SWC 407: Lewes Circular via Swanborough and Back Cap Hilltop t=swc.407
Train: Take the 9:48AM Southern service from London Bridge (yes, London Bridge!) (10:02 East Croydon), arriving Lewes at 10:50. Direct return trains from Lewes are hourly at 21 past the hour.
Distance: 14.5 miles/23.3 km with shorter options available -- see the walk notes for ideas -- including alternative endings and bringing a picnic to avoid the loop to the pub.
Difficulty: 6 out of 10 -- Good prep for those going to Scotland!
This undulating walk takes in Lewes Priory, Swanborough, the South Downs Way, Black Cap Hill top and Lewes Old Race Course. If you thought you knew the area around Lewes, this walk may surprise you! More information and the walk directions can be found here.
Lunch: The recommended lunch stop is the Half Moon (01273 890 253) in Plumpton which involves a detour (3km) and is reached after 15.7 km. It serves food until 4pm on Sunday. It would be wise to call ahead!
Tea: Various options back in Lewes.....see the walk notes for ideas!
2 comments:
#11 off the train at Lewes (plus a four legged walker). 3 may have done a different SDW route as we didn't see them after leaving Lewed outskirts. The 8 others stayed reasonably together until reaching the A27 where 4 visited Housedean farm for tea/coffee and were not seen again. The remaining 4 continued with 2 picnicking at Black Cap and the other 2 carrying on to Plumpton for food at the Half Moon. The 2 picnickers then descended to the Half Moon where 1 walker was having a drink and the other walker had carried on to Lewes with the main walk - reason being the staff said food was only available if you'd phoned ahead (although they seemed to make exception for a later group). The Half Moon 3 then walked together Lewes. A good route with some testing climbs and one scenic descent, great views in #clear-sunny weather with a strong breeze at elevation. Not many bluebells on this walk, however a farmer's field of unknown purple flowers was passed and large patches of gorse in bloom.
Purple Tansy, used as a green manure and ploughed into the soil during a fallow year.
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