Date: Fri 16 May
Start: Langham Brewery, Langham Lane, Lodsworth. GU28 9BU
Start Time: 10.00
Distance: Approx 7 miles (option for shorter walk)
Terrain: Undulating, not challenging
Sign up through Eventbrite HERE
Mark your diaries for a special linear walk from the brewery this May – expertly crafted to your taste, just like a Langham’s beer!
Since this is a linear walk, we start by taking the No.1 bus from Midhurst to Worthing, traveling only as far as Fittleworth. We dare not go any further – Fittleworth sits right on the border of the Western Weald, and who knows what might happen if we crossed it! Our actual destination is Fittleworth House and Gardens, just a short walk from the bus stop.
Fittleworth House is a privately owned Georgian estate, set within beautifully landscaped gardens that blend formal planting with ancient trees and wildflower meadows. Typically open to the public each summer as part of the National Garden Scheme, the gardens provide a peaceful retreat with breathtaking countryside views – a true hidden gem for nature lovers and history enthusiasts alike. However, on Friday, 16 May, we’ll have the privilege of enjoying this tranquil space all to ourselves.
Images: Mark Saunders – Racing & Green
After lunch, we begin our walk back to the brewery, crossing open fields, descending sunken lanes, passing spring-fed ponds, and winding through the charming villages of Little Bognor and Byworth. Our route into historic Petworth also follows the rim of the Shimmings Valley, which offers a stunning view.
This section of the walk is 3.5 miles. In Petworth you have the option to catch the bus back to the brewery or continue on foot. For those keen to extend the adventure, a further 4-mile route leads through the sweeping landscape of Petworth Park and Upperton Common, before eventually returning to Lodsworth.
However you choose to end your journey, one thing is certain – a well-earned Langham beer will be waiting for you!
COSTS: £5 NGS fee for the garden (payable on booking) & bus ticket (£3 one way on the day)
PS….If you love craft ale and would like to understand a little more about how it’s done, Langham offer a guided tour and tasting of their 10 barrel steam-heated brewery. You can find out more here. Also, for the budding brewer or beer connoisseur there is a Brew Day Experience
Rural Strides
Rural Strides is driven by a passion for the geology, history, and cultural landscape of the Western Weald. Through immersive walks that bring the land to life with stories and local insights, I aim to deepen your connection to this remarkable countryside and the inspiring businesses I partner with.
My walks offer more than just a journey—they provide an authentic and memorable experience, leaving you with a true sense of place. By the end, I hope you’ll not only feel enriched by the landscape but also like a local yourself.
