Walk 3305 - printer friendly version

Amberley Mount and Wepham Down Walk

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 8.0 miles / 13 km

Ascent - 900 feet / 273 metres

Grade - easy/mod

Start - OS grid reference TQ039089
Lat 50.870275 + Long -0.52479528
Postcode BN18 9RR (approx. location only)

This West Sussex walk explores the South Downs to the north of Burpham village. Using a mixture of tracks and field paths the route offers some fine views typical of this National Park. In the early stages of the walk the view south and west over the Arun valley includes Arundel Castle in its lofty position above the river. As the countryside changes with the deep valleys on the southern flank of Amberley Mount. Turning east on the South Downs Way, the views north across the Weald are outstanding. Finally as the walk turns south the route crosses typical downland.

The start is the car park (grid ref. TQ039089) adjacent to the village hall in Burpham village. Exit the car park onto the lane and bear left. Go left into the churchyard, bearing right to pass along the side of the church (which will be on your left). Exit the church yard via a stile and follow the signed path across a field with the boundary on your right to reach a lane (grid ref. TQ042092). Turn left along the lane with improving views to the Arun valley on your left.

Continue past Peppering High Barn keeping straight ahead and ignoring the signed footpath on the right. This track leads you easily uphill to reach a fork in the track. Fork right, with the wood on your left. After about 100 metres, turn left through the wood on a narrow path to reach a track (grid ref. TQ044110). Go straight across following a clear path northwards with the field boundary on your right. Reaching a track keep straight ahead following a track as it descends into a valley. Stay on the track as it climbs steadily uphill to reach the South Downs Way (grid ref. TQ038124).

Turn right along the South Downs Way. After a short way you can leave the enclosed path and cross a stile on your left and walk through the field adjacent to the path. Doing this provides unobstructed views north across the Weald and also along the South Downs in both directions. Continuing in westerly direction the path climbs gently onto Rackham Hill after which you need to return to the main path before crossing Springhead Hill. Descending from the latter, the path descends to a complex junction of paths and a road (grid ref. TQ070124).

Turn sharp right here and follow the signed bridleway in a southwest direction. At the next path junction (grid ref. TQ061110) continue straight ahead. Soon the path goes right and shortly after reaches a junction of bridleways (grid ref. TQ060109). Turn left here and continue for about 300 metres south. Go through an opening and turn right to follow a path with the hedge on your right. This leads downhill into a large meadow where it is better to stay high on the right hand side and continue along the boundary to reach a grassy track that descends across the slope. This leads into an enclosed lane (grid ref. TQ048092). Go past the water treatment facility and a large house on your left to reach a lane (grid ref. TQ043090). Turn right and walk up the lane bearing left after a short way. Follow this lane past the hotel to a t-junction. Turn right and then left past the pub to the car park.

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