Amberley and Houghton Bridge circular

By Eddie Start

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Houghton Bridge is the important crossing in the River Arun valley

This walk begins at Houghton Bridge, the important crossing in the River Arun valley, with its fine stone bridge, railway station, the Chalk Pits Museum and watering holes for the weary walker.

We briefly follow the river meanders before heading steeply to the top of the South Downs for a boot-burning stride across the tops of the hills.

1. From Amberley Station go left under the railway bridge to walk past the houses of Houghton Bridge towards the structure which gives this crossing point its name.

Walk across the bridge to its west side and take the first signed left turning which crosses two stiles and joins the east bank of the River Arun.

Follow the riverbank path southward for nearly half a mile to cross a stile. There is a drainage station set to the left of the bank.

In a few yards, at a broken signpost, drop down to the left footpath, cross a stile and walk for just over a quarter of a mile on a twisting path, between hedges, to Stoke Road.

2. Turn right up the road for 150 yards, passing Sloe Cottage on the left and an entrance to a caravan site. Pass through a second metal gate on the left, climb up a bank and follow the rising bridleway, beneath trees.

The bridleway comes to a junction in 250 yards. Continue to the right to join the main track, passing an electrical control hut on the right. In a few yards, as the main track goes slightly left, pass through the bridle gate on the right and begin a descent across the meadow towards the valley bottom.

In 500 yards, a footpath goes to the right but our route continues on the bridleway across the valley floor. This is the original flood plain of the River Arun, now established and cultivated as farmland. The onward bridleway keeps to the tree-line which rises up the hillside to the left.

After nearly half a mile of level walking, the path goes to the left, with the trees encroaching from both sides. At a junction, with the trees beginning to thin out, take a few paces to the right, as directed by the signs, and cross the stile on the opposite bank.

3. The path now climbs for nearly 150 yards up a steep flight of steps cut into the hillside. As the path levels off, there are extensive views to the right down the Arun valley. Continue to the junction with a bridleway and go right towards Peppering High Barn.

On arriving at the farm buildings, take the left-signed footpath which heads up past the farm to the top of the Downs in two miles.

The path follows a route to a high point on the South Downs Way, the direction is generally north-east and is joined around the halfway point by bridleways coming from both sides.

Stay on the main track and take in the widening downland views. The hills out to the west continue to Hampshire and to the east the familiar kettle drum profile of Harrow Hill can be seen more than two miles away.

In one-and-a-half miles, the path comes to a four-way junction within scrubby hedges.

Take the path which heads north-east, half right, to the distinctive copse at the crest of the Downs.

4. From the copse, turn left to follow the signed South Downs Way, going west. This path offers the chance to stride out, it is well-defined and has fine views in all directions.

In half-a-mile, at the top of Rackham Hill, there is a familiar Ordnance Survey trig point a few yards off the track to the left. It is worth the detour, just to confirm your arrival at the 633ft high point of this walk.

This trig point is one of hundreds across the UK which were constructed in the Thirties to survey the country. The process uses triangulation principles to determine position.

Spare a thought for the energetic surveyors of old who trekked every inch of the country, lugging their weighty theodolites, and carrying out the detailed mapping. The surveying is now done by satellite.

Return to the main path, continue west to a four-way junction and bridle gate at Rackham Banks. Stay on the South Downs Way across the top of Amberley Mount and, after passing through a further gate, begin the steep descent towards Downs Farm.

At the bottom of the incline, follow the South Downs Way route to the right. Do not continue to the farm. As the path steepens and passes through a gate, it enters hedgerow. Drop to the farm access road and turn right.

5. With the entrance to Highdown on the right, turn left down the road known as High Titten. Continue down the hill, taking the opportunity to look over the left hedge at the extensive site occupied by The Chalk Pits Museum.

At the bottom of the hill, just before the main road and opposite the entrance to Quarry House, climb the bank on the right and follow the enclosed footpath for 100 yards to the road crossing.

Cross with care, turn right and walk to the farm track in 100 yards. Turn left towards the bridge which crosses the railway line. At this stage, just before a line of trees, your olfactory senses will have determined what your optical reactions have yet to appreciate.

Just over the bridge on the left are the local sewage works, all tastefully secluded and a reminder that the mundane realities of modern life are never far away.

Continue for 250 yards to a sharp left turn in the track and on to a gate at the riverbank.

Turn left along the bank to the small caravan site and, just before it, go left again, behind the caravans.

Drop right to a lower level and walk along a path and drive to come out beside the railway bridge at Amberley Station.