Amberley and the Wild Brooks
West Sussex
The Wild Brooks are a flat expanse of seasonally flooded fen and meadow in the Arun Valley below Amberley, and the contrast they create with the chalk escarpment above the village makes this 7.6 km circuit one of the most landscape-varied walks in West Sussex. From the village, the South Downs Way climbs to the escarpment edge with views across the Arun Valley, before the route descends onto the Brooks and crosses the reserve on raised causeway paths.
The Brooks carry a smell unlike anywhere else in the county: reed, watermint, and the faint sulphurous trace of peat, rich and green in summer. Wading birds and wildfowl are present in large numbers, particularly in winter, so dogs should be under close control on the raised paths through the reserve where snipe and lapwing flush easily. The chalk descent from Amberley is firm and the scarp-edge views are excellent. Valley paths can be partially flooded between November and April — check conditions before visiting in winter.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 7.6 km (4.7 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 2 hr 45 min
- Walk Type
- Peak, River, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- The Sportsman pub in Amberley welcomes dogs; Amberley Museum and Heritage Centre nearby
- Parking
- Roadside parking in Amberley village, BN18 9ND
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Amberley and the Wild Brooks dog friendly?
Yes, this is a great walk to do with a dog. The Sportsman pub in Amberley welcomes dogs, and the 7.6 km circuit takes in both the chalk escarpment above the village and the fenland of the Wild Brooks below, giving plenty of varied terrain to explore together.
Can dogs be off lead at Amberley and the Wild Brooks?
Dogs should be kept under close control on the raised causeway paths through the Wild Brooks reserve, where wading birds like snipe and lapwing are present in large numbers and flush easily. The chalk escarpment section above the village offers firmer, more open ground where there may be more flexibility, but the wildlife-rich nature of the reserve means a lead is the sensible default for much of this walk.
What should I know before visiting Amberley and the Wild Brooks with my dog?
The valley paths through the Wild Brooks can be partially flooded between November and April, so it's worth checking conditions before a winter visit. Wading birds and wildfowl are particularly numerous in winter, which makes the reserve especially rewarding to walk through , but also means keeping your dog close is especially important during those months. Parking is roadside in Amberley village (BN18 9ND), and The Sportsman pub is a good dog-friendly stop after the walk.
What’s Nearby?
Walk1 mi awaySouth Downs Way: Amberley to Houghton
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A dog friendly South Downs Way short stretch from the chalk village of Amberley over the Arun crossing to the watercress beds at Houghton, returning along the river or by train.
Walk2.1 mi awayCissbury Ring
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A short loop around one of Sussex's finest Iron Age hillforts with wide downland views and a sense of history underfoot.
Walk2.4 mi awayChanctonbury Ring
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A punchy climb to a distinctive hilltop beech ring with atmospheric views, short enough for an evening walk but feels properly remote.
Walk3.9 mi awayArun Valley Path
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A gentle river valley path near Arundel with watermeadow views and low elevation, ideal for a relaxed outing with easy town access.
Walk10.4 mi awayWeald and Downland Museum and Forest Walk
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A dog friendly West Sussex circular linking the Weald & Downland Living Museum's open-air historic village with the beech woodland of Charlton Forest on the South Downs.
Walk11.1 mi awayMidhurst and the River Rother Walk
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A dog friendly easy circular from Midhurst's old town along the River Rother through National Trust Woolbeding parkland and back across riverside meadows.
