Length: 18km (11.2 miles), 5 hours 30 minutes. T=1.29
"This is an exhilarating walk along the South Downs Way, a ridge of South Downs chalk grassland with panoramic views inland and out to the sea by Brighton. On the way up to the ridge, the route passes Butcher's Wood and visits a church in Clayton and a still-working Clayton Windmill. The friends of Jack and Jill windmill sometimes serve tea on weekends.
On the South Downs Way you pass medieval dew ponds and an Iron Age fort at Ditchling Beacon. After lunch, down below in Plumpton, you climb back up onto the downs, before a final walk into Lewes along the River Ouse, then up to the Norman castle and through its gateway into the ancient High Street. "
Trains: Get the 0946 Southern train from Victoria (Clapham 0953, East Croydon 1004) arriving 1043.
Return trains xx25 and xx55. Buy a Lewes return.
Rail Sale fares, available to the 20th January, are £3.50 each way. These have to be booked as advance singles and are only available on Southern.
A note on return trains: if you check the history of this walk, and plan a picnic, you would probably get the 1625, with a drink, the 1655. Lewes is a nice place so perhaps relax and get the 1725? Feedback on these timings is welcome!
Lunch: The suggested lunchtime pub is the Half Moon (tel 01273 890 253) in Plumpton, some 9.3 km into the walk, which welcomes walkers and serves food from midday to 3 pm. "Groups of 4 or more people should phone to book and booking for all at weekends is recommended." The pub has pleasant internal and outside dining areas.
Tea: Lots of choice, so worth arranging during the walk, but for me, The Landsdown Arms near the station.
8 comments:
If you can't face climbing back up to the Downs after a heavy lunch, Walk 407 'Alternative ending at Plumpton' might offer a lifeline!
Interestingly the train schedule shows departure from Victoria at 0924 or 0954 which will arrive Lewes at 1026 or 1056. Which one should I book?
@Joe: neither. The walk starts from Hassocks and the Lewes trains don't go there. If cheap Rail Sale tickets are still available, PeteG is saying that you can buy a single to Hassocks for the 09:46 and a single back from Lewes (but you have to pick a specific train). "Buy a return to Lewes" is the standard advice when cheap sale tickets aren't on offer.
Thank you so much, Sean. I missed the starting point will be in Hassock 😅
Noting Mike's comment below, I have taken the liberty of adding his Plumpton Railway Station walk ending (in SWC 407) to the Directions for today's walk - Hassocks to Lewes - just in case anyone wants a shorter and easier walk today. Thanks Mike.
Thanks Marcus, hope my October mud-fest proves of use to anyone who has lost track of time or overdosed on sticky toffee pudding. Trains from Plumpton are hourly only at x33 and there's nothing at the station.
The weather gods were with us today, giving perfect weather for the walk, w=sunshine_&_stillness. N=22 in total with 1 early start and 1 late. Around 10 ate in the pub, with 2 going to Plumpton. The start was inauspious, with mud straight after the station, but mostly fine walking underfoot. Clear views throughout. Lunch split the group, with most picnicers staying on top. There was some debate about tea and cake, and we need a recommendation for that in Lewes for those not focusing on the pub! I think 8 got the 1725, I assume the others earlier trains. We all had a good day out.
Just to add Tea places at Lewes: 4 went to Caffe Nero on high street, I Googled tea room near me while on the high street, it made a couple of suggestions close by. So 4 others went to Carafe Coffee Roasters at 29 Station Street, BN7 2DB, and met another walker who started late. The place serves a variety of tea in pot and a selection of declicious cakes (including a few vegan options). It was packed soon after we sat down. It closes at 5pm, 4-5 mins walk from the Lewes Station. It would be a good choice for future tea breaks. Opposite Carafe, it is The tea Garden Lewes, 5 Station Street, BN7 2DA. This was our first choice from the Google search, but the owner said to us to come back in an hour. Not sure what was that all about, but the internet photos of the place looks very very enticing, worth checking it out next time too.
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