# Getting to The Marden: by car, train and bus

> The Marden is on West Marden Farm in West Sussex, about 66 miles from central London, which is two to two and a half hours by car. The fastest train is London Waterloo to Petersfield in 1 hour 2 minutes, then about 9 miles by taxi, and the nearest station is Rowlands Castle, 3.7 miles away. You need a car once you are here.

- **From London:** 66 miles, 2 to 2.5 hours
- **Fastest train:** Waterloo to Petersfield, 1h02
- **Nearest station:** Rowlands Castle, 3.7 miles
- **Parking:** Free, on the farm

## By car

Most guests drive. These times assume a reasonably clear road, so add more on a Friday evening or a summer Saturday.

- Central London: about 66 miles. Plan on 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes.
- Heathrow Airport: about 56 miles, about 1 hour 30 minutes.
- Gatwick Airport: about 46 miles, about 1 hour 30 minutes.
- Southampton Airport: about 30 miles, about 50 minutes.
- Portsmouth International Port, for the ferries: about 15 miles, about 30 minutes.

## By train

Five stations are within 11 miles. None is within walking distance, so book a taxi before you travel. Journey times are the typical fastest in 2026, so check the current timetable.

- Petersfield: about 9 miles, 20 minutes by taxi. Direct from London Waterloo in 1 hour 2 minutes. The fastest way from London.
- Rowlands Castle: 3.7 miles, about 10 minutes. Direct from London Waterloo every hour, in about 1 hour 25 minutes. The nearest station.
- Havant: about 7 miles, 15 minutes. Direct from London Waterloo in 1 hour 15 minutes.
- Emsworth: about 6.5 miles, 15 minutes. Direct from London Victoria in about 1 hour 45 minutes.
- Chichester: about 11 miles, 20 to 25 minutes. Direct from London Victoria in 1 hour 32 minutes.

## By bus

The Stagecoach 54 runs between Chichester and Petersfield by way of Funtington, South Harting and Rogate. It stops at West Marden, by the pond, and at Compton and Walderton Bridge.

There are five journeys each way from Monday to Saturday and none on Sunday. It is a council-supported route and these things change, so check the timetable before you rely on it.

## What to know before you arrive

You need a car. The farm is in a quiet valley, and that is the reason people come, but it means the shops, the beaches and Goodwood are all a drive away. The last few miles are on narrow lanes.

Mobile signal in the valley is poor on every network except EE. The wifi indoors is fast, so use wifi calling, and load your directions before you leave the main road.

All the main supermarkets deliver to the farm. Check-in is from 4pm, so book the delivery for after that. The nearest shop is in Rowlands Castle, five minutes by car, and there is a village shop and tea room in Compton, under a mile away, though check its hours. The Victoria Inn is a very short walk.

Parking is free at each of the three homes. Each has a keypad on the door, so you can arrive when it suits you. Send us a WhatsApp if you would like directions.

## From the farm

Once you are here, [Chichester](https://themarden.co.uk/local/chichester) is about 10 miles, [Goodwood](https://themarden.co.uk/local/goodwood) about 11, and the nearest pubs and villages are in [the Mardens](https://themarden.co.uk/local/the-mardens) guide. Our [food and drink](https://themarden.co.uk/local/food-and-drink) page has the farm shops.

A stay without a car can work if you come to walk. Take a taxi from the station, have the groceries delivered, eat at the Victoria Inn and use the [Octagon walks](https://themarden.co.uk/local/octagon-walks) from the door, with the 54 into Chichester on a weekday or Saturday. For anything else you will want wheels.

All three homes, [Keepers](https://themarden.co.uk/stay/keepers), [The Old Stables](https://themarden.co.uk/stay/the-old-stables) and [Barley Cottage](https://themarden.co.uk/stay/barley-cottage), sleep four. Outside school holidays we take shorter stays, which suits a [short break from London](https://themarden.co.uk/breaks/short-breaks-from-london).

## Questions

### How far is West Marden from London?

About 66 miles from central London. Plan on 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes by car. By train, London Waterloo to Petersfield takes 1 hour 2 minutes, followed by about 9 miles by taxi.

### What is the nearest train station to West Marden?

Rowlands Castle, 3.7 miles away, with a direct hourly train from London Waterloo in about 1 hour 25 minutes. Petersfield, about 9 miles away, has the fastest train from London at 1 hour 2 minutes.

### Do you need a car to stay at The Marden?

Yes, for most stays. The village pub is a very short walk and there are walks from the door, but shops, beaches and Goodwood are a drive away. Supermarkets deliver to the farm.

### Is there a bus to West Marden?

Yes. The Stagecoach 54 between Chichester and Petersfield stops at West Marden, with five journeys each way from Monday to Saturday and no Sunday service. Check the current timetable.

### How far is West Marden from Gatwick and Heathrow?

Gatwick is about 46 miles and Heathrow about 56 miles. Allow about an hour and a half from either on a clear road. Southampton Airport is about 30 miles, around 50 minutes.

### Is there mobile signal at West Marden?

Only on EE. Signal in the valley is poor on every other network. There is fast wifi indoors, so use wifi calling.

## Related

- [A two or three night break in the South Downs, from London](https://themarden.co.uk/breaks/short-breaks-from-london.md)
- [The Mardens and their neighbours: Compton, Stoughton and Racton](https://themarden.co.uk/local/the-mardens.md)
- [Pubs near West Marden, nearest first](https://themarden.co.uk/local/pubs.md)
- [Farm shops and vineyards near West Marden: where to stock the fridge](https://themarden.co.uk/local/food-and-drink.md)
- [A day in Chichester: cathedral, theatre, galleries and a Roman palace](https://themarden.co.uk/local/chichester.md)
- [Keepers: a house for two couples, with a bath in every bedroom](https://themarden.co.uk/stay/keepers.md)

## Booking

Book direct with The Marden at https://themarden.co.uk (no booking fees), or message us on WhatsApp: https://wa.me/447822026091. West Marden Farm, West Marden, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 9EN.

Page: https://themarden.co.uk/local/getting-here · Last updated 2026-11-14