West Sussex Literary Trail

A linear 55 mile (88km) route that links Horsham and Chichester.

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Opened in 2007, this route links Horsham with the cathedral city of Chichester.

Route information

Start/finish

  • Percy Bysshe Shelley's Millennium Fountain in Horsham - Grid ref: TQ 169306
  • Chichester - Grid ref: SU 859048

For use by

Walkers

Nearest locations

The walk takes you through some of the most interesting towns and historic villages in West Sussex. Of particular interest are Bury Village, Horsham and Chichester.

Terrain

The route runs south west from Horsham across West Sussex following footpaths and tracks, crossing the South Downs to reach Chichester. The Sussex Downs are wooded with a defined ridge along which the South Downs Way runs.

Highlights

  • Bury House - The home of novelist and playwright John Galsworthy (1867-1933) for the final seven years of his life.
  • Field Place, near Horsham - Where Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792-1822) was born.
  • Chichester - The poet John Keats (1795-1821) visited Chichester, where he began to write one of his best known poems, The Eve of St. Agnes, early in 1819.

Transport

Maps

  • OS 1:25,000 Explorer series: 120, 122, 134 
  • OS 1:50,000 Landranger series: 197, 198
  • OS Explorer Active: 120, 122, 134

 

About the West Sussex Literary Trail

The route connects with the Downs Link, South Downs Way, Monarch's Way and New Lipchis Way. By covering 12-15 miles (20km) per day, the route can be completed in 5-6 days.

The West Sussex Literary Trail guidebook, written by Keith McKenna and Peter Anderson, brings the walk alive with stories of the many and varied literary connections along its route. The book is available to borrow from libraries.

The West Sussex Literary Trail website has more information about the route and the guidebook.