Downs Link
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles34 reviews
Excellent
25
Very good
8
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0

NSWD
Norwich, UK144 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Couples
A great time exploring this footpath / cycleway around West Grinstead and Partridge Green.
A well maintained, level surface.
Written 25 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Peter S
Rome, Italy3,953 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022
Review of Downs Link at Rudgwick in West Sussex

Lean out over the rail bridge on Church Street in Rudgwick Village and there below are the remains of the railway that once was – a cutting covered by trees - little more than 100 years in the life and times of people who lived in this part of rural Sussex/Surrey during this particular transport revolution. The railway transformed their society – relegating the once dominant horse and cart to that of feeder role. Freight and people shifted to the trains, and only the poor continued to walk long-distance to and from the local market towns.
The trains arrived in 1865 to connect Rudgwick with the world. They remained supreme for >60 years before the catastrophe of WW1. This was followed by the arrival of the internal combustion engine everywhere, and road transport began to seriously challenge the dominance of the railways. Public buses and commercial trucks quickly arrived, followed by the novelty of the private motor car.
The road/rail bridge in Rudgwick continues to handle road vehicles but, take the steps down one side of the structure to where the rail line used to be and note the extensive cracks in the masonry of the arch. Remedial cross-bracing beneath the road has been added to stabilise the structure and, equally, the road over the bridge has been restricted to single lane to limit loading. This is a fair track record for a 160-year-old Victorian design/construction that has largely out-lived its original purpose. Elsewhere along the defunct rail line, similar bridges – particularly in rural areas - have been demolished.
Beneath the bridge is the Downs Link foot trail/cycleway/bridle path – the transformation of the railway that once was – opening new country for recreational use for those prepared to wander away from their road vehicles. These are the new ‘country lanes’ that substitute for the original network of just 40 years ago - which are now dominated by the agricultural tractor and motor car; such has been the impact of e-maps for road vehicles.
The Downs Link is a long-distance route for walkers, horse riders and cyclists which follows two disused railway lines. It crosses the Surrey Hills, the Low Weald, the South Downs and the Coastal Plain. Since the trains departed in the 1960s, the embankments and cuttings have become a green corridor for wildlife and people. The Downs Link was officially opened in 1984 and later extended, respectively, to Shoreham-by-Sea in 1995 and Guildford in 2006. It extends 60 km and crosses farmland, woodland and riverside.
We were in Rudgwick for a week – time in which to explore a small section of the Downs Link trail … choices, choices … to head north and explore the 330 m long Baynards Tunnel or south and take in the novel two bridges that changed the gradient of the rail line that once led into Rudgwick Station. We chose to head south and this, notwithstanding, the attraction of an ancient rail tunnel. South was an easy choice – in addition to the bridges - the Downs Link took us closer to ‘home’ - to where we were staying
Cross the A281 Guildford to Horsham Road heading south and the rail embankment rises metres above the surrounding country. Imagine the work that was undertaken to build a high rail bed of this kind – manual work that largely predated the sophistication of steam power. Dense tree cover on either side of the embankment today means that you cannot easily see the surrounding lands when walking. The banks, however, have remained stable.
At around 500 m south of the A281 the rail line crosses the River Arun. This is where the two bridges are located – a cast iron bridge constructed directly above the original single-arch brick bridge – an example of Victorian engineering at its most pragmatic. There’s a viewing platform to one side for the cognoscenti, and you can also scramble down to river level to catch the grandeur of the two bridges in the context of the narrow river valley.
The Downs Link connects into a web of footpaths that lead across country in all directions. Just 500 m south of the bridges we took the footpath that turned us north, tracked back alongside the Downs Link (which you could not see for the trees) and eventually led to unpaved Pensfold Lane and then to Naldretts Lane and other paved roads servicing local farming communities, and thence back to Rudgwick. There were a handful of isolated rural houses along the way – some left behind and/or in different states of repair, others sold/purchased and renovated.
There were few people walking or biking the Downs Link or local footpaths/lanes that day; in four hours or so we had, perhaps, met a dozen people. Half the bikkies were on e-bikes.

