The West Sussex Literary Trail is a long distance walking trail that runs from Horsham to Chichester. It is 87 km long and opened in 2007.
As the name suggests, it celebrates the county’s literary connections. And for the truly ambitious walker, it also means you can walk from Chichester to Rye (the Horsham to Rye section being via the 145 km High Weald Landscape Trail).
From Horsham, the West Sussex Literary Trail goes west to Slinfold and then south to Pulborough and Amberley. From there, you walk north west via Bignor and then west almost to Cocking before turning south west and then south to Chichester and Chichester Cathedral.
The start in Horsham and Warnham were the home of Percy Bysshe Shelley. Other literary references on the way include John Galsworthy (who lived in Bury), Bob Copper (who wrote about the Arun ferryman), Hilaire Belloc (who route about some of this route in Four Men: A Farrago and who lived in West Sussex), William Blake (who lived in Felpham) and John Keats (who stayed in Chichester at the beginning of 1819 and Stansted House).
As you walk, you’ll also pass through a diverse landscape with vineyards and the famous Blue Idol, as well as a Roman villa, Parham House ancient woodlands, museums, historic villages, winding paths, rivers and more. And of course, you’ll cross the iconic South Downs.
As you head south, climb the Downs at Duncton Hanger, walk some of the South Downs way, were the routes combine and then make your way through the gorgeous Eastdean Wood to emerge Charlton and Singleton before walking on towards The Trundle and descending into Chichester.
Essential trail information
The West Sussex Literary Trail is well signed on route and appears marked on Ordnance Survey maps and apps.
There is a guidebook available (written by Keith McKenna & Peter Anderson). The guide is available from Walking Pages and describes the route in six sections each with anecdotal notes, namely:
- Horsham to Barns Green – 10.5 miles
- Barns Green to Nutbourne – 9 miles
- Nutbourne to Houghton Bridge – 8.5 miles
- Houghton Bridge to Duncton – 8.75 miles
- Duncton to Charlton – 8.5 miles
- Charlton to Chichester – 9.25 miles
There are train stations at Horsham, Houghton (Amberley) and Chichester. There are bus services to Barns Green, Duncton and Charlton but check times before travel.
If you are walking this route over the course of six days, places to stay include Sumners Pond at Barnes Green, Cattlestone Farm (near Nutbourne), Amberley Castle (for a touch of luxury) or the Bunk House (Houghton), Toad Hall (Duncton) or the Yeoman’s House (Bignor) and The Fox Goes Free (at Charlton).
Places to visit on route
There are a number of places worth a small detour to on route. These include:
- Horsham Museum
- Blue Idol
- Nutbourne Vineyard
- Parham House and Gardens
- Amberley Castle and the Amberley Museum
- Roman Villa at Bignor
- Weald and Downland Living Museum
- Chichester Cathedral
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