4 Night Bridge & Walking Holiday in the South Downs
Stay in the comfort of our characterful country houses and exercise both mind and body with this classic combination. You’ll have a choice of two guided walks a day (one short and one longer) followed by a bridge competition each evening.
What you’ll love
- Guided walking with experienced HF Holidays Leaders
- Playing bridge in a relaxed and friendly environment
- Meeting like-minded people
- Being surrounded by the stunning landscape of South Downs
- Evening bridge competitions
- Staying in the comfort of our country house
What’s included
- All bridge-related materials
- Comfortable en-suite accommodation in our country house
- Cream tea on arrival day
- Cooked or continental breakfast every morning
- Daily packed lunches
- Three-course evening meals, plus tea & coffee
- Easy-to-follow routes, maps, and information available in our Discovery Point if you want to explore independently
Trip Notes
Easy to download as a PDF, our trip notes provide detailed information for every holiday. Please click below to find the trip notes for your departure date.
All our carefully-curated itineraries are designed by our experts. While we make every effort to adhere to the described itinerary, we may take alternative routes or adapt the running order for weather and/or operational reasons.
Check-in at the hotel is available from 4pm. Enjoy a complimentary cream tea on arrival.
Enjoy a daily choice of two walks each day, with a free day on all 7-night holidays. You can choose either an easier route of around 4-6 miles or a harder route of around 6-8 miles to explore the local area. Your optional walks will take you out to explore the countryside surrounding your HF country house, and sometimes further afield. The walking options are outlined below.
We'll return to the house in time to relax before your evening Bridge competition starts at 5pm.
WALKS INFO:
Day 2 - Option 1: Thakeham and Warminghurst
Distance: 5 miles (8km)
Total ascent: 350 feet (120m)
In summary: From the house we ascend to the ridge and then make our way to Thakeham. We continue through open fields join a woodland track which takes us to Warminghurst. We return to the house via the outskirts of Thakeham.
Highlight: The peace and quiet of the woodland tracks.
Day 2 - Option 2: Thakeham, Warminghurst & Ashington
Distance: 6½ miles (10.5km)
Total Ascent: 400 feet (120m)
In Summary: We walk to the nearby village of Thakeham and then, via Warminghurst church, across fields to Ashington. We return via woodland to the House.
Highlight: The gentle stroll through the woodland at the end of the walk.
Day 3 - Option 1: Perrett's Copse and Wantley
Distance: 4 miles (6.5km)
Ascent: 200 feet (60m)
In summary: We walk along the ridge to the west of the House and then turn south for a short distance before turning eastwards to Wantley, just north of Storrington. From here we walk northwards to complete our circuit, re-joining the outward route for our return to the House.
Highlight: Views from the ridge are stunning.
Day 3 - Option 2: Cootham and Storrington
Distance: 6½ miles (11km)
Ascent: 400 feet (120m)
In summary: We walk along the ridge to the west of the house and then south to Storrington. There will be time to explore Storrington and possibly visit a teashop before we return through fields to the house.
Highlight: Explore picturesque Storrington, gateway to the South Downs.
Day 4 - Option 1: West Chiltington and Thakeham
Distance: 6 miles (9.5km)
Ascent: 450 feet (140m)
In summary: Starting out west along the ridge, we soon turn north to West Chiltington. We return, via Thakeham – and possibly via the White Lion public house, to the Abingworth Hall.
Highlight: West Chiltington church was built between 1100 & 1150 and has a fine collection of frescoes.
Day 4 - Option 2: Hurston Place, West Chiltington and Thakeham
Distance: 8 miles (13km)
Ascent: 500 feet (140m)
In summary: We walk along the ridge to the west of the house to Hurston Place and then across West Sussex golf course to West Chiltington Common. We continue, eastwards, via the picturesque Sussex villages of West Chiltington and Thakeham to return to the house.
Highlight: Beautiful views of the South Downs abound on this delightful walk.
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home.
Abingworth Hall
Country living just got cosier at this former farmhouse. Abingworth Hall is just a skip away from the village of Thakeham at the foot of the South Downs – a landscape of ancient woodland, hidden valleys, chalky cliffs, and high-backed hills so deserving of its national park status finally bestowed in 2010. While the views from the doorstep are as wow-worthy as you’d expect, the walking opportunities around the sightseeing greats such as Devil’s Dyke, Seven Sisters Country Park, Kingley Vale, Parham House, and the Clayton Windmills (known locally as Jack and Jill) are equally standout. You’ll also be within easy driving distance of several historic towns and cities, most fabulously Arundel, Chichester, and Brighton.
