Todham Rough Walk

Recently I was intrigued by a comment on a Twitter thread regarding an old railway bridge close to the Serpent Trail and the New Lipcus Way on Todham Rough.

it’s kind of forlorn just standing in the trees alone with no real purpose any more.
@a_rambling_man

When I looked further at the railway bridge in question, I discovered that I had walked over it twice and walked within three metres of it and never realised it was there. Therefore, it was time to put this right and arrange a walk specifically to take me back over this bridge.

One major attraction of this route is that there are no styles or gates to negotiate, therefore it is accessible to all terrain wheelchairs.

Start: Grange Road Car Park Midhurst SU 8852 2124
Finish: Grange Road Car Park Midhurst SU 8852 2124
Distance: 5.25 miles
Ascent: 416 feet
Duration: 1hr 59min
OS Map Required: OL8 Chichester & OL10 Arundel & Pulborough
Public Transport: Bus to Midhurst from Petersfield & Chichester mainline Railway Stations

Take the footpath out of the carpark that leads around South Pond to the main road. Turn left and walk for 20m then cross the road and proceed down The Wharf to the bridge on the right. From this point follow the waymarked signs for the New Lipcus Way.

After a mile you will re-join a road for a few metres before taking the waymarked path on the right-hand side. Follow this for a further mile where you will come upon a T Junction – turn right and the abandoned railway bridge is 10 metres in front of you. This is an ideal spot to make your first stop for refreshment and photos.

Just across the bridge you are met with a track coming in from the left, however, you need to proceed ahead along what is now the waymarked way from the New Lipcus Way and the Serpent Trail. This path takes you through the western extension of Heyshott Common as far as Walkers Farm where you join a metaled road. Continue through Dunford Hollow following the Serpent Trail until you reach the turning for the BUPA Pendean House Care Home.

Take the footpath to the left of the driveway and follow until you join the road. Turn right and proceed along the road as far as Oaklands where you turn left through West Lavington and left at the T-Junction. Continue into Midhurst, turning right at the main road for 20 metres until you reach the South Pond again. Follow the path back into Grange Road car park.

Midhurst is a beautiful rural town with plenty of cafes, pubs and shops. It is served by a Bus Station at the north end of the town opposite the South Downs National Park headquarters and shop. Car parking is cheap, at the time I did this walk, 3 hours in the Grange Road Car Park cost 80p, free on Sundays.