Its long time since I have walked this section of the Downs Link. It was a dry cloudy and mild morning (too mild for January) at 10 ℃. I left home at 09.45 and walked up to Broadbridge Heath, crossing the A24 before turning down Old Wickhurst Lane.
Pass the old Mill Pond, and across the River Arun where they have recently renovated the bridge, and destroyed the old "Pill Box" to pick up the Downs Link at Baystone Bridge. I have since found out (via Memories of Horsham) that this was not a Pill Box , but anti tank defences, and they have just cleared off all the ivy etc. when renovating the bridge.
It was then a straight walk all the way to Rudgwick, going past the air strip, through Slinfold, under the numerous bridges.
The last bridge is the best of all. It is a
double bridge as when the Guildford to Christ's Hospital line was built in in 1865 it was decided that the gradient of 1:80 was too steep in to Rudgwick Station so the second bridge was build on top. This bridge has undergone a lot of renovation since I last walked this section of The Downs Link.
An this is what the bridge looked like in 2011, so a lot of work has been done.
Martin then came and picked me up where the path crosses the A281 at Rudgwick, and was back home by 12 noon.
Location: Downs Link - Horsham to Rudgwick------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Downs Link - Horsham to Southwater - 5 1/2 Miles
22nd January 2013
It had been a cloudy but dry day so far, cold with the snow still on the ground. Needed to get out and do some walking , so decided that the Downs Link would be nice and not too muddy where the snow had started to thaw a little.
Walked up the Guildford Road to Broadbridge Heath, through the Village, the via the underpass under the A 281 into Wickhurst Lane.
Very upsetting all the building that is going on on GREEN fields - there is so much derelict land around, why build on green fields? - (sorry rant over).
The frozen Mill Pond is now only a few hundred yards from the building site :(
Crossed over the River Arun and continued to follow the path through the woods, which in a few months time will be covered in bluebells.
In a short while pass the old Itchingfield tip and join the road at Westons Hill - You are now on the Downs Link, although this part follows the road, as this section of the old railway line has not been converted to footpath / bridleway etc. At the next junction turn left on the Christs Hospital Road.
Follow the road over the railway bridge of the current railway, with the playing fields of Christs Hospital School in front of you. Turn right and follow the Downs Link signs onto the footpath that runs along side the current railway line.
Shortly you will see a post saying Southwater 1 1/2 miles - its actually nearer to 2 miles !!
When the path divides, take the right hand path trough the woods, which is in fact part of the old railway cutting. There was still quite a lot
of snow here.
No stopping here today, as its shut in the afternoon during the week in the winter, and also the light will be going soon.
Less than a mile now to Southwater, and there is now dampness in the air. Crossing the last field before Southwater it was now sleety rain, and I was glad the end was in sight.
Arrived at the old Southwater Station and the weather was getting worse. Was just about to phone Martin to come and get me, when he turned up in the car, so did not have to wait.
Apart from the last few hundred yards it was a very good 5 1/2 mile afternoon walk, and just great to get out for a couple of hours.
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The first 3 miles was boring as the Downs Link has to deviate from the old railway line and uses road to Christ's Hospital.
It was a lovely sunny day, hazy, but with a NE breeze which kept the temperature very pleasant.
Next Station is Southwater, but on the way it was nice to see some Early Purple Wild Orchids.
Southwater was busy with lots of cyclists and dog walkers between the Station and Country Park.
Then onwards towards Copsale and it quietened down and sometimes did not see anyone - peace and solitude, just the birds singing.
Next Station on route is West Grinstead, now 8.5 miles walked and time for first food break. Quite eerie sitting on the old station platform with one of the old carriages, which is now a visitor information centre.
Now on new ground has have never walked beyond West Grinstead. Between West Grinstead & Partridge Green was the 10 mile point.
At Partridge Green it was road walking again for a short way as houses have now been built where the Station used to be. Next Station is Henfield, this part of the walk was very quiet and went an hour with out seeing anyone, but again at Henfield it was quite busy with cyclists.
