Barlavington Estate, Heyshott and Graffham Commons loop — South Downs National Park

Experience the beauty of open heathland by traversing the sandy commons of Sutton, Heyshott, and Graffham. Along the way, you'll encounter several historic landmarks, including Stopham Bridge, Graffham Sheep Pig and the ruins of Bedham Church.

This is one of the longer Tours in the Collection, but the climbs are lower and more gradual than some of the shorter routes that traverse the South Downs Way. Rather than being situated atop the downs ridge, this loop winds through heather-covered heathland, culminating in a gradual ascent over Flexham Park on the outskirts of Petworth.

Sections of this route trace the bridleways of the Serpent Trail, a long-distance hiking path showcasing the beautiful and uncommon lowland heathland environment of the South East.

The terrain is split equally between quiet tarmac lanes and off-road trails. It's best avoided after heavy rain, as some tracks can get very muddy. I'd recommend using a mountain or gravel bike and bear in mind that small parts of the route feature skinny bridleways lined with overgrown heather and gorse.

You'll find plenty of welcoming pubs along the way, including the White Hart in Pulborough, the White Horse Inn in Sutton, the Unicorn Inn in Heyshott and the Welldiggers Arms in Byworth. Situated at the halfway point and offering a stunning beer garden at the foot of the downs, the Unicorn Inn is a personal favourite. If you're after a supermarket, the only option is a Tesco superstore within a 5-minute cycle from your starting point at Pulborough station.

Pulborough station offers half-hour stopping services to London Victoria, East Croydon and Bognor Regis. There's a 24-hour pay and display station car park or free layby parking west of the railway bridge on Stopham Road.