Billingshurst to Amberley via Wey South Path, Local

The siren call of completing the southern section of the Wey South path was calling...  After doing the northern section with the recent van appointment at the garage, it was time to add in the final part of this jigsaw. The aim was to park near to the station in Billi and walk down to Amberley then catch the train back.

The route started at the playing fields just next to the dump, leaving the van and picking up a path behind the fishing lake across to the canal then following it to the end.

Outside the recreation grounds area, the path crossed a number of fields before coming out onto Rowner lane. We then followed this to the junction of the A272, before leaping across the traffic to get to Lordings road for a short distance to the Limeburners inn.

Relieved to drop out of the early morning traffic, by turning down the driveway to Guildenhurst manor, and picking up a path through the fields to Streele farm.

After some grassy lanes we surprisingly popped out at a lake, and a boat house

Followign hte side of the lake and around the end we were back into fields beside the river Arun.  a short climb through some woods and we were in a recently harvested corn field, that led down to the canal.

A short diversion, the wrong way, to Lording's lock where a work party were just coming to have a look at the the water wheel, and we were ready to start the journey south down the canal.

A fortunate misdirection from Lordings took us down the river, where we had a good sight of the weir, before we had to negotiate a locked gate - Bertie manhandled over, then on to the subsequent "turf" lock with strange rubber paddle gates.

Now on a "proper" tow path we followed the canal down to Harsfold bridge (last time we had been here, they were repairing/ strengthening it), now it was all clean and tidy, and even had some water for Bertie to take a dip.

The repairs had also tidied up the tow path south up to a new fence and stile. After this the path followed the tow path as it continued on before the next section where it would leave and become more complex.

At Haybarn, a swing bridge takes the path over the canal and down beside a huge barn away from the canal  

This next section is a real connived route weaving through footpaths away from the canal as it wound through Pallingham manor ruins. 

Starting off down a farm track before crossing the dried up canal on a hump back bridge before entering grass fields.

A green lane down the side of the field leads to an old iron works cottage, and continues beside it parallel but away from the canal

With the canal and river turning away below, we continued on a large loop away around private land.

After climbing up a curved pasture field, the track entered an elongated wooded copse between fields which was followed to the back road from Wisborough Green 

Now, along the road (taking notice of the sign on the barn about owls), climbing slightly.

At the top of the slope, we turned down what looked like a private drive, without much signage, eventually opening out as it dropped to the river. On the opposite slope the Toat monument could be seen standing proud of the skyline

Crossing the river on two bridges, before crossing the canal at Pallingham bridge - one more Bertie took the opportunity to cool off in the puddle underneath.

This is the end of the canal as a distinct entity, as it would originally have joined the Arun river just beyond here, but badly overgrown, and hardly visible

The route follows several farm tracks from the bridge as it headed south away from, however roughly parallel to, the river

Coming out on the minor road that cut up the hill to Coombelands racing stables and gallops - behind the hedge. Fortunately there was a footpath down the side of the training area, which offered some respite from the road

The views to the South Downs opened out from the gallops as we could see from Chanctonbury ring at the Eastern side across to the gap at Amberley.

Back on the road again after the gallops, before turning up the drive to Park Farm...  to the East were views of Pulborough church across the fields.

We however cut west and up the side of Park mound and down the side of the woods as we dropped down to the river once more

views again of the South Downs and the sight of what was yet to come.

Eventually dropping down to the A283 at the White Hart pub and the old bridge.

We paused here for a bite to eat and drink on the side of the river

there was a small parking area where the old road joined the A283, opposite the garden centre, which I noted for potential use in the future.

then across into the riverside wetlands, and rustling grasses

over a narrow footbridge, and into pasture fields on the other side. This was the start f a cut across the bends in the river and picking up the route where the original canal had an extension to cut the loop and included a tunnel 

The Northern entrance to the tunnel was now removed under a pumping station and NFU office. The path wound through this estate, and down a short section of disused railway - this is the same one that goes along the bottom of the South downs and ends up in Petersfield (including the B&B in carriages at Coultershaw we had previously stayed at).

Across a field to a bridge over the modern mainline - the one we would return on)

The bridge then across the busy A29 and down to the southern entrance to the tunnel - now very overgrown.

From here we followed a path that would be the tow path to the extension of the canal hidden under the overgrown woodland.

A zigzag over the river at Greatham Bridge and the start of the final section across Amberley Wild brooks.

A short section beside the river, before following farm tracks past numerous farm buildings

the South downs beyond the flat wet lands appeared as we came out of the wooded area, and across into the brooks.

From here it was flat and almost straight south to Amberley through the brooks

The first sight of the village and he castle ...  from this side you do need to know where it is to know where it is and it is not a normal wall/ house.

Up into the village, and then to complete the route, we dragged ourselves up the hill to meet the South Downs Way on High Titten. If I ever did this again I would follow the B2139 road around the bottom, without the climb.

The last section to the station past the museum, just in time to see the train leave ... we had missed it by 5 minutes - it would be another hour until the next one.

Time for a long sit down and the remains of lunch and coffee.

That was it ... the final section of the Wey South path ...  now just the train back to Billi - Bertie's first time on one - a little nervous at first, but soon settled down. Luckily there were not many people on the train and we had a whole half section to ourselves.

At Billingshurst we left the station and headed up the road past the school, before cutting across to the church

Across the main road and then weaving past the library and continuing almost to the bypass, before discovering a path on top of the cutting bank leading around to the footbridge.

Back in the car park and over to the van ...  a long but satisfying day - some contrived bits and especially the ones on straight roads or tracks with limited views beyond hedges. I am not sure I will do the Brooks bit again, but the Pulborough to Billi bit has opportunities.