Rooms
Designed with your comfort in mind, Abingworth Hall has 27 well-appointed guest rooms available in two categories: Classic and Premium.
Classic Rooms are comfortable en-suite guest rooms, ideal for a peaceful night's sleep. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, and shower gel), and a TV.
Premium Rooms are more spacious en-suite guest rooms*. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, body lotion, shower gel), and a 32-inch TV. Extras include bathrobes, slippers.
We love: The Premium Rooms for views of the impossibly pretty surroundings.
The Choose Your Room service is available at our UK country houses, allowing you the option of choosing and confirming a specific room for an extra charge of £30 per room. This is subject to availability. Upgrade supplements apply.
Room supplements
| Premium single | Premium double/twin | Choose your room |
| £20 pppn | £20 pppn | £30 per room |
*Views and layout reflect each properties unique character and location
*Please note, pool opening hours are: 07:00am – 09:00am and 16:00pm – 18:30pm
About your stay
A warm welcome
We want you to feel comfortable from the moment you arrive. You’ll find a welcome pack in your room with guest registration forms, menus, order forms for dinners and picnic lunches, the Wi-Fi password, and the front door code. Our houses are locked at night, so we recommend noting the Duty Manager’s number on arrival in case of an emergency (or getting locked out).
Evening entertainment
While evening entertainment varies from house to house, HF Holidays Inter-House Quiz night held after dinner on Wednesdays is a weekly staple. Your HF Holidays leader may be around for tips on guided and self-guided waking routes as well as visit-worthy local attractions.
Walks talks
Our HF Holidays walk leaders host guided walking information briefings before dinner on guided walking holiday arrival days. This is followed by a group Walks Talk for information on the following day’s guided walks (held before dinner every evening). Self-guided walking guests are, of course, welcome.
The walking day
Prior to setting off on guided walks, your HF Holidays Leader will run you through a short safety briefing. There’s also an up-to-date weather forecast on display at the house to ensure you have appropriate clothing and footwear. If you choose to do your own walks or are on a self-guided walking holiday, we ask that you please complete an Independent Walker Card each day. These can be found near the Discovery Point in the house.
Food & drink
Seasonal dining, tailored for you
Our team of skilled chefs design our dinner menus to showcase the best of each season, from warming winter comfort food to vibrant summer dishes, including vegetarian, vegan and high-protein options. We also source fruit and vegetables within a 40-mile radius of each house, open every break with a Chef’s Special menu inspired by dishes and flavours of the local area, and are able to adapt dishes to suit special dietary requirements.
Welcome Cream Tea
What better way to start your stay than with a cream tea, served fresh on arrival to make you feel instantly at home. A quintessentially English tradition, our scones are baked in-house and served with preserves and clotted cream, providing the perfect opportunity to meet fellow walkers.
A hearty breakfast to start the day
Start the day with a freshly-prepared cooked breakfast and a wide choice from our continental buffet, including hot drinks, juices and fresh fruit. Our team offer a quick and friendly service, leaving you fuelled and ready for your day’s adventures.
Our famous picnic lunch
Our personalised picnic lunches are perfect for a day out walking, ready to enjoy when hunger strikes. Choose from a large selection of fresh sandwiches and salads, freshly baked cakes and snacks, including the ever-popular Freddos chocolate bar! Everything is designed to fit neatly into your rucksack, and all of the packaging we provide is recyclable or compostable.
3-course evening meals
Our à la carte evening menus feature a wide choice of starters, mains, and desserts, made with seasonal ingredients and, wherever possible, herbs and vegetables from our own gardens. Shared around sociable tables, dinners are relaxed occasions, with drinks available to order at the table or from the bar, and a traditional Sunday roast to round off the week.
Accessibility
For accessibility and assistance information, please contact our expert team on 020 3974 8865 or view the accessibility information online for Abingworth Hall
Getting to Abingworth Hall
Find out more about this location including travel details and room types.
More InformationAddress
Abingworth Hall
Storrington Road
Thakeham
West Sussex RH20 3EF
Tel: +44 (0)1798 813636
By train
The nearest station is Pulborough.
