West Sussex County Council: 14 Tourism, Leisure, Walking and Cycling

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14 Tourism, Leisure, Walking and Cycling

In addition to a wealth of visitor attractions, many of the most interesting being managed by Environment & Development, West Sussex has a number of long distance paths and other walks which can be enjoyed on foot and, in some cases, by horse or bicycle. These include long distance routes such as the South Downs Way, the Downs Link and Worth Way, a wide range of self-guided nature trails and major facilities such as Pagham Harbour Local Nature Reserve (Nr. Chichester) and Buchan Country Park (Nr. Crawley) with their associated visitor centres.

You can find information about all these and more from the list below.

Title	Price in person	Price by post
West Sussex iMap Explore the countryside with the West Sussex Interactive Map (iMap)! The iMap is designed for all lovers of the countryside, including walkers, riders and cyclists. To view the iMap flyer - pdf format	Free	Free
Information for Visitors
Places to Visit in West Sussex and Group Travel Guide (updated annually) Produced for the benefit of visitors and residents, this information-packed guide gives details of visitor attractions throughout West Sussex. Find out more from the Attractions (Places to Visit and Group Travel Guide) page.	Free	Free
Sussex Caravan & Camping Sites (2006/7) This guide features over 50 caravan and camping sites in Sussex. Each site is summarised by a facility key and is given a quality standard. Includes contact details for booking / further information plus other useful contact addresses and telephone numbers. Please note that while the Sussex Caravan and Camping Sites leaflet is no longer in print, its contents are still available from this website. Find out more from the Sussex Caravan and Camping Sites page.	Free (available as a download from this website only)	Free (available as a download from this website only)
Sussex Churches - Open in West Sussex (2004) Divided into Western, Eastern and Coastal areas, this leaflet includes a selection of the most interesting churches to visit in West Sussex. Each church has a description with contact details for further information. In addition the leaflet contains a map to show the location of each church. Please note that while the Sussex Churches - Open in West Sussex leaflet is no longer in print, its contents are still available from this website. Find out more from the Sussex Churches - Open in West Sussex page.	Free (available as a download from this website only)	Free (available as a download from this website only)

