There is a little corner of Sussex that feels far enough away from city life to be a proper rural escape and yet is still brimming with interesting and diverse things to do. So pack your bags and jump on a train to Amberley, just north of the South Downs and just over an hour from London. It’s time to discover Amberley and Houghton.
Amberley Museum
As you walk out of the train station, you’ll see Amberley Museum opposite. It’s an open-air heritage museum. The museum preserves and showcases the area’s rural, transport, industrial and communications history with dozens of different collections and exhibitions. From transport to crafts and old communication methods (like their print room) to their gin building and their chalk pits (where much of the James Bond Film A View to a Kill was filmed in 1985), you can lose yourself here for at least a day. It’s a large site with lots going on and a café.
Amberley Castle
A short walk from the museum is Amberley Castle which featured in the Domesday Book. The land where Amberley Castle stands was gifted to Bishop Wilfrid in 683 AD by Caedwalla, King of Wessex. In due course, it became a residence for the Bishops of Chichester and was transformed into a fortified manor house complete with crenelations, battlements and a portcullis. These days, it’s a luxury hotel with a stellar restaurant and is perfect for a luxurious afternoon tea.
Parham House and gardens
A 4 km walk from Amberley is Parham House and Gardens. Parham House is a stunning Elizabethan house which dates back to 1577. The house also had a beautiful walled garden and pleasure grounds as well as a wider estate. You can explore a series of stunning rooms in the house which include the Great Hall, the Long Gallery, the Great Parlour and the Great Chamber and you’ll discover beautiful collections of furniture, paintings, books, textiles and clocks. Before you leave, visit the tiny chapel in the grounds.
Amberley Wildbrooks Nature Reserve
Next to the river Arun and with views of the South Downs, this nature reserve is 82 hectares of wetland habitat which is awash with wildlife from deer and eagles to smaller birds and other wildlife. The Wey South Path goes across the wetlands and the West Sussex Literary Trail goes around the edge. For an 8.5 km walk, you can walk all the way around the reserve via the 14th century Greatham Bridge and Greatham church (parts of which date back to the 12th century). A 10th century gold and enamel ring was discovered near Greatham in 2021!
Amberley village
Back in the village, have a potter around and admire the many thatched cottages. There are a couple of pubs (The Black Horse and The Sportsman), a 12th century church, a Village Stores and Post Office, and a pottery. And of course, you also have access from here to the South Downs and the South Downs Way which means there are miles and miles of country walks to enjoy.
The George and Dragon
Just up the road from the train station, and easily walkable, is The George & Dragon, reputedly one of the oldest three pubs in Sussex. You can walk along the main road but we wouldn’t advise it. Instead, take one of the many footpaths – it’s still only a short walk and much safer. The pub has a terrace at the back with great views and apparently King Charles II stopped here in 1651 when fleeing the country after his defeat at the Battle of Worcester.
Houghton Bridge and Riverside Tea Rooms
Houghton Bridge, just next to the train station, is Grade II listed and was built in 1875 in Medieval style. Opposite is the Toll House built in 1813 to collect tolls on the new road from Storrington. Behind the Toll House is the Riverside Tea Rooms which are much more than a tea room. They have a series of cabins where you can stay the night, bike and boat hire and a great riverside deck for some alfresco relaxation. If you’re still hungry, there is also a pub and a restaurant on the other side of the road – The Bridge and The Boathouse.
When you’ve had your fill of this beautiful corner of Sussex, just hop on the train and head back home.
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