4.4
(271)
3,441
riders
310
rides
Touring cycling around Nuthurst offers routes through quintessential English countryside, characterized by open farm and parkland, serene woodlands, and expansive grasslands. The area benefits from its proximity to the South Downs National Park, providing varied terrain including rolling hills and further wooded areas. A significant feature for cyclists is the Downs Link, a flat, car-free bridleway that connects villages and passes through fields.
Last updated: May 20, 2026
5.0
(3)
67
riders
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
1.0
(1)
58
riders
18.5km
01:06
120m
120m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

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3.0
(1)
18
riders
7.37km
00:28
30m
30m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.5
(2)
13
riders
21.8km
01:35
200m
200m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
5
riders
15.0km
00:55
150m
150m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Great pub with excellent food, fireplace and welcoming staff.
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Southwater Country Park was formed after the closure of the brickworks and quarry in 1981. The area is now a thriving wildlife and leisure area with woodland, grasslands and a lake. There are children's playgrounds, a beach for paddling, watersports, fishing, bike trails and a café.
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Wonderful dinosaur themed park that is along the cycle route and trackway way, sells hot food and ice cream so well worth taking a break here.
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This pub can be accessed from the main road or from the Downs Link bridleway. There’s a good pizza menu for anyone looking to refuel.
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St. Leonard is famous for fighting and killing a dragon in the forest. This bench with a beautifully carved dragon serves as a reminder of the story.
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Visit the nearby site of Coolham Airfield and see the stories of airmen from this site who died in WW2
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There are over 330 touring cycling routes around Nuthurst, offering a wide variety of options for different preferences and skill levels. The komoot community has rated these routes highly, with an average score of 4.3 stars.
Touring cycling around Nuthurst features a mix of quintessential English countryside, including open farm and parkland, serene woodlands, and expansive grasslands. A significant feature is the Downs Link, a flat, well-surfaced, car-free bridleway that connects villages and passes through fields. Routes also utilize quiet lanes and good bridleways, with some segments being unpaved, particularly in areas like St. Leonard's Forest.
Yes, Nuthurst offers several family-friendly touring cycling routes. The area around Southwater Country Park is particularly suitable, with easy loops and dedicated bike trails. Routes like Southwater Country Park – West Grinstead Station loop from Southwater are easy and utilize sections of the flat Downs Link, making them ideal for families.
Many touring cycling routes in Nuthurst are designed as loops, allowing you to start and finish at the same point. Examples include the Southwater Lake – Southwater Country Park loop from Southwater, which explores woodlands and lake areas, and the West Grinstead Station – Southwater Country Park loop from West Grinstead, which leads through rural landscapes and along the Downs Link.
While cycling around Nuthurst, you can encounter several interesting landmarks and attractions. The Southwater Country Park offers a lake, woodlands, and grasslands. In St. Leonard's Forest, you might discover the unique St. Leonard's Dragon Bench. Other nearby points of interest include West Grinstead Station, Shipley Windmill, and Tilgate Lake.
Parking is generally available at popular starting points for touring cycling routes. For routes around Southwater Country Park, parking facilities are typically provided at the park itself. If you're exploring routes along the Downs Link, you might find parking near former railway stations like West Grinstead Station. For routes in St. Leonard's Forest, areas like Mannings Heath offer access points with parking.
Yes, you'll find options for refreshments and places to rest. The Southwater Country Park has a café. The Downs Link passes through various villages where you can find pubs and cafes. The Black Horse Inn in Nuthurst is also a welcoming spot for cyclists.
Nuthurst offers a range of difficulty levels for touring cyclists. You'll find 121 easy routes, 140 moderate routes, and 70 difficult routes. Easy routes often utilize flat sections of the Downs Link, while more difficult routes, such as those in St. Leonard's Forest like St. Leonard's Dragon Bench – St Leonard's Forest loop from Mannings Heath, may include more challenging unpaved segments and greater elevation changes.
Absolutely. Nuthurst is very suitable for beginner touring cyclists, with 121 easy routes available. Many of these routes, particularly those around Southwater Country Park and along the Downs Link, are relatively flat and well-surfaced, providing a comfortable and enjoyable experience for those new to touring cycling.
The touring cycling routes in Nuthurst are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.3 stars from over 200 reviews. Cyclists often praise the picturesque scenery of the typical Sussex countryside, the well-maintained Downs Link, and the variety of routes that cater to different abilities.
While Nuthurst itself is a rural village, some cycling routes, particularly those utilizing the Downs Link, can be accessed from points that may be reachable by public transport. For example, the West Grinstead Station – Southwater Country Park loop from West Grinstead starts near the former West Grinstead Station, which is a key access point for the Downs Link. Checking local bus services to villages along the Downs Link or near Southwater Country Park would be advisable.
The best time to go touring cycling in Nuthurst is generally during the spring, summer, and early autumn months. During these periods, the weather is typically milder, and the countryside is at its most vibrant. While cycling is possible year-round, some unpaved sections and bridleways might become muddy or challenging during wetter winter months.
Many routes in Nuthurst offer scenic views of the quintessential English countryside. Routes through St. Leonard's Forest, such as St Leonard's Forest – St. Leonard's Dragon Bench loop from Mannings Heath, provide extensive wooded areas and from various ridges, you can enjoy views stretching south towards the coast and Arundel, and north towards Horsham and the North Downs. The proximity to the South Downs National Park also means many routes offer rolling hills and picturesque vistas.


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