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Information for Walkers
Ardingly Amble (2003) This guide promotes a 13km (8 miles) walk between Haywards Heath to Balcombe, introducing the delights of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The route follows public footpaths, bridleways and minor roads and is designed to link closely with the public transport network. Local Tourist Information Centre contact details are included. View the Ardingly Amble [PDF format]	Free	Free
Arundel to Portsmouth Canal Walks (2004) This leaflet promotes a 20km (12.5 miles) guided walk along the line of the Chichester Ship Canal and the Arundel/Portsmouth Canal from Birdham to Ford. For the most part the route is public footpaths across private land with short sections on roads and lanes. This leaflet divides the canal into several sections which, either individually or in combination, would be suitable for shorter walks. In addition the leaflet includes some historical information and landmarks associated with the canal. Please note that while the Arundel to Portsmouth Canal Walks leaflet is no longer in print, it's still available from this website. View the Arundel to Portsmouth Canal Walk [PDF format]	Free	Free
Buchan Country Park Trail Guide (2006) This leaflet is a trail guide for the 170-acre Buchan Country Park, situated in the beautiful countryside near Crawley. The leaflet provides details of the facilities on site, the history of the park and descriptions of the wildlife habitats. The main section of the leaflet is a trail guide for visitors with places of interest highlighted. Contact details are included. View the Buchan Country Park Trail Guide [PDF format - 3100 kb. NB Large file - may take a while to download]	Free	Free
Buchan Country Park Events View Autumn and Winter events at Buchan Country Park [PDF format - 1008 KB]. Find out more about events at Buchan Park.	Free	Free
Buchan Country Park View Your first step to a healthier future: Healthy Walks Programme [PDF format - 291 KB]. If you prefer, you can view the information by following this link.	Free	Free
Centurion Way (2004)Outlines an 8 km (5 mile) route for cyclists and pedestrians between Chichester and West Dean. The leaflet contains a route map and some historical facts on the disused railway and the development of the route. View the Centurion Way [PDF format]	Free	Free
Chichester City Tree Trail (2000) This tree trail has been devised to introduce both visitors and residents to some of the interesting trees within the city walls. The trail is about 1.5 miles long and should take about 1.5 hours to walk. A route is set out in the leaflet with a map and detailed descriptions on many tree varieties. View the Chichester City Tree Trail [PDF format]	Free	Free
Downs Link Route Guide (2005) Long Distance Bridleway The Downs Link is a 37 mile, level waymarked route open to walkers, horseriders and cyclists, linking the North Downs Way at St Martha's Hill, Surrey with the South Downs Way near Steyning, West Sussex. The laminated edition of the Downs Link route Guide is temporarily out of stock, but you can download it from the link below. View the Downs Link [PDF format, 405 kb]
Exploring West Sussex Programme of guided walks. Contact (01243) 756849 for more information.	£1.00	£1.50
High Weald Landscape Trail in West Sussex (2002) This guide is a general introduction to the many delights of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and shows how they can be enjoyed using public transport links. The route is built up of six walks; five circular routes and one longer route, the High Weald Landscape Trail. In addition the leaflet contains accommodation, attractions and public rights of way information. View the High Weald Landscape Trail in West Sussex [PDF format]	Free	Free
New Lipchis Way (2008) The Lipchis Way is a linear walk of 26 miles (42km) from Liphook to Chichester. Opened in 1985, this walk follows sign-posted paths up and down the South Downs, including 2000ft of climbing along the route. Passing through heath and downland scenery with pretty villages, this route offers stunning views across the Downs. Ideal as a two or three day trip or a demanding day trip. View the New Lipchis Way [pdf format, 2743kb]. (Please note that this is a large file, so may take a few minutes to download.	Free	Free
Rife Circular Walk (2004) Promotes a 10km (6.5 miles) walk around Barnham, Yapton, Flansham and Lidsey. The Rife Walks are a variety of circular routes with no official starting point but if walked together would take approximately 4 hours to walk. In addition the leaflet contains environmental information on the habitats and wildlife that may be encountered on the walks. Please note that while the Rife Circular Walk leaflet is no longer in print, it's still available from this website. View the Rife Circular Walk [PDF format]	Free	Free
Sidlesham Ferry Nature Trail (2007)The trail is about 1.5 miles of easy walking and takes about an hour. The paths may become muddy after rain so wellingtons or stout shoes may be needed. Several resting points are provided along the way. At point 6 a short cut leads back to the Visitor Centre if you do not wish to walk the full trail. The shorter route is suitable for assisted wheelchair users and pushchairs. View the Sidlesham Ferry Nature Trail [pdf format, 298 KB]	25p (where sold)	N/A
Walking in West Sussex (2005) Introduction to the network of over 4000km (2,500 miles) of West Sussex footpaths. More than a dozen walks in West Sussex are summarised together with contact information for further details of the route. Please note that while the Walking in West Sussex leaflet is no longer in print, its contents are still available from this website. Find out more about walking in West Sussex	N/A	N/A
Walking West Sussex Festival A festival of guided walks.	Free	Free
Wheelchair Walks (2003) A booklet for wheelchair users who want to get out into the country again or perhaps for the first time and enjoy a 'real walk'. Included within the booklet are thirteen walks researched and written by a wheelchair user. Families with pushchairs may also enjoy the walks. Routes include East Head, Arundel Park and Burton Mill. View the Wheelchair Walks [PDF format]	Free	Free
Worth Way: a Shared-Use Route Includes information on the history and wildlife of the Worth Way, in additiona to a map. View Worth Way: a Shared-Use Route [PDF format - 2084 kb NB Large file - may take a while to download].	Free	Free
Worth Way Circular Walks (2004) This leaflet will guide you on four short walks by using small stretches of Worth Way (see above) in conjunction with other rights of way. The walks vary in length from 5.5kms to 7kms (3.5 to 5 miles) and lead you back to your starting point. Included within the leaflet are route maps with ordnance survey grid references and distances. View the Worth Way Circular Walks [PDF format]	Free	Free
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Information for Cyclists and Horseriders
Centurion Way (2004) Outlines an 8 km (5 mile) route for cyclists and pedestrians between Chichester and West Dean. The leaflet contains a route map and some historical facts on the disused railway and the development of the route. View Centurion Way [PDF format]	Free	Free
Cycle West Sussex (2006) This A2 leaflet includes a variety of information from traffic signs and markings to the cycling code of conduct. The main section of the leaflet is a map of West Sussex cycling routes, with highlighted road types and railway station locations. The leaflet mentions two cycling routes: the surfaced route - Centurion Way and the off road route - Downs Link. Contact information is included for both West Sussex County Council and external bodies for example The National Cycle Network. View Cycle West Sussex	Free	Free
Coastal Route Leaflet - Shoreham to Worthing Coastal Route, Cycle Map and Guide View Coastal Route Leaflet	Free	Free
Downs Link Route Guide (2005) Long Distance Bridleway The Downs Link is a 37 mile, level waymarked route open to walkers, horseriders and cyclists, linking the North Downs Way at St Martha's Hill, Surrey with the South Downs Way near Steyning, West Sussex. The laminated edition of the Downs Link route Guide is temporarily out of stock, but you can download it from the link below. View Downs Link [PDF format, 405 kb]
Pedalling Ahead Details of the West Sussex Cycling Strategy. View Pedalling Ahead	Free	Free
Ride the BIG Weald (2004) Route cards for cycle rides in West Sussex. View Ride the Big Weald	£2.00	£2.00
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Miscellaneous
Finding your Way (2000) This is a basic guide for anyone who is thinking of promoting routes for walkers or riders and using the public rights of way network in West Sussex. This guide should enable the reader to design and promote a walk that is a credit to their local area. Key questions are answered including 'why promote local paths and for whom?' And 'what should you promote and where?' Appendixes are included to provide definitions of Public Rights of Way and the Countryside Code.	Free	Free
Picturesque West Sussex (2004) A a book of photographs with captions in English, German and French. (available from Tourist Information Centres only)	£4.99	£4.99
Rights of Way Improvement Plan for West Sussex View information about the Rights of Way Improvement Plan	Free	Free
Seasoned West Sussex (2000) A recipe book, designed to encourage people to tap into the wonderful resources on their doorstep. Recipes include Selsey Crab Bisque and Pear Tart.	Free	Free
For further information please contact (01243) 777610 or email SU Highways & Transport HQ		Back to top

Countryside offices
Pagham Harbour Local Nature Reserve (Coastal Plain Office) Selsey Road, Sidlesham, West Sussex PO20 7NE	Tel: (01243) 641508 Fax: (01243) 641568
Buchan Country Park (High Weald Office) Horsham Road, Crawley, West Sussex RH11 9HQ	Tel: (01293) 542088 Fax: (01293) 513811
Low Weald Office Station House, Cowfold Road, West Grinstead, West Sussex RH13 8LU	Tel: (01403) 864001 Fax: (01403) 864051

Page created: 12 October 2004
Last reviewed: 11 November 2008