. The Larder is a community run, eco-friendly, village shop, located 1.6 km (1.0 mi) from the end of the walk. Open 08.00-18.00 Mon-Fri, 08.00-17.00 Sat and 08.30-12.30 Sun. The Halfway Bridge in Halfway Bridge. The Halfway Bridge is located at the end of the walk. Open 11.00-23.00 daily. Food served 12.00-14.00 and 18.00-21.00 Mon-Fri and 12.00-21.00 Sat-Sun. Back in Pulborough The Banyan Tree, located 300m beyond the end of the walk. The Restaurant is open to 23.00 daily, the café open to 17.00 Tue-Sun. The Oddfellow Arms, located 1.2 km/0.7 mi beyond the end of the walk. Open 11.00-23.00 Mom-Sat and 12.00-18.00 Sun. Food served 12.00-14.30 and 18.00-21.00 Mon-Sat and 12.00-16.00 Sun. Chequers Hotel, located 650m beyond the end of the walk.

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Trains	Out: (not a train station)
By Car	Start: RH20 1AH Directions Finish: Halfway Bridge, West Sussex, GU28 9BP Directions
Amazon	OS Explorer OL10 : Arundel & Pulborough [view map]
Help	Start walking Large print Using GPS data National Rail: 03457 48 49 50 • Travelline SE (bus times): 0871 200 2233 (12p/min) • TFL (London) : 0343 222 1234
Version	Sep-17
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