Guildford has the good fortune to be at the nexus of several long-distance, off-road routes, West to Winchester, east to Canterbury and Dover and south to Shoreham and the sea. The Shoreham route has the advantage of utilizing the former railway track and is thus eminently suitable for cyclists as well as walkers with its shallow gradients and firmly-bedded ground. The route, ostensibly known as the Downs Link, connects the North Downs Way at St Martha’s Hill to the South Downs Way near Steyning but for cyclists the more logical route is to start in Guildford and finish in Shoreham.
The 74 mile round trip is feasible in a day for the committed cyclist, but for the more mature among us a 2 or 3 stage itinerary is more practical, allowing for plentiful stops for refreshment and a decent pub lunch. Oldgreytravel opted for a 3 stage trip and used the car to transport the bikes to suitable staging posts along the way. Each stage involved around 25 miles round trip.
Stage 1 -the logical start is the riverside cycle path from Guildford which picks up the formal Downs Link route by the A281 just south of Shalford. However, if driving you may find it more convenient to park at the A281 junction where there is a large parking layby and no parking charges. The going is easy through Bramley and then open countryside to Cranleigh and beyond to the small village of Slinfold. Lunch at the Red Lyon in Slinfold and then return.
Stage 2 – Slinfold to Partridge Green is more rural with the route merely skirting Horsham and Christ’s Hospital School. Again, the going is good and flat with only a minor diversion off the railway line before Horsham. Lunch at the Windmill Inn at Littleworth, just north of Partridge Green.
Stage 3 – Partridge Green to Shoreham is a bit more demanding with some short climbs and on- road sections. The first part is easy-going through a largely rural landscape. Just south of Henfield is a café hut in a field with great cakes and coffee and expansive views towards the South Downs. If the A board is out, it is open. The route closely follows that of the River Adur which is tidal for a surprisingly long distance inland. About one mile south of Henfield, the route crosses the river (again) where walkers have the option to follow the banks of the Adur all the way to Shoreham. Cyclists have to continue along the Downs Link and then navigate narrow, but quiet, lanes through to Steyning and beyond before picking up the cycle path, which then follows the river, through increasing signs of urban activity, all the way to the sea at Shoreham. Continue through Shoreham to the combined foot/cycle bridge over the river and then straight on until you reach the large shingle beach. If necessary, dip your feet in the sea. There are plenty of places to eat in Shoreham, Oldgreytravel chose the riverfront terrace of the Crown and Anchor. Alternatively, take-away fish and chips on the beach would seem an appropriate end to the journey
