Every Stop I Make
A Friday walk on a Tuesday. We've had a run of fine, warm weather and so it was a slap to the face to receive a frosty start, to be fully clothed and to have to apply sun cream. Things quickly warmed up and the following is a neat loop with plenty of interest. I also had the company of a dog for a small section, which I enjoyed immensely but, sadly, I had to leave behind. The intent was to get to Arundel Castle to appreciate the tulips and I guess the gardens are a joy at most times of the year.
Amberley can be reached via Three Bridges, in just over an hour by train.
From the station exit left onto the New Barn Road. Go back under the railway bridge and take the footpath north soon after. This section of the Sussex Literary Trail merges with the South Downs Way and follows the Arun before crossing it at the bridge. The trail continues on the west bank and heads towards Bury. I was fortunate to hear both green and redshank on this stretch. Pass under the willow trees and make it to to the once bustling wharf, opposite the church. Bury is an attractive village of timber-framed buldings, thatch and stone. The church was not open but continue along Church Lane and you will pass the 17th century grade II Jessamine Cottage. Cut the corner and take the road on the right to take the footpath to Prattendens Farm. Cross The Street and take the road on the left. This turns to a trail that crosses Bury Hill.
Go straight over and follow Bury Common south to the footpath that goes west. There is a lovely memorial to a local farmer along this path. Wild garlic was just coming into flower and abundant. As I was admiring the thatch across the paddock, I spotted a spaniel and friend digging for rabbits. Their intense fun caused then great surprise at my arrival. The smaller-legged dog greeted me and slipped through a gap in the fence that the other couldn't. She was mine now, leading the way in doggy exploration as I progressed onto the road. I thought she might choose to return to the rabbits but no. Once beyond West Burton Lane and at the corner with Upper House, I took the dog and matters in hand. The fun was over and time to call mummy. The owner duly arrived to take home my happy little companion.
You will see signs for Bignor and the Roman Villa. Well worth a visit. From West Burton Road, leave the Literary Trail and head up the bridleway to the aptly named West Burton Hill. There is a rotunda-like structure on your way upbut I've not been able to find any information on it. At the rather complex -looking junction, rejoin the South Downs Way and make your way west to Toby's Stone and Bignor Hill. The dome of Bury Hill is behind you.
It felt joyful to walk high on the hill after the river. I paused at the mounting block commemorating George James Wentworth Fitzwilliam (otherwise Toby). Apparently, it being a memorial to the secretary of the Cowdray Hounds, it is regularly vandalised. There is also a seemingly random wooden post for Henry Claude Strathern Evill. Today, I sat and heard the lovely sound of a woodlark. I was also fortunate to chat with Kent radio ham and all-round adventurer Kevin Richardson on his way to Chichester and beyond to the Normandy Beaches.
This is part of the Slindon Estate. Beyond the car park is the Roman Stane Street but switch back onto the eastward leg of the Monarch's Way. This will take you over Barkhale Camp, a neolithic causewayed enclosure with and old yew tree in its interior, on the southern edge. There is not much left on the ground and, even after many excavations, not much left to radiocarbon date.
You are now walking on The Denture, in Forestry England's Houghton Forest. There are other trails but continue on the bridleway when the Monarch's Way forks. You'll see pigs marked on the fingerposts and these relate to some walks local to the Pig Hotel at Madehurst. Cross the road to Madehurst and continue towards Fairmile Bottom. Do not go over yet but parallel the road a little way before crossing at the nature reserve at Yewtree Gate. The footpath rises steeply up steps. Walk with yew trees southeast on the edge of the reserve. Orange tips fluttered with me.
At the bridleway, leave the reserve and walk southeast in Rewell Wood. The bridleway leaves the woods for a while as it crosses the hill. At Screens Wood, continue with the bridleway, all the way to the roundabout.
It being a good time for lunch in Arundel, I did. Explore at will. I took in the castle gardens and the 2025 tulip festival.
The final stretch rejoins the Monarch's Way that passes the cathedral and enters Arundel Park on London Road. Pass on the right of the Hiorne Tower and on the edge of the slope, you can see down and behind you towards Swanbourne Lake. Do not be deterred but ascend. The sound of calling sheep and lambs rang over the grassy mound. Carry on and be careful to follow the signs before descent to the river. There is a lot of tree-planting going on.
Now you will follow the west bank of the river all the way back to Amberley station. The last section is a boardwalked footpath before you reach the Grade II listed Houghton Bridge and best viewed from this field. There is the Bridge Inn pub and the Turnpike cafe if you fancy a break. Otherwise, go back under the railway bridge and you know where you are.
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