Sussex Border Path
Charlwood to Rowfant (West Sussex)
(11 Miles)
Before Gatwick, the route follows a series of field paths. The landscaped perimeter route leads right up to the terminal building. After a short section alongside the motorway, things rapidly improve. Burstow is a pleasant village and the track south from Copthorne Common passes through fine deciduous woodland to Rowfant.
On reaching main road at Charlwood turn right. Pass 'Rising Sun' P.H. and, about 50 yards past Charlwood Garage, take road to left. Ignore left turn and continue along rough track, passing Chapel on left. In about 300 yards turn right over bridge/stile by metal gate and eastward along left edge of several fields heading east, finally crossing field and coming out on road by red-brick house. Turn left along road. In about 80 yards turn right through gate and immediately go left over stile. After 150 yards parallel to road, turn right and shortly left to cross plank bridge and go left along track. At junction of tracks, turn right and soon go left with River Mole and high bank away to right. Enter woodland and turn right on path parallel to road. After leaving wood, continue parallel to stream. Cross stile by gate and join cul-de-sac. In a few yards, cross road at junction and follow path ahead within landscaped area. By Gatwick Penta Hotel, cross foot bridge over River Mole. Beyond bridge, turn right and walk within landscaped area with bank on right and A23 to left. At roundabout, go ahead along Gatwick Way, under transit railway. At junction, turn left along Perimeter Road North, passing to right of police station. At next roundabout, go left on cycle track. Pass under 3 subways and immediately turn left on track which runs parallel to railway. Continue until reaching foot-bridge by which to cross railway. On other side of bridge turn left and follow fenced headland path east. At far corner of field, curve right and, in about 50 yards, turn left over stile. Follow line of trees across next field to another stile and an enclosed path out to a road at GR 293419.
Turn right along road passing 'Coppingham Arms' P.H. and, just short of motorway bridge, turn left over stile and follow path parallel to motorway fence. Continue parallel to motorway until you can go under it and follow road southwards. In about half a mile soon after double bend, go left on road over motorway. Keep straight on at entrance to mushroom factory and follow bridleway to village of Burstow. GR 312414.
On reaching road at Burstow (GR 312414), turn right, passing Burstow Church where roads bends left, go ahead over stile and head half left across field to far corner. Here rejoin road (exit is staggered) and turn right. Cross B2037 road and go through metal gate almost directly ahead. Strike out obliquely left across field (not up drive), heading somewhat to left of farm buildings ahead Go through hedge (stile is overgrown) and then go left through gap in next hedge, leaving at a pond on left.
Now turn half right and head towards scrubby area. Enter the derelict area over stile and head across it, generally SE. Join road by 'Nyahlands Farm' (GR 322401) and turn right, just past 'Cherry Tree' P.H. turn left on Clay Hill Lane. Where metalling ends go right and, in 350 yards, left with track. In a further 150 yards it becomes a hard gravelled track and after another 150 yards take wide track on right down to road at 'Abergavenny Arms' P.H. at Copthorne Common. Follow metalled track which starts opposite pub. At meeting of 5 ways go ahead (half left).Continue for full mile to 'Rowfant Farm' along woodland track at first and finally past various farm buildings on right. By 'Hill House' main track turns away left but Sussex Border Path goes straight on through rails and downhill on enclosed track between banks. Follow track round towards buildings at Rowfant and turn left under castellated gateway. Follow driveway out to road and turn left.
Map of Sussex.
Each letter represents a section of The Sussex Border Path. Click on a Letter for information on this section of the walk.
Walking The Sussex Border Path
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