In fact with many guests coming to stay specifically for the purpose of walking trips, the Chequers Hotel in Pulborough is the perfect place to use as a base for beautiful walks - right on its doorstep combined with the host of other local attractions that the area has to offer! For those that would like to take the train to arrive at Chequers or to go to some of the attractions in neighboring towns, even the 5 minute walk to Pulborough Railway Station provides a scenic route.
Pulborough Railway Station - 5 minutes walk from Chequers Hotel
Chequers Hotel Pulborough.
Chequers is nestling at the foot of the Downs and within a very short distance from the South Downs Way, as well as other public footpaths and bridleways so we have been ticking off the following routes in our bid to get healthy whilst enjoying the amazing scenery in this area of outstanding natural beauty!
Through the field at the front of Chequers
Walks include:
South Downs National Park
www.southdowns.gov.uk
South Downs Way
www.southdownsway.co.uk
Local walks - History Walk, Woodland Walk, Brooks Walk
www.visitpulborough.com
Pulborough Brooks - with enchanting views of deer, wild birds, owls, bewick swans, wild geese, water voles and more!
http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/p/pulboroughbrooks/
We have the following book at the Hotel for guests to get even more inspiration on local sussex walks:
http://shop.theaa.com/store/south-east/sussex-aa-50-walks-in-paperback
Pulborough Brooks
And for the more adventurous we have discovered a great route to Canoe from Pulborough to Arundel and enjoy the spectacular sights:
Canoe from Pulborough to Arundel
For those interested here is a Trail Description:
Heading downstream, there is quiet countryside, and two nature reserves, first Pulborough Brooks, and then Amberley Wild Brooks, both great for seeing wading birds. The bridge after two miles is Greatham Bridge, (possible landing here, parking on west bank), with the village of Coldwaltham to the right. The Wey – South Downs long distance footpath follows the river closely until Houghton, where it joins the east-west South Downs Way. The river passes under the railway, and then there is a possible landing at Bury, at an old ferry landing near the church, but no parking.
The halfway point is Amberley (the bridge called Houghton Bridge, after the larger village to the right). Only parking is by permission of one of the businesses here, and the bridge approaches do not offer any landing or parking, the small B2139 being very busy and dangerous.
Amberely is very obvious – a nice bridge, and a high chalk escarpment on the left side, visible for miles. Houghton has the Amberley Chalk pits museum, a relic of former industry here.
After Houghton, the well-wooded Arundel park is present all down the right bank (landing and camping not encouraged), and after South Stoke on the right, the river splits at a railway bridge, the longer arm going left via Burpham, the right taking a shorter route alongside the railway, and under Offham Bridge. After the two re-join is a possible egress at the Black Rabbit Inn on the right, on a minor road from Arundel.
The major interest after this, to the right of a large river loop, is the Arundel Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Reserve.
Arundel with its castle and cathedral is then very obvious on the right, and the river loops into town. The formal egress point is beyond the bridge at a floating pontoon on the right bank, for which canoeists are expected to pay (by phoning up the Harbourmaster in advance), egress on to the pavement being by a low metal gate, usually locked. Alternative egress can be difficult, over stone riveting which can be muddy and slippery.
Arundel: a beautiful historic town is a fitting end (with a multitude of fantastic cream tea houses) for a well deserved treat to finish this exciting trip.
Go Canoeing!
http://www.gocanoeing.org.uk/go/index.cfm/activity-search/activity-detail/?oid=30&type=trail
