Centurion Way
Centurion Way is an 13km (8 miles) cycling and walking path starting in Chichester, and passing through Lavant and West Dean. It follows the old Chichester to Midhurst railway line, first opened to passengers in 1881 and fully closed by 1991. The name was chosen by a student from Bishop Luffa school in Chichester, based on the fact that the path crosses the course of a Roman road.
Centurion Way provides a safe and sustainable link for walkers, cyclists and anyone with restricted mobility, between Chichester and the heart of the South Downs National Park. Starting near Bishop Luffa School, the route currently finishes at Cucumber Farm in Singleton.
The SDNPA are responsible for the unbound gravel section of path only, from north of Lavant to Cucumber Farm.
Led by the South Downs National Park Authority working with a range of partners and landowners, the route has been extended from West Dean to Cucumber Farm, and further extensions are planned to link the trail up with the 100-mile long South Downs Way National Trail in Cocking.
This is a complex project that will take several years to complete, and it’s hoped the extension will be finished in 2027.
Please click on the tab for Centurion Way extension project for updates on the work.
View the Centurion Way route map here. This will be updated as the route is extended.
Getting to the Centurion Way
The Centurion Way connects with the South Coast Cycle Route at Fishbourne, where cyclists can continue westwards to visit Fishbourne Roman Palace and Bosham.
Northwards, the route continues to West Dean House and Gardens and the Weald and Downland Open Air Museum at Singleton.
The 60 bus runs every 20 minutes between the start and finish. You can view timetables on the Traveline website.
The route is mostly flat or slightly hilly.
For more information and to plan your walk or cycle check out the Centurion Way leaflet which is currently being updated to include the new route extension.
Latest project update
The route extension is being completed in stages and each section will be opened when it’s safe and practical to do so.
The first phase of this extension, from West Dean tunnel to Cucumber Farm, will officially open to the public on the August Bank Holiday weekend, 23rd August, 2025.