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Bignor Hill

7 miles (11.2 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap This walk or cycle climbs to Bignor Hill from the village of Amberley in West Sussex. It's a moderate climb of about 3.5 miles, following the South Downs Way for the duration of the route. It's a good path which is also suitable for cycling. If you prefer a shorter walk then you could park at the car park just half a mile west of the hill, and start your climb from there.
This route starts off from Amberley train station, following a section of the River Arun out of the village. The waymarked path then heads west, past Coombe Wood before skirting the northern edge of Houghton Forest. You then climb past Bury Hill and Westburton Hill before arriving at the Bignor Hill summit. At over 700ft the hill commands wonderful views over the South Downs to the coast.
To extend the walk you could follow the Monarch's Way south west along the Stane Street Roman Road to visit Eartham Woods. To turn it into a circular route you could head south east into Houghton Forest and return on the woodland trails to the village.
You could also explore the countryside around the village on our Amberley Circular Walk.

Bignor Hill OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Bignor Hill Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

The walk passes close to the George & Dragon pub at Houghton. The ancient pub is one of the oldest in Sussex dating all the way back to the 13th century. It proudly boasts that King Charles II stopped here in 1651 when fleeing the country after his defeat at the Battle of Worcester.
The pub serves good quality food and includes a lovely garden area with views of the Sussex Downs.
You can find them near the start of the walk at Houghton Bridge with a postcode of BN18 9LW for your sat navs.

Dog Walking

The hill and woods make for a fine walk for fit dogs. The George and Dragon mentioned above is also dog friendly.

Photos

Bignor Hill - geograph.org.uk - 236552

A late summer view of Bignor Hill from Glatting Beacon.

South Downs Way on Bignor Hill - geograph.org.uk - 1004860

South Downs Way on Bignor Hill

View from Bignor Hill - geograph.org.uk - 236555

View from Bignor Hill. The featureless flat land to the left are Amberley Wild Brooks which is just beyond the River Arun whose meanders can just be made out. The village of Amberley can be traced by the trees around the centre. The northern esarpment of the South Downs can be followed with both Chanctonbury and Cissbury Rings visible.

South Downs Way, Bignor Hill - geograph.org.uk - 236554

South Downs Way, Bignor Hill. Looking towards the peak from the eastern side.

The South Downs Way ascending Bignor Hill - geograph.org.uk - 2749065

The path view if ascending from the west.

Footpath from Bignor Hill towards Westburton Hill - geograph.org.uk - 2545775

Footpath from Bignor Hill towards Westburton Hill

South Downs Way in Egg Bottom Coppice - geograph.org.uk - 2421086

South Downs Way in Egg Bottom Coppice

South Downs Way near Wesburton Hill - geograph.org.uk - 3941977

Near Wesburton Hill

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Bignor Hill.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Bignor Hill.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)