South Downs Way Part 3 (Amberley to Pyecombe) - June 2026

 Midsummer, the weather forecast looked perfect, the weather forecast...😄 a dense mist literally the entire morning and a little beyond, and lots of nice views missed!

On a positive note, it was cool and refreshing, and the views in the afternoon were fabulous, and it didn't rain! A relaxing day's walk, and not trying to break any records...

This was a 20.5 mile stretch (2 x 'stages' in the excellent guide book by Kev Reynolds), nothing terrible but with a few climbs of course. The train travel was flawless, overall a fabulous days walk, joined the trail at exactly 8am in Amberley and finished at 6pm 10 hours later opposite Pyecombe Golf Club where I will pick up the trail again next time. 

Had to walk 50 mins to Hassocks to get the train back home, unfortunately partly involving some unpleasant and slightly hazardous road walking on the A273, will take a taxi from Hassocks to  the start when I go back.

                                    Coming down out of the mist at last, but it persisted.

                                                            Washington village.

Washington – St Mary Church. The early 13th Century north arcade and the tower of c1500 remain.  The rest is 19th Century.

                                               A simple monument to a farmer.

                                          My favourite picture taken on the walk.

                                                               Pig farming!

     Near the end of the Downs Link, one I've walked before, a tough day walk for sure!

                                       The River Adur leading to Shoreham by Sea.

                                                Heading up onto Beeding Hill.

           YHA Truleigh Hill, slightly surreal as it seems so out of the way when you arrive.

                                             A cup of tea, with a view towards the sea...

                         The Devil's Dyke area is amazing, the pictures do not do it justice.

                                                         A character lives here!

                                        Pyecombe Church and enough for today.

The Wey South Path 2026

 Felt obliged to walk this again as it would make it 10 times! Was cursing myself after about 25 miles, with the usual aching feet etc! However, yet again the sense of satisfaction at the end is overwhelming and tends to overshadow the earlier physical strains! Ended up thinking I might just do it again...

Interestingly, despite 'not getting any younger' I completed this in my 2nd fastest time, exactly 13 hours, and for a change did not need any Ibuprofen (I'm not an addict!) for sore muscles/ feet. I put this down to a longer and more relaxed stride I've tried recently. 71,000 steps this time as opposed to a more typical 74,000 steps for the walk.

This is a summer or dry weather walk only as the marsh areas before Amberley are otherwise impassable. I also found last year that doing it in July meant reeds etc up to 7 feet tall, very difficult to walk through. I was back to the usual May this year and it makes a huge difference with growth no more than 3 feet tall.

Of the 3 pubs that the walk passes I was sad to see that one closed last September, and another looked a little 'worse for wear', a sign of the times sadly.

Overall this is an attractive walk with some lovely sections and appealing vistas that continues to offer a great deal for walkers, even those that have done it more than once! The distance, especially when carrying your own supplies for the day, is a challenge for most walkers, and that is all part of the appeal. The aforementioned sense of satisfaction can last for weeks and I always feel significantly fitter afterwards.

                                     0522am Millmead Lock in Guildford, the start point.

                                              Bramley, the old disused rail station.

                                                        The perfect garden...

                                              The Three Compasses, sadly no more...

                         Always stop here, a stone seating area next to Gennets Bridge Lock.

                                                           Gennets Bridge Lock

                                        The Onslow Arms at Loxwood, still looking good.

                       Next to the Onslow Arms and the location of the Wey and Arun Trust shop.

       Stopham Bridge next to the White Hart pub. Date unknown but a reference to it in 1347...

                                                                 Amberley at last...

                                                       18.22pm at the end point!