Best walks near Chichester by train
Sussex · South East England | Walks by foot
MapA day hike in the countryside is just a simple train journey away — explore the most charmingly located railway stations in South East England and plan your next day of green.
Amberley Station to Arundel Station (Sussex)
30m from Chichester, with one change.
13km. Gentle ascents. 3h30–6h.
Beginner-friendly: A beautiful, varied walk with a number of sights along the way and the experience of seeing Arundel Castle gradually emerge on the horizon. Arundel itself is a romantic little town that’s worth exploring and appreciating if you have the time. Visiting the castle and its grounds would require a day in itself. Simply follow the river and cross over when you get to Arundel. You can’t go wrong! There’s only one place to have lunch en route (the George) and it can be busy on weekends, so reserve a table to avoid a wait — book for 2.5 hours after your arrival at Amberley to allow for a leisurely pace with time to dilly-dally and appreciate sights on the way. Book for 3 hours after your arrival for a slow pace or extra contingency! (or just pack lunch).
An essential walk!
Highlights: Arundel Castle and Arundel itself.
Lunch stop: the George (1h30–3h in).
End-of-walk reward: the Eagle.
Guildford Station Circular via Watt’s Chapel (Surrey)
1h from Chichester, with one change.
13km. Moderate ascents. 3h30–6h.
Beginner-friendly: No coast or river to follow, but pretty straightforward long lines nonetheless, and Watt’s Chapel provides a lovely reward for reaching the midpoint of the circuit. The lunch stop is a simple café in the vicinity of Watt’s Chapel, so no messing around with booking a table in advance.
A rambler favourite!
Highlights: Watts Chapel, Watts Gallery, St Catherine's Chapel Ruins, and Guildford.
Lunch stop: Watts Gallery café (1h30–2h30 in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Withies Inn, Ye Olde Ship Inn, the Britannia, the White House, or the George Abbot.
Fishbourne Station Circular via Chichester Harbour (Sussex)
3m direct from Chichester.
Easy: 11km, flat terrain. 3h–5h.
Beginner-friendly: Just follow the coast and come back along a straight walk. It’s almost too simple! Flat, short and plenty of choices for lunch.
Chichester Harbour is a little-known National Landscape. Its protected saltmarsh landscape feeds an abundance of birdlife. It’s a major recreational harbour but somehow has a romantically melancholy and isolated air — you can imagine sea shanties being composed here.
Highlights: Chichester Harbour, Bosham, and Fishbourne Roman Palace & Gardens.
Lunch stops in Bosham (1h30–2h30 in): the Anchor Bleu, Timberley's, the Berkeley Arms, or Marwick's.
End-of-walk rewards: the Bull's Head Pub, or the Woolpack Inn.
Milford Station to Haslemere Station (Surrey)
45m from Chichester, with one change.
17km. Moderate ascents. 4h30–8h.
A rambler favourite! Remote heathland, pretty lakes, sandy bridleways, ancient woodland, heather and gorse commons, and a dramatic natural amphitheatre. Can be muddy.
Highlights: Devil's Punch Bowl.
Lunch: Nowhere to eat en route — pack lunch!
End-of-walk reward: the Harper's Steakhouse.
Farnham Station to Godalming Station (Surrey)
1h from Chichester, with one change.
Tough: 22km. Moderate ascents. 6h–10h.
A rambler favourite! River valley, forest tracks, sandy bridleways, open parkland, country houses, and wooded valleys. Can be muddy.
Lunch stop: the Barley Mow, Tilford Green (2h30–4h in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Cyder House Inn, the Rose and Crown, the Richmond Arms, the Fox & Finch, or the Star.
Liphook Station to Haslemere Station (Hampshire)
45m from Chichester, with one change.
Tough: steep ascents. 15km. 4h–7h.
Mixed oak, beech and chestnut woods, bridleways, streams, open countryside, horse paddocks, and a final climb into a market town. Can be muddy.
Lunch stops in Fernhurst (2h30–4h in): the Red Lion Pub, or the Fern Café.
End-of-walk reward: the Harper's Steakhouse.
Netley Station to Botley Station (Hampshire)
45m from Chichester, with one change.
18km. Gentle ascents. 5h–8h.
Coastal country park, stony beach, light woodland, mudflats, riverside causeway with marinas, open farmland, and village lanes. Check tide timings.
Lunch stops: the Harpers Steakhouse (2h30–4h30 in), Little Canton (3h–5h in), or the Jolly Sailor (3h–5h in).
End-of-walk rewards: Manor Farm Café, the Dolphin, the Brewery Bar, or the Railway.
Wanborough Station to Godalming Station (Surrey)
1h from Chichester, with one change.
12km. Moderate ascents. 3h30–6h.
Open fields, North Downs ridge, vineyard, golf course, mixed woodland, riverside path along the River Wey, and historic market town. Can be muddy.
Highlights: Guildford.
Lunch stops: the Tea Shop (1h30–2h in), or the Withies Inn (2h–3h in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Star, the Fox & Finch, or the Richmond Arms.
Gomshall Station to Guildford Station (Surrey)
1h from Chichester, with one change.
16km. Gentle ascents. 4h–7h.
Fields, wooded valley, pine woods, heathland common, stud farms, and canal and riverside path into a historic town. Can be muddy.
Highlights: Shere and Guildford.
Lunch stops in Shere (30m–1h in): the Dabbling Duck Café (excellent), Hillys Tea Shop, or the William Bray. Other lunch stop: the William IV (1h–1h30 in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Britannia, the White House, or the George Abbot.
Goring-by-Sea Station to Worthing Station (Sussex)
30m direct from Chichester.
Tough: steep ascents. 19km. 5h30–9h.
Highlights: Highdown Gardens and Cissbury Ring Hill Fort.
Lunch stops: the Black Horse (3h–5h in), or the Gun Inn (3h–5h in).
Hassocks Station Circular via Ditchling Beacon (Sussex)
1h from Chichester, with one change.
Tough: steep ascents. 17km. 5h–8h30.
Quaint village, woods, and hilly. Can be muddy.
Highlights: Ditchling.
Lunch stops in Ditchling (1h–1h30 in): the White Horse, the Nutmeg Tree, or Ditchling Village. Other lunch stop: the Jack & Jill (3h–5h in).
End-of-walk reward: the Hassocks.
Petersfield Station to Liphook Station (Hampshire)
30m from Chichester, with one change.
20km. Moderate ascents. 5h30.
Woodland paths.