Pulborough station has a short platform, so you’ll need to check the departure boards for which carriage to sit in.
National Rail have up-to-date routes and train times.
By taxi
The six-mile journey from Pulborough railway station takes about 15 minutes.
It’s best to avoid arriving at Pulborough station between 2:50pm and 3:20pm as there may not be any taxis available due to school pick-ups.
For pricing, please contact the taxi company directly.
MJ Cars
You can pre-book a taxi from with MJ Cars*. We recommend booking your taxi at least seven days in advance by contacting:
Tel: +44 (0)1903 745414
Email: mjcars@btconnect.com
A return journey can be arranged on your behalf by the HF Holidays House Manager at Abingworth Hall.
*MJ Cars is not owned or managed by HF Holidays.
Sue's Private Hire
You can pre-book a taxi with Sue's Private Hire* by phone, text or email. Please pre-book asap as there are no taxis based at Pulborough Station. Your journey will be mostly with a lady driver and an electric car.
Tel: +44 (0)1798 874848 / +44 (0)7918 137066
Email:- sueph520@yahoo.com
*Sue's Private Hire is not owned or managed by HF Holidays and prices are subject to change
By car
From the M25
Take either the A24 or the M23 and then the A264 towards Horsham. At the Great Daux roundabout go south on the A24 towards Worthing. Go straight over two roundabouts and then at the traffic lights turn right onto the A272 to Billingshurst and Petersfield. After three miles turn left onto the B2139. Abingworth Hall is approximately four miles from this junction on the left hand side (go past Abingworth Meadows and Thakeham Pre-School).
From the M27
Continue onto the A27 around Chichester. At the second roundabout take the first exit on to the A29, then the second exit on to the B2139 to Storrington. At the mini roundabout, take the second exit onto the A283. Continue through Storrington then turn onto the B2139 towards Thakeham. Continue straight ahead at the traffic lights, and then take the first exit at the mini roundabout then the first exit. Continue down this road until you reach Abingworth Hall on the right.
By air
The nearest airport is Gatwick Airport.
The easiest way to get from Gatwick Airport to Abingworth Hall is by taxi, a 29-mile journey taking around 40 minutes.
Bridge
All your Bridge stationery and equipment will be supplied. You may, however, like to bring a notebook and pen to make your own notes. EBU Members - don’t forget to bring your EBU membership number to earn Master Points on this holiday.
Walking
To enjoy your walking comfortably and safely, it is essential that your footwear, clothing and equipment are suitable for the conditions likely to be encountered. Britain is famous for its changeable weather, so our advice is to come prepared for all eventualities.
Bring a rucksack, a thermos flask for a hot drink, a water bottle (at least 1 litre) and spare high-energy food such as a chocolate bar, a small torch (in spring, autumn and winter) and first aid kit – your leader’s first aid kit doesn’t contain any medication or blister kits (such as Compeed). Many guests find walking poles useful, particularly for descents. Insect repellent, sun hat, sunglasses and protection cream and a camera are all optional extras you may choose to bring.
Abingworth Hall Calendar
- Guided Walking
- Self-Guided Walking
- Special Interests
- Unavailable to Book
Julia Davies
Julia has had a long love affair with bridge. In fact, it was through her first ever game that she met her husband. She’s now an English Bridge Union Tournament Director and heads up the junior team of the UK’s most popular bridge club. As an expert tutor on our special interest breaks, Julia will teach you all she knows about her beloved game with a helping of humour for good measure.
Guest reviews
All holidays are subject to availability. Supplements may apply.
Members save £30 on all prices. Join today! Click here or call us to find out more.
All our carefully-curated itineraries are designed by our experts. While we make every effort to adhere to the described itinerary, we may take an alternative route, or vary the running order for weather and/or operational reasons.
Holiday prices
| Date (Start - End) | Itinerary | Double / Twin Room | Single Room | Notes / Offers | Trip Notes | Book | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | ||||||||
|
24 Nov - 28 Nov 2025 4 nights |
Itinerary Single from £629
Double Call to Enquire
|
Call to Enquire |
from £629 |
Trip Notes
|
Book Now | |||
| 2026 | ||||||||
|
19 Oct - 23 Oct 2026 4 nights |
Itinerary Single from £739 Double from £699 pp |
from £699 pp |
from £739 |
Trip Notes
|
Book Now | |||
85Kg of CO₂e
Average carbon footprint per person Learn More