Walking Britain South Downs Walk
Bignor Hill and The Denture from Amberley
Walk Route Description
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This South Downs walk includes parts of both the South Downs Way and the Monarch's Way. The route includes a mixture of fields, woodland, a few hills up and down. After wet weather the paths can be quite muddy. Care is also needed crossing a busy main road. Route finding is generally easy.
The start and finish point is Amberley station. After crossing the main road and going left under the railway bridge, the first turning on the right leads over a wooden stile to the River Arun. Cross the footbridge over the river on the left and then follow the waymarked signs for the South Downs Way. Once the path gains some height, there is a view looking back towards the River Arun and the footbridge and a stretch of the South Downs ridge to the east of Amberley. After crossing the busy A29 there are no more roads to cross for a few miles as the route heads north-west between fields.
The next dip marks a crossroads of paths near to Westburton Hill and then the next stretch is quite steep going up south west before turning north-west on the way towards Bignor Hill with its two radio stations. Looking back, you can see the path you have just come along across the valley to the east. The path does not go to the top of Bignor Hill but skirts round to the left of it and leads to a car park.
Turn left here off the South Downs Way and head the short distance south to meet the Monarch's Way. Turn left onto this long distance path and continue through woodland along "The Denture" and through Houghton Forest. Once the path crosses the main road (A29) it crosses alongside a field with a view overlooking Amberley. Rather than walk along the road turn left in Houghton (grid ref. TQ018115) and walk north to rejoin the South Downs Way used earlier. A footpath to the right leads back to the bridge over the river and then back to Amberley railway station.
Please maintain social distancing - keep at least 2 metres away from other walkers.
Maps | |||
| Ordnance Survey Explorer OL10 | Sheet Map | 1:25k | BUY |
| Anquet OS Explorer OL10 | Digital Map | 1:25k | BUY |
| Ordnance Survey Landranger 197 | Sheet Map | 1:50k | BUY |
| Anquet OS Landranger 197 | Digital Map | 1:50k | BUY |
It is recommended you take a map. The preferred scale is 1:25k. | |||
GPS files - right click or option-click the button and choose "Save As..." to download this file.
Recommended Books & eBooks
The South Downs Way
Guidebook to walking the South Downs Way National Trail, a 100 mile (160km) route between Winchester and Eastbourne through the South Downs National Park, described in both directions over 12 stages. Easy walking on ancient and historical tracks, taking in wooded areas, delightful river valleys and pretty villages. With 1:25K OS map booklet.
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The South Downs Way Map Booklet
Map of the 100 mile (160km) South Downs Way National Trail, between Eastbourne and Winchester. This booklet is included with the Cicerone guidebook to the trail and shows the full route on OS 1:25,000 maps. The trail typically takes a week to walk and is suitable for most levels of ability.
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Navigation
This pocket handbook to navigation will help you master the necessary map and compass skills for mountain walking. Chapters include map scales, symbols and contours, grid references, map reading, bearings, route planning and night and bad-weather navigation, as well as navigating with a GPS.
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