Peter Steele
14 October 2022
Written 15 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Clive R
Royal Tunbridge Wells, UK1,829 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022 • Couples
We stayed at a caravan site in Slinfold with instant access to the Downs Link. We cycled both north and south enjoying the countryside and villages on the route. There are a few tricky obstacles to navigate but nothing that should put you off navigating this wonderful track through this brilliant countryside. Highlights include the old stations at Christs Hospital and Baynards (see photos) and not forgetting the Firebird micro brewery at Rudgewick for a welcome beer…😎
Written 7 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

alacarte151
Chichester, UK172 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2021
Three of us started off from just outside Guildford at St Martha,s. Signage was somewhat poor and even with Sat Nav proved to be a tad challenging. Soon as we entered the Sussex stretch it was perfect. It was a great cycle along this lovely old railway route, regardless of the poor northern directions. Nothing too challenging at all.
Written 3 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

LiamP1234
Horsham, UK157 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2021
We love the downslink. Its great to have this so local. We use it for dog walks, family walks and cycling with friends.
There are plenbty of pubs if you want to stop and have dinner or a quick pint.
Written 18 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Matthew P
Brighton and Hove, UK759 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2020
I regularly cycle along various parts of this fantastic old railway line and yesterday I travelled the entire length which was amazing. Mostly flat with a steep and confusing stretch between Rudgwick and Cranleigh and from this point forth going North it became apparent that the signage, which had been excellent throughout the Sussex stretch, was now very poor and where existent was largely unmaintained. This made it a little more difficult to ensure I was on the right track and the directions around Cranleigh were almost non existent. This aside the route takes one through some amazing English countryside on what is an easy and pleasant bridle-path. Normally there's loads of places to stop for snacks etc but due to lock-down these were largely all closed down. Only exception is the Old Railway pub (formerly the Cat & Canary) in Henfield that has set up an outdoor takeaway facility in their large beer garden which is open 7 days a week. Excellent service in a lovely spot.
Written 17 May 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

butch808
Farnborough, UK46 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2019
This is absolute dream for cyclists its easy to get to the start (guildford) by train and straightforward to get back to the start by train from Brighton

In between is a smooth traffic free route with a some hills but nothing to steep,various points to eat and drink and the great destination Brighton and the Sea

we liked it so much we did it twice last year,it does need you to have an idea of the route as sometimes the signs are hard to see but the council website has a very good map and a download is available for GPX users

i can recommend this route to anyone who has rideen a bit before but it could be done by new riders as its very flat

A fast rider would complete in around 4 hours but allow 6 hours for everyone else
Written 14 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

alan2303
Shoreham-by-Sea, UK785 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2019 • Friends
Walked from St Nicolas Church by the Red Lion in Old Shoreham by the Tollbridge along the Downslink to the Castle Inn Bramber for a quick drink and pitstop before the return leg. Pleasant level walk though watch out for the cyclists who tend to complete the full trip to the end of this former rail link. Pleasant views across the Adur valley and the cement works thrown in for a bit of interest. Have completed this stretch many times throughout the seasons. Never dull.
Written 18 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Paul R
Epping, UK1,164 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2019 • Couples
We returned this year to ride the northern section from Southwater to Guildford. Due to the building of new housing estates, some of the routes are not as direct as you might expect from a disused railway line. Plus there is one very steep section that you need to be fit to ride up plus there is sometimes a need to keep a careful eye out for the direction markers.
It is 22 miles to Guildford which we easily did in just over 2 hours with loads of eateries or water holes near the link for refreshment.
Written 4 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Matthew P
Brighton and Hove, UK759 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2018 • Family
Basically the old line between Shoreham By Sea & Guildford was decommissioned and since the 1980's has become an official cycle route. I've cycled the entire route on several occasions and have to say as well as it being relatively flat, the route goes through some lovely English countryside. Mid route is the Bax Castle pub which is a welcome stop over point for those who want to recharge their batteries and grab a bite and a refreshing drink. I've always cycled from Guildford so it is also a downhill journey so going the other way would be a little tougher. For the avid cyclist there's also the option of a round trip but that would be almost 80 miles and take a good few hours.
Written 1 December 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Downs Link - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024) - Tripadvisor

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