The Arun Valley Line winds its way from Gatwick to Bosham and Bognor Regis, passing through the South Downs and sleepy Sussex villages. In fact, it might just be the most quietly beautiful train journey in England. It’s where castle spires meet pebble beaches, viaducts stretch across wildflower meadows, and heritage meets seaside fish and chips.
There’s even a podcast - aptly titled The Arun Valley Line Podcast - which takes you behind the scenes of some of the best stops, exploring what they have to offer and getting the inside scoop from those who know it best, like the director of Amberley Museum and the health and wellbeing officer for South Downs National Park.
If you’re looking for a magical train experience this summer, these are the best things to eat, drink, see and do along the Arun Valley Line.
1. Horsham
Best for: Independent cafés and rooftop drinks
Our first stop is the Arun Valley Line’s biggest town. Horsham is somewhat of a local secret, with a cobbled central square, proper Saturday markets, and tons of independent shops and cafes. Stop at Trading Post Coffee Roasters, where a giant coffee roaster sits in the window. Then grab a cocktail at The M Bar on the roof of Piries Place - it’s the best place for sunset people-watching with an Aperol in hand.
2. Christ’s Hospital
Best for: An exclusive Hogwarts-esque detour
If it feels like you’re trespassing on a Victorian boarding school, that’s because… you kind of are. The Christ’s Hospital School campus is private, but you can admire the stately colonnades and vast clock tower from the platform of the railway station. To get a behind-the-scenes experience, book a tour with Christ’s Hospital Museum, where pupils of this exclusive school give visitors a chance to look at the paintings, buildings and grounds as well as visiting the museum itself. You even get afternoon tea in the magnificent Dining Hall. You can find out more about Christ’s Hospital on episode four of The Arun Valley Line Podcast.
3. Billingshurst
Best for: Countryside walks with a pub lunch
You’re spoilt for choice with walking trails in Billingshurst. Be sure to check out the hand-drawn map in the waiting room of Billingshurst railway station, which was created by volunteers for the Billingshurst Community Partnership, and shows where you can go, how to get around, and some of the best walking routes. When it’s time for a well-deserved pub lunch, just a 10-minute walk from the railway station you’ll find The Six Bells. This country pub serves up pints of local ale and timeless pub classics in a Grade II listed 16th-century coaching inn. You can find out more about Billingshurst on episode five of The Arun Valley Line Podcast.
4. Pulborough
Best for: Vineyards to rival the best French regions
Near to Pulborough station, Stopham Vineyard is known for producing some of England’s crispest white wines. The setting is peak Sussex: rolling hills, ancient oak trees and a 16th-century manor house. Book a weekend tour to explore the vines, sip award-winning Pinot Gris and Bacchus, and nose around the beautiful old flint barn where the wine is made. What’s more, the vineyard overlooks the River Arun, so the view is as refreshing as the wine. You can find out more about Stopham Vineyard on episode six of The Arun Valley Line Podcast.
5. Amberley
Best for: Time travel and cream tea
The Amberley Museum is the star here: an open-air time capsule with vintage buses, chalk pits, steam engines and craft demos. It’s right opposite the railway station, so you can’t miss it - and you can get 2-for-1 entry with your Southern railway ticket. Then it’s a 10-minute walk into the village, where the Amberley Village Tearoom, Village Store and 12th-century church will transport you back in time. You can find out more about Amberley on episode seven of The Arun Valley Line Podcast.
6. Arundel
Best for: Castle views and riverside strolls
If you only stop once, make it here. Arundel Castle rises like a fairytale above the River Arun, and the town below is full of antique shops, bookshops and bakeries. If you feel like you’ve stepped into a film, that’s because you have. Many films and TV shows have been filmed in Arundel over the years, including Wicked Little Letters starring Olivia Colman. Walk the riverside path, rent a rowing boat, or get a flat white from Gaskyns - a coffee shop inside a converted chapel, naturally.7. Ford
Best for: Breathtaking history
Ford is a tiny village that barely registers on Google Maps - and that’s what makes it so special. Undiscovered by most, a 10-minute walk from the railway station will take you to St Andrew’s Church, which is a remarkable Saxon building layered with over a thousand years of history. Its Norman chancel arch, Saxon and Norman windows, and fragments of Anglo-Saxon carving offer rare glimpses into England’s early medieval past. It’s a patchwork of history, with later additions that include a Gothic east window, a 15th-century west window, and a Jacobean brick porch. With its mysterious font and timeless setting, this Grade I-listed church is a beautifully preserved time capsule and well worth exploring.
8. Barnham
Best for: Clever architecture
With its dramatic black coating and impressive stature, Barnham’s iconic windmill is a must-see while in the area. It was built in 1790 and is Grade II-listed. Once a working corn mill powered by wind until the 1920s, and later by engine until the 1960s, lovers of architecture (particularly George Clarke) will be pleased to hear that it’s been cleverly restored and converted into a private residence.
9. Littlehampton
Best for: A surprising and unique café
Littlehampton is a classic seaside town, with arcades, candy floss, and kids on scooters that aren’t electric. It’s also home to the unique East Beach Café, a wave-shaped, steel building designed by award-winning British architect Thomas Heatherwick. Aside from the quirky exterior, the café offers a classic English menu which includes seaside favourites like fresh locally caught fish, traditional fish and chips with pea purée, and the classic East Beach beef burger. It’s a modernist surprise in a bucket-and-spade setting, with food that The Times has described as “exceptional”.
10. Bognor Regis
Best for: Nostalgic beachfront fun
Ignore the snobs: Bognor Regis is British seaside joy at its best. Deckchairs, Mr Whippy, and a promenade made for wandering. Bonus points if you finish your day with fish and chips on the seawall as the sun goes down.
Arun Valley Line Trains
Trains run every 30 minutes from Monday to Saturday during the day, and hourly on Sundays. These trains run along the Arun Valley Line direct from London Victoria, Clapham Junction, East Croydon and Portsmouth & Southsea. To find out what's going on along the route, head to the Southeast Community Rail Partnership's Arun Valley page.