Just after leaving Henfield Station a short walk on the road again round houses that had been built on the old
line and an appropriate reminder of why there are so many walks & cycle paths on old railway lines !!
Now onward to Bramber and during this section another short food stop - this was the quietest part of the route and seemed to go on for ever, and then an uninteresting not well signposted section through houses coming out on a narrow lane at the entrance to Bramber Castle. At the entrance to Bramber Castle I had logged exactly 17.5 miles since my start this morning.
On crossing the Steyning Bypass road, I was now on the flood plain of the River Adur as it cuts through the South Downs, and have now logged 18 miles in exactly 6 hours including food stops.
This sign was a very welcome sight.
There was now a junction in the path - the official Downs Link followed closer to the road, or there was a footpath that followed the river bank and both met again at the Old Toll Bridge. Decided to follow the river path more interesting scenery, softer ground, and quite a few swans on the river.
The end is in sight..............................
Dorian and Holly had parked the car at the Old Toll Bridge and walked along the river to meet me.
It had been a lovely days walking and 21.8 miles in 7 hours 10 minutes. I am quite pleased with the achievement.
All I have to do now is walk the section from St Martha's Hill just outside Guildford back to Horsham (about 18 miles) and then I will have walked the complete Downs Link Trail. I plan to do this in the next couple of weeks - weather permitting.
I now have the "bug" for trail walking and have found several more in Sussex that can be completed in 2 days - watch this space for my future walks & travels.
Walked up the Guildford Road to Broadbridge Heath, through the Village, the via the underpass under the A 281 into Wickhurst Lane.
Crossed over the River Arun and continued to follow the path through the woods, which in a few months time will be covered in bluebells.
Shortly you will see a post saying Southwater 1 1/2 miles - its actually nearer to 2 miles !!
When the path divides, take the right hand path trough the woods, which is in fact part of the old railway cutting. There was still quite a lot
of snow here.
You come out of the woody area, and go under the road bridge with the Bax Castle pub on the left hand side.
No stopping here today, as its shut in the afternoon during the week in the winter, and also the light will be going soon.
Less than a mile now to Southwater, and there is now dampness in the air. Crossing the last field before Southwater it was now sleety rain, and I was glad the end was in sight.
Apart from the last few hundred yards it was a very good 5 1/2 mile afternoon walk, and just great to get out for a couple of hours.
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Downs Link - Part 2 - St Martha's Hill to Horsham 20.2 miles
15th May 2011
I left home just after 7 a.m. this morning as Martin dropped me off at St. Martha's Hill on his way to Bisley. It was a bright sunny morning with a bit of a chill in the air. I quickly found the start of the Downs Link on the North Downs Way, and started walking just after 8 a.m.
The start was at 51 13 30 N - 00 31 23 W and 175m (574ft ) above sea level.
The ground was quite deep sand and like walking on the beach, and the path quickly descended through a wooded area and then opened up with some lovely views.
After crossing the road at Chilworth there was an incline up to Blackheath. The heath was very sandy, and the ground did not change until after Chinthurst Hill.
Along the route so far, there have been several interesting buildings.
By 9.30 reached the junction with the Wey Arun Canal with a very unusual bridge.
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Here the Downs Link and The Wey-South Path are the same. In another 20 minutes reached Bramley & Wonersh Station (4.34 Miles). There was quite a bit to read on various boards around this station and the old level crossing gates are still in place.
The next section from Bramely to Run Common was quite uninteresting, but after being so quiet there was a sudden rush of cyclists to jump out of the way from, so decided to stop for a snack and let them all go past.
There are quite a few interesting bridges on the route, and this is just one of them.
Onward to Cranleigh were the shopping centre is built on the site of the old Station and sidings, continued to Baynards were I stopped for lunch, as there is a picnic site here with benches. It is marked on the map as the "Thurlow Arms P.H." but this has been shut for a long time. Its now 12.40p.m. and 12.2miles
Baynards Station has been privately owned since 1975 and totally renovated with the Station Office now a house. Sorry no photos as there is a notice requesting you don't post photos of the Station on the Internet as it is a private residence.
