Horsham in West Sussex sits just to the west of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Beauty and just north of the South Downs National Park. The town is surrounded by open countryside as well as areas of forest. Horsham is also in a great location for accessing a number of significant Sussex long distance trails including the Downs Link, the West Sussex Literary Trail, the High Weald Landscape Trail, the Sussex Ouse Valley Way, the Sussex Diamond Way and the Sussex Border Path. With an interesting and historic town centre, for the keen walker, the town is a great base from which to explore and here are five fabulous Horsham walks:
Chesworth – 4.5 km circular walk
Park at Denne Road car park or the small car park at the end of Queensway, or walk from the town centre (- which will add 2 km to the walk).
Catherine Howard (of Henry VIII fame) lived at Chesworth House but the surrounding area of Chesworth Farm is now a 90-acre site that includes meadows, waterways and lots of footpaths. Our relatively easy 4.5 km route is just one of many and takes you past ponds and through forests. You can find more information about the walk here: Exploring Chesworth Farm.
Riverside Walk – 21 km circular walk
Park in Horsham or catch the train. If you take the train you can join the Riverside Walk at Pondtail Road (about 1 km from the train station).
The Riverside Walk takes you more or less in a circle around the town including via paths alongside various waterways including the river Arun. There is a bit of roadwork on this walk and some parts are a little built up but there are lots of points of interest, and some nice rural stretches. Visit the Horsham District Council website for more information.
St Leonard’s Forest – 7 km circular walk.
St Leonard’s Forest to the east of the town has over 700 acres which is open to the public and home to multiple footpaths. You can walk from the town centre (it’s about 2 km from the station to open countryside). Alternatively, park at Roosthole car park or park at Leechpool Wood and walk from there.
Once in the forest, there are a variety of short or slightly longer paths you can follow and lots of things to look out for like dragons, wallabies and wildlife. For our 7 km walk, from Leechpool car park, walk south and join the High Weald Landscape Trail (head east) and it takes you into the heart of the forest. From there you can circle round with just a tiny bit of country lane walking. For full walk details: St Leonard’s Forest.
Warnham – 15 km circular walk
Park in Warnham, catch the bus to Warnham from Horsham or walk from Horsham Station (- but if you walk, it’s another 4 km). The good news is this walk takes you via 3 pubs and is one of our favourite Horsham walks.
Start at The Greets pub in Friday Street and from there walk towards Warnham Manor. At the manor gates, turn right up into the woods (lovely in bluebell season) before turning left across the field, across the A29 and up the hill to Rowhook and pub number two, The Chequers. You’ll have walked just shy of 4 km from The Greets.
From The Chequers, you’re going into Roman Woods and past the charcoalers before crossing the A281 and making your way up to the Downs Link and Slinfold where you’ll find pub three, The Red Lyon (at just shy of 10 km). From there, you pick up the West Sussex Literary Trail and follow it back to Warnham. For more details visit: Warnham Walk via Rowhook and Slinfold.
Christ’s Hospital – 7 km circular walk
Catch the train to Christ’s Hospital (or park at the train station there) and you’re immediately onto the Downs Link. Follow this south until just beyond the school where you take the second footpath right across the railway and up Sharpenhurst Hill. Look back for fabulous views, before heading on to Itchingfield church.
From there, you wiggle your way through the woods and across fields until you come to Bashurst Hill where you cross the Five Oaks Road and one last field and find yourself back on the Downs Link. Turn right and follow the Downs Link back to the start. There are lots of points of interest along the way of this walk. For full walk details: Christ’s Hospital walk.
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