www.walkinginwestsussex.co.uk
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| www.walkinginwestsussex.co.uk |
This circular walk follows the River Arun then crosses the Arun valley railway line and goes through Amberley village. Then on to Rackham,climbs the North side of the downs and then back along the South Downs Way.
Traveling towards Storrington on the B2139 take the first road on your right after Amberley railway station. Drive up to the junction on your left and park on the grass verge.
Ordnance Survey Map: Landranger No 197/ 1-50000 Or for more detail Explorer No 121/ 1-25000.
Distance 6 miles. Time 2½ hours.
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Walk back down the road and turn left
at the main road. Cross over onto the footpath and follow it round to
the right .Go under the railway bridge and take the gravel footpath. Picture
below right |
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At the back of the caravans the path bears to the
left and you can join the river bank. Picture below left. Follow the river
bank and go straight past the footbridge and continue round to the right
on the river bank. |
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Continue on the river bank until you reach Bury village
the buildings and the church on the other side of the river. Picture on
the right.No2 on the map. |
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The next part of the walk can get a bit wet in the
winter. Leave the riverbank turning sharp right and head across the field
to the gate in the picture on the right.Pink line picture on the left. |
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Turn left and follow round the edge of the field
to the gate shown in the picture on the right.Turn left again and walk
to the next gate picture below left.Go over the stile and head straight
on as the picture below right. |
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Carefully cross the railway line keeping ahead as
picture on the right. |
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Amberley Castle now comes into view on your right
and just keep straight ahead until you reach the junction shown in the
picture below right. |
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Turn left and follow the road to the junction shown
in the picture on the right.At this point if you want to shorten the walk
turn right,walk to the main road cross straight over and up the hill back
to your car. |
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To continue the walk carry straight on
along the road passing the pub on your left.Eventually you reach a left
bend. Take the footpath on the right shown in the picture above right.
Head straight across and once on higher ground you will see the stile
between the buildings shown in the picture on the left.This takes you
into a narrow path and out onto the road. |
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Turn right and follow the road until you meet the
main road. Picture on the right |
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At the main road turn left and the gate you need is on the other side of the road, just a short distance along. Picture on the left. This is the road to Storrington and traffic is very fast along it, so be very careful here. |
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Continue on up through the trees coming out onto
an open path, Picture on the left. Eventually reaching the gate at Rackham
Banks.No4 on map. |
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Go through the gate and you now have a choice.Turn
right and walk along the South Downs Way to point No5.on map.Or cross
over SDW and climb up the bank keeping on it until dropping down to the
gate shown in the picture on the right. Go through the gate and turn right
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Follow the track, picture on the left that swings
to the left after a few yards. Eventualy it swings to the right and brings
you to point No5 on map. Pictures right and below left |
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Bear to the left, Picture on right and
ignore the SDW path on the right and take the wide chalk track heading
towards Down's Farm. |
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Pass the farm buildings on your left and when you
reach the point shown in the picture on the left don't go into the farm
but take the track on the right, shown in the picture on the left. After
a short distance you reach the road shown in the picture on the right,
where you turn right and walk back to your car. |
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