We did this as an 'out-and-back' from our static caravan but busses will get you to the start, finish or possibly the midpoint to shorten the walk........Woodmancote is a sleepy village just a couple of miles from the larger 'village' of Henfield. Bus 100 and bus 17 stop near the turning to Shoreham and Lower Beeding on the A281. Walk down the Shoreham road for 100 yards and fork left into Bramlands Lane, a small lane passing houses mainly on the left. As the lane takes a sharp left go straight on down a well made bridleway for several hundred yards before the track turns left. Here there is a footpath straight on over a footbridge and a fast flowing chalk stream. When we walked this route, just over the bridge there were several alpacas in the field behind an electric fence. Now its basically straight on following the footpath over fields with stunning views of the Southdowns in front of you until you go across a concrete farm track where you take the bridleway again almost straight ahead. Once again just head straight on towards the downs that you will be climbing in 15 minutes or so! There is a wiggle at the end of a field, right for 100 yards and then left, keeping to the bridleway and not taking other footpaths. Left again and heading for the downs before going along a rather nice drive and gate of someones not-so-private house! Coming out onto a road you will see a bridleway almost straight ahead and this is where the land starts to seriously incline. There are 2 choices after a few yards. One seems to the right is short but seems impossibly steep the other to the left winds around and through the trees before it too becomes steep. Take your pick, I would go for the right with a short 'mountain' to scramble up and save the gentler route for when you come back down later in the day. It's just a haul now with frequent pauses to look back at the views of the Weald and the North Downs beyond. On reaching the top you join the Southdowns Way at Fulking Escarpment where a stop is needed to take in the first view of the sea. From here it is the SDW for much of the way. Today was a 'traffic' day as it was a fine weekend and there seemed to be some sort of ad-hoc biking event. I chatted to a guy who was walking his bike after he had failed to make the ascent at Truleigh Hill and he was with a friend who also failed! They had a good reason as they were over half way from Winchester on the 100, or so, mile ride to Eastbourne.........not in one go like some of the extreme riders, but nevertheless it's not easy even in 3 stages. The YHA was open for take-outs and quite good business it was doing with all the outdoor seats occupied. We vowed to stop off on our return journey as we had a roast dinner booked in Bramber at 2pm so no time to dally.With track turning into a made-up road for the next mile there was no need to look at your feet so just take in the views of the sparkling sea and the downs ahead with the stunning Shoreham College and the less stunning, lime-pit chimney to distract you. The SDW takes a right fork through the gate by the information board and a cunningly placed seat to take in the view of the River Adur below or if you are coming the other way, to take a breather! The way ahead is on a grassy slope with a beautiful deep-bowl to your left as you pass through another gate and decide which of the 2 or 3 ruts downwards you will take. This decision is often made for you as an approaching bike from behind or in front is trying not to take the narrowest rut in fear of catching the pedal and doing a somersault......yes we have experienced this! The most 'dangerous' part of todays walk is at the road crossing where surely a pedestrian crossing, at the very least, should be installed. The traffic at times is non-stop and the volume of people with large packs, bikes, horses especially at weekends, must surely warrant a push-button traffic light? We see a break and go for it crossing where the SDW points and down to the footbridge passing a fresh water point and seat. The Adur is tidal here and it could be just a trickle or a full bore pushing in or sucking out! At the 2 or so hour mid-point it's great for kayaks and paddle boards but just beware that when it turns.........next stop, France! The SWD joins with the Downs Link here so there will be more bikes, joggers, dog walkers and hikers. Just a few hundred yards and the 2 great paths separate away from the riverbank footpath that is our route today. Follow the path under the road bridge and up to the next road crossing at Bramber. Take the stepped path up onto the pavement and turn left through the pretty village until it becomes semi pedestrianised. Here is the Castle Hotel where we are booked for Lunch. If you wish to shorten your day you have choice to take the bus number 100 back to Bramlands Lane that goes via Henfield so don't panic as it turns round at the end of Henfield and retraces its steps before heading off in the right direction. Choice number 2 is....the Number 2 bus back to Brighton. Much more frequent and perhaps a little quicker than connecting with the 17 and back to Brighton.
The return trip starts by heading out of Bramber, passing or visiting the ruins of the castle and passing the Old Tollgate Hotel before reaching the roundabout. Just at this point the Downs Link path guides you left to a well made up track running beside the main road. Keep to this track and not be tempted to cross the road at any point. The track winds across marshland before reaching the river and back right on your path beside the full or empty flow. On reaching the footbridge continue across and take the SDW, not the Downs Link. You will remember your busy road crossing a few hours ago, it's the same, just as busy, but in reverse. Its now a slog up the rutted SDW and uphill all the way until a well earned break at the YHA. Coffee, cake or whatever is currently on the menu, to set you up and off for the last uphill past the masts before retracing your steps to the crossing-ways and back down the steep escarpment, crossing the lane and into the house drive. It is just a question of following in your footsteps all the way back into Bramlands Lane and back up to the main road to pick up the 17 to Henfield or Horsham on this side of the road or the 17 to Brighton on the far side of the road. Bus 100 this side of the road is to Burgess Hill or the far side it takes a direct route to Henfield then a convoluted journey to Steyning, Washington, Storrington, Pulborough and eventually............Horsham. Good luck and check the timetables thoroughly otherwise an expensive taxi-fare will be inevitable! ( unless good friends are available)