Length: 20.5 km (12.7 miles). Toughness: 7/10
Catch the 9:54 from London Victoria arrives Berwick 11:25. (Change at Lewes arr. 10:56, dep. 11:14)
Direct return trains from Eastbourne xx:05 xx:33
Buy a day return to Eastbourne.
Lunch either at The Long Man Wilmington 4.9km into the walk or The Eight Bells, Jevington after 10.8km.
Due to the time of year, it probably wont be possible to complete the walk in daylight. (Sunset 16:07, civil twilight 16:46.) However soon after Jevington the route joins the South Downs Way and is straightforward and manageable with diffuse light from Eastbourne.
Note: This walk was published Saturday 7th December 2024 coinciding with a severe storm - there was no report back of anyone going on this walk (only 2 went on the Kent walk and 1 on the Chiltern walk that day).
T=2.27
7 comments:
David,
Having checked the weather, I am inclined to do this.
Austen
Further:
I am known now for taking the train one or two before these late scheduled trains.
Austen
Yes hoping to do this walk but what time does Lewes train stop at Clapham Junction Jane Blinking media turning us all into wets !!!
Seems to be the 10 01 Ore train !!
Haven't checked the weather, I will be on this walk, not going to pass on it unlike December 7h
#N=8, #W=cold_frosty_light_wind_cloudy, The ground was frozen solid at the start, although there were some patches of ice which gave way to mud below or a furrow full of water. We failed the first challenge of the day to return two horses to their field, someone probably left a gate open. They were waiting patiently by the gate to get back but did not want move with all of us standing around. Lunch at the Longman Inn was good with the Longman best bitter being served in perfect condition direct from the cask, avoiding the metallic taste often present with beer pumps and chillers. Food was good too, this pub has upped its game offering breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. Its popular now, with most tables reserved, we got the last free table and another became free in time for the food. The afternoon was a bit more fragmented, one got the bus, one took a short cut to Folkington Church, the rest went to the foot on the Long Man where one went west to join the NDW. At Folkington Church, on more dropped out to get the train from Polegate. I assume the remaining four got to Eastbourne.
n=10 actually
I missed the connection from London Bridge due to a 20 minutes or so gap in the service to Croydon due to an 'obstruction on the line' north of LBG, so - having missed that connection by 3 minutes or so - decided to take the next train to Polegate (rather than wait an hour for the next Berwick service) and make my way to the route somewhere near the Long Man. Much to my surprise, another SWC walker alighted at Polegate, she having been at Lewes Station on time for the Berwick train but somehow missing it by being stuck in the facilities (or somesuch).
On we went through Polegate and Wanning, across to Folkington Church and reverse-walking the route towards Wilmington, but then decided to turn left up onto the downs and pick up the SDW and head for The Eight Bells, where we assumed we'd meet the other SWCies. Not so. After a very rewarding lunch (East Sussex Pub of the Year 2024, apparently), we strode on at pace (into the wind) and in E'bourne took the town route direct to the station.
Having missed the 17.04 by a couple of minutes, the Spoon's was calling, where a few minutes later the walk author and poster arrived. We skipped the next train and finally headed home on the 18.05.
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