- Leaders: Sandy Arpino and Rose Field
- Date: 12 November 2025
- Distance: 8.6 miles
Petersfield Ramblers walk the Centurion Way to explore its recent extension
The Centurion Way is a flat path that follows the old, dismantled Chichester to Midhurst railway line, which closed in 1991. For many years the Centurion Way comprised 5.5 miles of path running north from Chichester to West Dean – but in August this year, following 3 years of extensive work, a further 1.3 miles was officially opened, extending the route to Cucumber Farm and including Singleton station. Petersfield Ramblers were keen to explore this new extension so – on a warm day in mid-November – 14 Ramblers gathered in Chichester Festival Theatre’s car park to begin their adventure. It was felt that it was only right to walk the whole trail, leading north to reach our goal after lunch.
We headed west – initially along the city walls – until we reached Bishop Luffa School and the start of the Centurion Way. To coincide with the new section opening, the original arch marking the beginning of the trail was rescued from storage, refurbished and reinstalled, having been taken down a decade ago. Original mythical character sculptures, including Roman gods and a dancing deer, have been reinstated within the new archway. This photo opportunity was not to be missed!
Then it was full steam ahead along the delightful path, shrouded by trees on either side, awash with rich autumn colours. After 2 miles we emerged into open fields, having cleared Chichester and Summersdale, and stopped for a coffee break on the conveniently placed benches. No sooner were we off than we paused again for another group photo, gathering around a wonderful sculpture of spade-wielding Roman workers (called the Chichester Road Gang) made from gas cylinders!
Another half a mile took us to our fourth brick bridge – decorated with animal cut-outs drawn by children from Lavant Primary School and reproduced in steel sheet by Richard Farrington.
After the bridge stood impressive Lavant Station, now converted into stylish residential dwellings. Passing through a quiet housing estate we found ourselves back in countryside, greeted by blue skies and sunshine, with views across agricultural fields on either side.
An unusually round tunnel took us under the A286 to our lunch spot; we had completed our walk of the original 5.5 miles of the Centurion Way. It was a pleasure to sit bathed in sun beside newly-planted trees weighed down by crab-apples.
The original trail finished where we sat because ahead of us the steam trains entered 450m long West Dean Tunnel. Sadly there is no consent to take the trail through the tunnel, so walkers and cyclists are required to drop down to the A286 to bypass the closed tunnel section of the dismantled railway. This we duly did. After a short distance of newly widened pavement, we were permitted to take a path through woods owned by the West Dean Estate until a new gate gave us access to the Centurion Way extension. Looking back through the woods we could just see the heavy metal gates across the tunnel entrance, with a grill to accommodate bat movements.
Continuing north on the trail we passed the ruined water tower covered in ivy.
A little further along the trail opened out to reveal restored Singleton station with its vast four platforms, built to handle all the visitors to Goodwood Races. Information boards helpfully explained the station’s history. Beyond the station stands a dilapidated but picturesque goods shed – and one of a number of milk halts.
Alas, too soon our way forward was blocked: we had reached the end of the new extension. Turning round, we headed back to Singleton Station, dropping down a ramp to the side of the platforms to see the old station building – now a private residential home. In the restored rendering on the top half of the house were more of the exquisite drawings of flowers in vases, seen earlier on Lavant station.
It just remained to enjoy coffee and cake in West Dean Gardens’ café!
Author: Sandy Arpino
Photography: Sandy Arpino and Peter Berg