Edward Elgar: Hand-drawn map illustrating directions to Brinkwells Cottage, 1921 (Royal College of Music Collection)
By train
There are regular services between London Victoria and Pulborough. The journey takes on average 1 hour 12 mins. The last direct trains back to London are as follows (though later journeys are still possible, with a change at Three Bridges):
The no. 1 bus (Worthing-Midhurst) runs between Pulborough Station and Fittleworth hourly during the day. Evening journeys, however, will need to be made by taxi, which should be booked in advance. Examples of two local cab companies are below
Sue's Private Hire
PPCH Executive Car Service
The map Elgar drew to direct his great friend, Billy Reed, to Brinkwells above indicates a walking route from Pulborough station: which is of course still possible, but which requires walking 1.5 miles along the busy road to Stopham. From here, you can find your way along friendlier footpaths to Fittleworth.
- Friday: dep. Pulborough 21.35, arr. Victoria 22.51 (last with change 23.08, arr. 00.42)
- Saturday: dep. Pulborough 21.36, arr. Victoria 22.49 (last with change 23.08, arr. 00.41)
- Sunday: dep. Pulborough 22.26, arr. Victoria 23.46
The no. 1 bus (Worthing-Midhurst) runs between Pulborough Station and Fittleworth hourly during the day. Evening journeys, however, will need to be made by taxi, which should be booked in advance. Examples of two local cab companies are below
Sue's Private Hire
PPCH Executive Car Service
The map Elgar drew to direct his great friend, Billy Reed, to Brinkwells above indicates a walking route from Pulborough station: which is of course still possible, but which requires walking 1.5 miles along the busy road to Stopham. From here, you can find your way along friendlier footpaths to Fittleworth.
By bicycle
The A283 between Pulborough and Stopham Bridge is busy, but nice and flat. After crossing the bridge, however, the road starts to ascend steeply, round quite a sharp bend, before you reach the brow of the hill, and begin the descent into Fittleworth. There are unfortunately no designated cycle paths in the area.
By car
Fittleworth lies on the A283, between Pulborough and Petworth. The A283 connects eastwards to the A24 at Washington (a few miles south of Horsham) and westwards to the A272 at Petworth.
From the North:
From the North-East:
From the South:
There is limited on-road parking around the village, but please park considerately.
From the North:
- Take the A3;
- After Guildford, at Milford, fork left onto A283, then on to Petworth;
- At Petworth, take any road left, eastwards towards Pulborough
- Keep following signs marked Pulborough;
- After 3 miles, you pass a road-sign saying you're entering Fittleworth;
- For St Mary's Church, continue beyond "Roman Villa" sign as road heads downhill and watch out for sharp turn on right - one-way Church Lane - just before dog's-leg bend.
From the North-East:
- From Pulborough, turn right onto A283, westwards;
- Proceed for 2 miles into wood, passing first a 40 mph sign and then a 30 mph sign;
- For St Mary's Church, continue along A283, past turning for School Lane and up hill; turn left into dog's-leg bend, then immediately left again into Church Lane.
From the South:
- From Chichester/ Arundel, turn left onto B2138 towards Fittleworth;
- Pass sign for village and continue down Tripp Hill towards river Rother;
- For St Mary's Church, continue up B2138 past The Swan Inn, and turn right into School Lane; at end of lane, turn left onto A283 and follow directions above.
There is limited on-road parking around the village, but please park considerately.