It was a very short distance to the County Border - yeh !!! finally in Sussex.
A short distance from the Station is the entrance to Baynards Tunnel, which has now been blocked off, but according to the information boards is home to several species of bats.
I must say that the signage of the route is Surrey is not as good as it was in Sussex when I did the section to Shoreham 2 weeks ago, a map was needed on several occasions where the path intersected with other foot paths.
This is in Sussex where several major paths crossed.
Now in Sussex and the next "Station" is Rudgwick, and across the A281 at 1.45p.m. (14.1 miles).
Stopped off to go down to the view point of the Double Bridge (which is the logo for the Downs Link).
After the brick bridge was built the Board of Trade decided that the gradient to Rudgwick Station was too steep so ordered the bridge to be raised as well as the embankments, before they would allow the railway to be opened. So a steel bridge was built on top of the first bridge. Apparently this is the only one of its kind.
Now on the home stretch and getting rather cloudy and a bit chilly with the odd spot of rain.
Left the Downs Link near Itchingfield where it follows the road to Christs Hospital - 3.05 p.m. & 18 miles.
Took the Bridleway that comes out on the A281 near Tesco, then walked along the road to home, this as an additional 2.2 miles.
This was a lovely walk and the scenery at the start was very different and more interesting, a total of 20.2 miles since starting out this morning.
This section of the trail did not have any road sections which was nice, as the section walked 2 weeks ago has 2 long road walks and a couple of shorter ones.
I have now walked the entire length of the Downs Link - in 2 sections - and learnt quite a bit about the history of this old railway line and places along it.
For my next trail walk I am looking at the Wey-South Path.
General Information
The Downs Link was opened in 1984 and is 37 miles long. The start is at St.Martha's Hill on the North Downs Way near Guildford and finished at the South Downs Way, but now continues to Shoreham. For most part it follows the old railway line.
The railway line was built in two sections, Christ's Hospital to Guildford was opened in 1865, and Itchingfield (near Christ's Hospital ) to Shoreham opened in 1861.
In 1966 the lines were shut when 4000 miles of railway lines were lost in the closures recommend by Lord Beeching.
The start was at 51 13 30 N - 00 31 23 W and 175m (574ft ) above sea level.
After crossing the road at Chilworth there was an incline up to Blackheath. The heath was very sandy, and the ground did not change until after Chinthurst Hill.
Along the route so far, there have been several interesting buildings.
By 9.30 reached the junction with the Wey Arun Canal with a very unusual bridge.
.
Here the Downs Link and The Wey-South Path are the same. In another 20 minutes reached Bramley & Wonersh Station (4.34 Miles). There was quite a bit to read on various boards around this station and the old level crossing gates are still in place.
The next section from Bramely to Run Common was quite uninteresting, but after being so quiet there was a sudden rush of cyclists to jump out of the way from, so decided to stop for a snack and let them all go past.
There are quite a few interesting bridges on the route, and this is just one of them.
Onward to Cranleigh were the shopping centre is built on the site of the old Station and sidings, continued to Baynards were I stopped for lunch, as there is a picnic site here with benches. It is marked on the map as the "Thurlow Arms P.H." but this has been shut for a long time. Its now 12.40p.m. and 12.2miles
Baynards Station has been privately owned since 1975 and totally renovated with the Station Office now a house. Sorry no photos as there is a notice requesting you don't post photos of the Station on the Internet as it is a private residence.
It was a very short distance to the County Border - yeh !!! finally in Sussex.
A short distance from the Station is the entrance to Baynards Tunnel, which has now been blocked off, but according to the information boards is home to several species of bats.
I must say that the signage of the route is Surrey is not as good as it was in Sussex when I did the section to Shoreham 2 weeks ago, a map was needed on several occasions where the path intersected with other foot paths.
This is in Sussex where several major paths crossed.
Now in Sussex and the next "Station" is Rudgwick, and across the A281 at 1.45p.m. (14.1 miles).
Stopped off to go down to the view point of the Double Bridge (which is the logo for the Downs Link).
