The Halfway Bridge – lanes, vineyard, Rother, and quiet countryside
At a Glance:
- Distance: Just over 3.5 miles
- Time: Around 1.5 hours
- Difficulty: Easy–moderate (some inclines, nothing brutal)
- Terrain: Country lanes, fields, vineyard tracks, riverside path
- Dog friendly: Yes, with usual countryside considerations
- Start/finish: The Halfway Bridge, A272 between Petworth and Midhurst
- Good for: Quieter countryside, gentle hills, views to North & South Downs
Why We Love This Walk:
About halfway between Petworth and Midhurst on the A272 there’s a pub called The Halfway Bridge. It’s one of those places that feels like it’s in the middle of nowhere, and that’s exactly what this walk leans into. We love this loop because it strings together so many different textures in a relatively short distance: shady lanes, open fields, a vineyard (always a nice surprise in Sussex) and then a peaceful stretch along the river Rother. It’s our go‑to when we want proper countryside and big views without the crowds.
The Walk:
There’s plenty of easy parking in the lane behind the pub. Once you’ve laced up, you head away from The Halfway Bridge, over the river and up the lane. After a short pull up the incline, you take a left turn onto a track and from there the route starts to open out.
The area around Lodsworth has that slightly rolling, patchwork feel – a mix of fields, hedgerows and woodland pockets – and in places you get great views across to both the North and South Downs. On a clear day you can play “name that ridge” as you go.
One of the unexpected highlights is the vineyard you pass through: neat rows of vines marching up the slope, a reminder that this corner of West Sussex is quietly becoming wine country. It’s the sort of detail that makes the walk feel a bit special.
With so many tempting views and distractions it’s easy to miss a turn, so it’s worth keeping half an eye on the Footpath app as you go. The route is planned for you, so even if your mind wanders you won’t get lost. Overall it’s just over 3.5 miles, which for us comes out at about 7,500 steps and roughly 365 calories – or, if you prefer, one very solid excuse for what happens back at the pub.
A Bit of What We Like:
- The feeling of leaving the A272 behind almost immediately and being in proper countryside within minutes
- The little surprise of the vineyard – it always makes us feel like we’ve stumbled across something.
- The way the river Rother section slows everything down; it’s hard to rush when you’re following water.
- And then, of course, there’s The Halfway Bridge itself. A warm, welcoming pub for a meal, a snack or just a drink.
Useful Links – click the boxes below
- Start / Parking (What3Words): mason.decking.outdoors
- Local weather: BBC Weather for Lodsworth area
- Route map: Halfway Bridge loop on the Footpath app
- Pub website: The Halfway Bridge
