Medium Circular Walks

This is one of my favourite walks as it takes you through different terrains and there are plenty of stunning views. It also starts and ends at The Black Horse pub in Amberley, which is one of my favourite pubs, and is a great place to grab some food or a drink at the end of the walk!

9.5km – 5.9 miles

This circular West Sussex walk starts by Amberley station and takes you along the River Arun, before heading round the back of Amberley Castle and past the pretty thatched houses in Amberley village. The walk features a stop at Amberley Tea Rooms. The walk then heads up to the South Downs Way, with some stunning views over Sussex, before heading back down to the start point.

6km – 3.7 miles

This walk commences at Swanbourne Lake in Arundel and heads up through the beautiful Arundel Park and onto the Monarch’s Way. After walking along a section of the Monarch’s Way, the route heads towards the small village of South Stoke, before following the River Arun back to Arundel, with stunning views over to Arundel Castle. Just before the end of the walk, the route passes by The Black Rabbit pub, which serves delicious food.

9km – 5.6 miles

This West Sussex circular walk starts in the small village of Ashington, just off the A24, and takes you across the footbridge over the A24 and into Capite Wood. The walk loops round Capite Wood, where there are bluebells galore, before heading back through a mixture of woods and fields, to the village.

9.8km – 6.1 miles

This is a lovely walk (around 2 hours) from Ardingly Reservoir, through fields under the viaduct. The walk is largely off road, although you do have to cross a couple of roads and is very peaceful with plenty of wildlife.

7.5km – 4.6 miles

This circular walk in Sussex starts in the village of Balcombe and takes you along the route of the River Ouse, past the Ouse Valley Viaduct and around the Ardingly Reservoir before bringing you back into Balcombe again.

14.2km – 8.8 miles 

This is an easy circular walk starting at Benbow Pond, near Midhurst. This walk includes stunning views of the South Downs, as well as plenty of wildlife at the pond.

8.3km – 5.2 miles 

This walk starts by heading through beautiful woodland, before heading up towards Bignor Hill. Here there are views for miles and the walk then follows the South Downs Way before turning off and heading back down to the car park.

8.6km – 5.4 miles

This is a gentle stroll around the lanes around Bosham Quay and back around along the coastal path. The walk starts in Bosham at the pay and display car park – you can find plenty of refreshments here as well as the Arts & Crafts centre. A good walk for enjoying the wildlife.

6.1km – 3.8 miles 

The windmill trail from Boxgrove is a wonderful circular trail taking you from Boxgrove Village Hall car park up to Halnaker windmill and back, passing a gorgeous vineyard and through the well-photographed tunnel of trees.

8km – 5 miles 

This circular walk starts at the Chantry Post Car Park on the South Downs Way, just South of the village of Storrington. From here you head South, off the South Downs Way down to Lee Farm, before heading over to Kithurst Hill and back on a short stretch of the South Downs Way, returning to the car park.

5.6km – 3.5 miles

This walk starts in the pretty sailing village of Itchenor by Chichester Harbour, and takes you along the harbour until you reach West Wittering, when the walk heads inland and takes you through the picturesque West Wittering village.

9.6km – 6 miles

This loop starts in Cocking and goes to Singleton and includes stunning views of the South Downs countryside from the SDW.  There is plenty of forest walking (Charlton Forest), so ideal for a warm day and there are opportunities for refreshments on route.

8.3 miles 

This walk starts just outside the picturesque village of Findon, North of Worthing. From here, it takes you on a circular loop on the South Downs with some stunning views. This walk is near Cissbury Ring, but instead of heading South over to Cissbury Ring, it takes you over the South Downs to the North, and therefore makes for a quieter walk than the ever popular Cissbury Ring.

6.2km – 3.9 miles

This circular walk starts at Kithurst Hill, which is near the halfway point of the South Downs Way. From here, the walk heads South, in the direction of Burpham before heading West over towards Amberley way, and then heading North where the walk re-joins the South Downs Way, back to the car park.

7.3km – 4.5 miles

This walk starts at Cowdray in Midhurst and goes through Cowdray Golf Club and across to the village of Lodsworth. There is a pub stop in Selham at the Three Moles and then the walk carries along to Ambersham and along the River Rother back to Midhurst.

14.7km – 9.1 miles

This walk starts in the centre of Midhurst and takes you on a circular loop, first heading north-west out of Midhurst, following the River Rother. The walk then follows the New Lipchis Way until you reach the Petersfield Road, before following the Serpent Trail which takes you through Midhurst Common and back to the town centre.

6.4 km – 4 miles 

This circular walk starts by The World’s End pub in Patching and then heads up to the pretty village of Patching, before heading through Angmering Estate and back round to the start point.

6.8km – 4.2 miles

This walk begins at the Pulborough Brooks Nature Reserve car park and takes you on a circular loop to the town of Pulborough and back round along the river. This walk gives you beautiful views over Pulborough Brooks which is home to an array of wildlife and view of the South Downs.

6km – 3.7 miles

This route takes you around the beautiful Slindon Estate, which is owned by the National Trust. The walk passes by Nore Folly, before heading along Stane Street, a Roman Road. The route then takes you past Northwood, and ‘Littlewood lookout’, a lovely sweet chestnut framed shelter. The walk finishes with a short climb, allowing you to take in spectacular panoramic views across the Slindon Estate and over towards Bignor Hill.

8.8km – 5.5 miles

This walk starts with a climb up to the top of the South Downs, and takes you along the South Downs Way before peeling off and heading down to the market town of Steyning. You can either continue on the circular route back to the car park, or you can explore the village of Steyning and grab some refreshments before heading back!

9km – 5.6 miles

This walk takes you from the small village of Washington up onto the South Downs Way, before heading back down a chalk path to Sullington Manor Farm, where there is a café located in The Old Workshop. St Mary’s Church is also located here, which is worth visiting. The walk then takes you back on the lower path along the base of the South Downs, back to Washington.

8.2km – 5.1 miles

This is a stunning walk on most of the Serpent Trail and takes you from Woolbeding Common car park, along the Serpent Trail to the Duke of Cumberland Pub. From the pub, the walk winds back through Henley Common and the forests and includes the wonderful far-reaching views from Woolbeding Common.

7 km – 4.3 miles