Our group offers walks which are accessible by public transport and take place throughout the South East of England plus a summer holiday and a New Year break
In the footsteps of Hilaire Belloc Stage 4. A moderate- to fast-paced linear walk to Amberley over undulating terrain led by David C (Mobile: 07747 187036) via Steyning Round Hill, South Downs Way, Chanctonbury Ring, Washington, Rowdell, Sulington, Storrington and South Downs Way. Lunch stop at ‘The Frankland Arms’ (‘The Washington Inn’ in 1902), 3 London Road, Washington, RH20 4AL (Tel: 01903 891405) after 4½ miles or picnic nearby or a pub in Storrington (‘The Anchor’ or ‘The Moon’; ‘The White Horse’ is currently closed) after 7 miles. Dropout from Washington adjacent to Recreation Ground on London Road near A283 by #100 bus to Pulborough Station or by #23 bus to Horsham Station. Option to accompany the walk leader on 12½ mile extension into Cocking via Houghton, Bury, West Burton, Bignor, Sutton, Duncton, Graffham and Heyshott (#60 bus from Cocking Post Office to Chichester). Joint walk with HFW and KCW Groups. Map: E/122/121/120, L198/197.
Check trains the day before. Buy return ticket to Amberley. (If walking on to Cocking buy return to Ford and a single from Chichester to Ford).
NOTE: This is the 4th stage (of 5) of a walk from Robertsbridge to South Harting, inspired by Hilaire Belloc's walk undertaken in 1902, and detailed in his book The Four Men: A Farrago. Sections of the route taken in 1902 were along "cart tracks" which are now roads. Consequently the route we will take will vary slightly from the 1902 route, but importantly we will pass by sights and villages and pubs detailed in the book. The full fourth section is from Steyning to Cocking, although there is a convenient drop out point at Amberley.
Belloc took four days to complete the walk from Robertsbridge to South Harting, so we are already behind.
Saturday 1st November 1902: Across fields to Steyning to take the High Road to Washington Inn, Washington to stop for some ale. After which onto Storrington to stop at The White Horse Inn. Afterwards continued along Amberley Road to The Bridge Inn, Amberley. From here to St George & Dragon Inn, Houghton, and then past Bury to Westburton and westward down the sharp dip at Bignor and up the sharp bank of Sutton to the Cricketers Arms, Duncton to dine. Journeyed on beyond Graffham to spend the night at an Inn.
Pulborough Station at 10:22 (train from Victoria at 09:05, calling at Clapham Junction at 09:12 and East Croydon at 09:23). Catch #100 bus at 10:35 from outside the station to Steyning arriving 11:11 £4-6.
Amberley Station
