Walks near Horsham by train

A day hike in the countryside is just a simple train journey away — explore the most charmingly located railway stations near Horsham and plan your next day of green.

Alternatively, view walks directly from Horsham.

Fishbourne Circular via Chichester Harbour (Sussex)

45 minutes direct from Horsham.

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.

Coastal: three fifths along the coast.

Chichester Harbour

Bosham

Fishbourne Roman Palace & Gardens

Time: 3h–6h

4 lunch spots: Bosham (1h30–3h in) — the Anchor Bleu, Timberley's, the Berkeley Arms, or Marwick's

2 end-of-walk rewards: the Bull's Head Pub, or the Woolpack Inn

Adapted from: The Rough Guide to Walks in London & the South East (3rd edition).

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Flat

Amberley to Arundel (Sussex)

30 minutes direct from Horsham.

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).

Waterway: nine tenths along the River Arun.

Arundel Castle

Arundel

Time: 3h30–7h

1 lunch spot: the George (1h30–3h30 in)

1 end-of-walk reward: the Eagle

Adapted from: The Rough Guide to Walks in London & the South East (3rd edition).

Similar walk: the Saturday Walkers Club.

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Gentle

Balcombe Circular via Nymans (Sussex)

30 minutes from Horsham, with one change.

Highly recommended: Fields, woods, stream valleys, grassy hillsides, estate parkland, a fine old village and stately home. Mostly secluded.

Woodland: half under tree cover.

Nymans

The Ruins of Slaugham Place

Time: 4h30–8h30

3 lunch spots: Handcross (2h–3h30 in) — Nymans café, the Red Lion, or JO.CO cafe

1 end-of-walk reward: the Victory

Warnings: Can be muddy.

Adapted from: Time Out Country Walks Volume 1.

Similar walk: the Saturday Walkers Club.

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Rolling

Gomshall Circular via Shere (Surrey)

1 hour from Horsham, with one change.

Highly recommended: Extensive woodland.

Woodland: two fifths under tree cover.

Saint James's Church: see the remains of where a devout anchorite was encased within the church walls.

Shere

Time: 3h–6h

7 lunch spots: Shere (1h–1h30 in) — the Dabbling Duck Café (excellent), the William Bray, Hillys Tea Shop, or the White Horse; plus the Drummond Arms (1h–2h in), Mandira's Kitchen at Silent Pool (1h–2h30 in), or Carb Up and Go (1h30–3h30 in)

2 end-of-walk rewards: the Compasses Inn, or the Gomshall Mill

Warnings: Can be muddy.

Adapted from: The Rough Guide to Walks in London & the South East (3rd edition).

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Steep

Amberley to Shoreham-by-Sea (Sussex)

30 minutes direct from Horsham.

Highly recommended: Open chalk ridge, South Downs escarpment, wide well-marked paths, exposed hilltops, riverside estuary path and suburban road walking near finish.

Hilly: half on high ground, rising above the surrounding land.

Time: 8h–15h30

1 lunch spot: Columba's Kitchen (4h–8h in)

2 end-of-walk rewards: the Buckingham Arms, or the Crabtree

Warnings: Very exposed in wind.

Source: Trains2Green.

Similar walk: the Saturday Walkers Club.

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Steep

Dorking to Box Hill & Westhumble (Surrey)

30 minutes direct from Horsham.

Highly recommended: Vineyard, wooded hills, chalk downland, open grassland, Mole valley views and North Downs.

Hilly: two fifths on high ground, rising above the surrounding land.

Woodland: half under tree cover.

Time: 4h–8h30

3 lunch spots: Mickleham (2h30–4h30 in) — the Running Horses, or the King William IV; plus Wild About Coffee at Norbury Park (1h30–3h in)

2 end-of-walk rewards: Box Hill Café, or the Stepping Stones

Warnings: Can be muddy.

Source: Trains2Green.

Similar walk: the Saturday Walkers Club.

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Steep

Lewes to Southease (Sussex)

1 hour from Horsham, with one change.

Highly recommended: Escarpments, three distinct downland ridges, wide open chalk paths, panoramic views, historic town streets and gentle valleys.

Hilly: a third on high ground, rising above the surrounding land.

Lewes

Time: 4h30–9h

2 lunch spots: the Trevor Arms (1h30–3h30 in), or the Ram Inn, Firle (2h30–5h in)

1 end-of-walk reward: Courtyard Café at YHA Southease Hostel

Adapted from: The Rough Guide to Walks in London & the South East (3rd edition).

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Steep

Woldingham to Oxted (Surrey)

1 hour from Horsham, with one change.

Highly recommended: North Downs woodland ridge, open chalk downland, M25 crossing, village green, Greensand Way farmland, small settlements and ancient churchyards.

Woodland: a quarter under tree cover.

Time: 4h–7h30

4 lunch spots: Godstone (2h–4h in) — the Hare & Hounds, the Old Forge Deli, the White Hart, or the Bell

1 end-of-walk reward: the Oxted Inn

Warnings: Chalk paths can be slippery.

Source: Trains2Green.

Similar walk: the Saturday Walkers Club.

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Rolling