Walks Day walks # 294

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), with 484/467m ascent/descent. For a shorter walk see below Walk Options.
Toughness	7 out of 10, with 6 hours walking time. For the whole outing, including trains, sights and meals, allow at least 10 hours.
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.
Walk Options	Bus line 1 (Midhurst – Worthing via Pulborough Station) follows the A272 and A283 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 stops in Tillington 10 minutes after departing Midhurst, and in Petworth another 4 minutes later. 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.
Maps	Explorer: OL10 (Arundel & Pulborough) Landranger: Map 197 (Chichester & the South Downs)
Travel	Pulborough station is on the London Victoria to Southampton West Coastway Line through the Arun Valley. Journey times are 77 minutes Mon-Sat (two trains an hour), and from 75 minutes on Sunday (hourly). Lodsworth, Halfway Bridge is a stop on Bus Line 1 (Midhurst – Worthing via Pulborough Station). The bus runs about hourly from Midhurst to 19.00 (Sundays & Bank Holidays: two-hourly 08.30 to 18.30), passes Halfway Bridge 6 minutes later, and arrives at Pulborough station in another 21 minutes. Saturday Walkers’ Club: Take the train closest to 9.00 hours.
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. The Old Railway Station B&B, Tearoom and Restaurant in Coultershaw Bridge. The Old Station is located 13.1 km (8.1 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. The Horse Guards Inn in Tillington. The Horse Guards is located 16.0 km (10.0 mi) into the walk.
Tea	The Hollist Arms in Lodsworth. The Hollist Arms is located 1.6 km (1.0 mi) from the end of the walk. 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. The Halfway Bridge in Halfway Bridge. The Halfway Bridge is located at the end of the walk. Back in Pulborough The Banyan Tree, located 300m beyond the end of the walk. Currently closed. The Oddfellows Arms, located 1.2 km/0.7 mi beyond the end of the walk. Chequers Hotel, located 650m beyond the end of the walk.

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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