Midhurst is a charming West Sussex town in the Heart of the South Downs National Park. With castle ruins, historic buildings and waterways, a local museum, the South Downs visitor centre and lovely shops and places to eat and drink, this walk is a great way to explore the town.
- To start pass through the gate near the toilets and entrance to North Street Car Park. Follow the flat, straight, compacted stone path towards the castle. The path crosses a small bridge over a ditch.
- Just before the larger bridge over the stream, turn right onto the mud path. Follow the path through a large kissing gate.
- Bear left to the lower path alongside the water. (Or bear right to Midhurst Castle – the mud path heads up 48 uneven steps. Pass the castle site, then through the gate to St. Anne’s Hill and cross the square to rejoin the route on Church Hill. This uphill alternative shortens the route by 310 metres.)
- Head towards the small bridge. (Or turn right to Midhurst Castle – the compacted uphill mud path is uneven in places. Bear left to pass through the gate to St. Anne’s Hill and cross the square to rejoin the route on Church Hill. This uphill alternative shortens the route by 260 metres.)
- Just before the small bridge turn right onto The Wharf and continue to South Street.
- Cross the road to South Pond which has lovely places to sit. (It is possible to walk around the pond, on paved and gravel paths, this will add 330 metres to the route.) From the pond head uphill towards the town, pass the Spread Eagle Hotel, onto Red Lion Street, then Church Hill.
- Cross to the right-hand side of the road before it bends to the left at Knockhundred Row as the pavement becomes very narrow. Continue to North Street.
- Turn right onto North Street and head through the town.
- Turn right before the bus station back to the car park entrance.