After the brick bridge was built the Board of Trade decided that the gradient to Rudgwick Station was too steep so ordered the bridge to be raised as well as the embankments, before they would allow the railway to be opened. So a steel bridge was built on top of the first bridge. Apparently this is the only one of its kind.
Now on the home stretch and getting rather cloudy and a bit chilly with the odd spot of rain.
Left the Downs Link near Itchingfield where it follows the road to Christs Hospital - 3.05 p.m. & 18 miles.
Took the Bridleway that comes out on the A281 near Tesco, then walked along the road to home, this as an additional 2.2 miles.
This was a lovely walk and the scenery at the start was very different and more interesting, a total of 20.2 miles since starting out this morning.
This section of the trail did not have any road sections which was nice, as the section walked 2 weeks ago has 2 long road walks and a couple of shorter ones.
I have now walked the entire length of the Downs Link - in 2 sections - and learnt quite a bit about the history of this old railway line and places along it.
For my next trail walk I am looking at the Wey-South Path.
General Information
The Downs Link was opened in 1984 and is 37 miles long. The start is at St.Martha's Hill on the North Downs Way near Guildford and finished at the South Downs Way, but now continues to Shoreham. For most part it follows the old railway line.
The railway line was built in two sections, Christ's Hospital to Guildford was opened in 1865, and Itchingfield (near Christ's Hospital ) to Shoreham opened in 1861.
In 1966 the lines were shut when 4000 miles of railway lines were lost in the closures recommend by Lord Beeching.
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Sunday 1st May 2011 - Downs Link - Horsham to Shoreham 22 Miles
On New Years Day, I made the resolution to get fit enough to walk the Downs Link from Horsham to Shoreham - 22 miles by Easter.
Well all was going to plan with various walk over the months up to 11 miles, but decided that Easter weekend would not be good as a) it was so hot 29.5 Deg and there is very little shade on some parts of the route, and b) going on holiday on Monday did not want the risk of any injuries.
So after returning from holiday on Friday decided that I was going to do the walk on Sunday 1st May, just 1 week late.
Rucksack packed with sandwiches, plenty of water, Jelly Babies, and route guide. Phone is set to e-mail location every 30 minutes to Martin. I set off from home at 9.15 am"
It was a lovely sunny day, hazy, but with a NE breeze which kept the temperature very pleasant.
Next Station is Southwater, but on the way it was nice to see some Early Purple Wild Orchids.
Southwater was busy with lots of cyclists and dog walkers between the Station and Country Park.
Then onwards towards Copsale and it quietened down and sometimes did not see anyone - peace and solitude, just the birds singing.
Now on new ground has have never walked beyond West Grinstead. Between West Grinstead & Partridge Green was the 10 mile point.
At Partridge Green it was road walking again for a short way as houses have now been built where the Station used to be. Next Station is Henfield, this part of the walk was very quiet and went an hour with out seeing anyone, but again at Henfield it was quite busy with cyclists.
line and an appropriate reminder of why there are so many walks & cycle paths on old railway lines !!
On crossing the Steyning Bypass road, I was now on the flood plain of the River Adur as it cuts through the South Downs, and have now logged 18 miles in exactly 6 hours including food stops.
This sign was a very welcome sight.
Could now feel the chill of the wind across the valley and it was very hazy, sent a text to Dorian as he & Holly were sailing at Shoreham, to say I was on the walk and could I have a lift home.
In the area of the old cement works there was still evidence of the railway.
The end is in sight..............................
Dorian and Holly had parked the car at the Old Toll Bridge and walked along the river to meet me.
It had been a lovely days walking and 21.8 miles in 7 hours 10 minutes. I am quite pleased with the achievement.
All I have to do now is walk the section from St Martha's Hill just outside Guildford back to Horsham (about 18 miles) and then I will have walked the complete Downs Link Trail. I plan to do this in the next couple of weeks - weather permitting.
I now have the "bug" for trail walking and have found several more in Sussex that can be completed in 2 days - watch this space for my future walks & travels.
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