Centurion Way
The Centurion Way is an 11km (6.8 miles) cycling and walking path between Chichester, Lavant and West Dean. It follows the old, dismantled Chichester to Midhurst railway line, which was fully closed by 1991 and the name is based on the fact that the path crosses the course of a Roman road.
The Centurion Way provides a safe and sustainable link for walkers, cyclists and the less able between Chichester and the heart of the South Downs National Park. Starting in Chichester (near Bishop Luffa School) the route currently finishes at West Dean and SDNPA are responsible for the unbound gravel section of path only, from north of Lavant to West Dean.
Led by the South Downs National Park Authority working with a range of partners and landowners, the route is currently being extended from West Dean to Cocking to link up with the 100-mile long South Downs Way National Trail.
This is a complex project that will take several years to complete, and it’s hoped the extension will be finished in 2026/27.
Please click on the tab for Centurion Way extension project for updates on the work.
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 .
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 current forecast is to open the first sections of the route in late spring 2025.