Amberley and the River Arun

Route Description for Amberley and the River Arun

Exit Amberley station and turn right to cross the road safely. Turn left alongside the road, under the railway bridge and then across the road bridge over the River Arun. Small alcoves on the bridge allow you to walk with safety.

At the end of the bridge pass through the gate on your right and follow the elevated trail along the river bank for a mile, turning left at the next bridge. Stay on this path until you until you see Bury Church on the opposite bank.

Shortly after passing the church, turn right, down the embankment and between two short wooden fences. Follow this trail, with a drainage channel on your left, and the church now directly behind you. The trail curves to the right and shortly afterwards you can turn left to cross the channel.

Walk directly across the marshy field in front of you, climb over the stile and follow the trail diagonally left across the next field. Cross another stile and continue directly ahead of you.

Follow this trail over the railway, past the castle wall and into Amberley village. Head down Church Street in Amberley.

At the village T-junction turn right and follow the footpath to the main road. (Note that if you wanted to get to the Amberley Village Store you can go left at the T-intersection. Past the Village Store, and right along road is the excellent Sportsman Inn).

From the T-junction you are walking down School Road. You soon come to the B2139, which you cross over and walk directly up the lane opposite, called Mill Lane, but not sign posted.

At the top of the lane converge with the road that joins from the right and shortly afterwards turn left into the woods between two wooden barriers, onto the South Downs Way.

Pass through the gate and continue uphill on the narrow stony trail. When you reach the farm admire the views behind you and then follow the wide track that curves around to the right, leaving the South Downs Way behind.

At the first fork in this path go right, following the grassy trail along the right-hand field edge for half a mile, all the way to the very bottom of what becomes a steep slope.

Pass through the gate on the right and follow the trail diagonally left back up the slope directly in front you. There are abundant wild flowers to be seen here in spring and early summer.

At the top of the slope cross over a trail and continue to walk straight ahead along the left-hand side of the field. Here you can catch your first glimpse of the impressive Arundel Castle in the distance.

At the end of the field head into the woods and take the trail slightly downhill to the right, waymarked Public Footpath, which soon exits the woods. Turn right onto the public bridleway, left at the fork shortly afterwards and then left again to merge with the converging chalk track.

After almost 0.8 km, when the tall hedgerow ends and you see a large metal gate, turn right, down the narrow trail with trees on each side. The trail descends steeply down-hill via small steps, when you reach the bottom cross over the stile and turn left onto the grassy bridle way.

Continue on this trail until you reach a large track and a stile on your right. Cross the stile and follow the trail between two fields. Cross the stile on the other side and then turn right into the woodland and follow this narrow, sometimes overgrown, trail all the way until you reach another stile to cross over.

Turn left onto the bridleway, through the gate, and straight ahead across the field in front of you. The trail eventually curves to the right and exits the field through the gate in the corner.

Turn left onto the track at the top and right at the fork shortly afterwards. Follow the trail straight ahead, crossing over another trail and through the gap in the hedge. Turn right when you reach Stoke Road and then left onto a narrow trail, shortly after passing the house.

Cross over the next stile and turn right, walking alongside the river, back towards the bridge the trail crossed at the start. Cross over the stile and footbridge on the left, then cross another stile to reach the road and return to Amberley station.

Insider Hints for Amberley and the River Arun

• If you’ve got more than one day the 13.7 km Arundel Castle and Pubs hike is a fabulous trail that starts in nearby Arundel.
• Right next to the station, the Amberley Museum and Heritage Centre, has some fantastic exhibits including a restored bus and train to transport you around the site.
• The Gumber Bothy bunk barn and camping is a national trust site, situated just off the South Downs way. There’s toilets, showers, dorms and a kitchen, but pack light as the nearest car park is 3.2 km away at Bignor Hill or Northwood.