SWC 47: The Great Lewes Circular (Anticlockwise) – An Energetic Walk over the South Downs with Great views, Three Hills and a Ridge t=swc.47
Distance: 14 Miles (or 10.7 if stopping in Glynde) – for the more metrically minded, that would be, 23.5km or 17.2 km, respectively.
Difficulty: 7 out of 10
Train: Take the 9:54 Bexhill train from London Victoria (10:01 from Clapham Junction and 10:10 from East Croydon), arriving at Lewes at 10:56. Return trains from Lewes are at 25 and 55 minutes past the hour. For those opting to end the walk in Glynde, the trains from Glynde are at 15 minutes past the hour. Buy a day return to Lewes (or Glynde if planning to stop there).
This is an energetic walk over three distinct downland ridges with magnificent views throughout. For most of the day, you can see your onward route in front of you and your previous route behind. While there are three substantial climbs, most of the walk is gently undulating across grassy downland. For those who linger over drinks at the reopened Trevor Arms or Glynde Steamworks, there could be an opportunity for an ample moon nocturnal walk over the last downland hill into Lewes. The walk can be shortened by catching the train from Glynde back to Lewes. Fingers crossed for some clear skies and dry weather to fully enjoy this epic walk. Further information and the walk instructions can be found here.
The recommended lunchtime pub is the Abergavenny Arms in Rodmell (01273 572 416) , about 5.5 miles into the walk. Tea and other afternoon refreshments can be had at the Trevor Arms or the Glynde Steamworks in Glynde. Lewes also has a wide variety of tea shops, pubs and restaurants at the end of the walk.
Look forward to seeing you on the walk!!!
3 comments:
#N=26, #W=sunny_with_breeze, spring has sprung in Lewes with daffodils in the park and lining the track up to the windmill for the first climb of the day. As we crossed the A27 on a very high bridge we could see the whole of the day's circular route before us. It was not as windy on the top as forecast and still quite muddy in places but overall the South Downs stay dry underfoot in winter. The Ouse valley looked very wet with lots of standing water, I don't think the river had breached its banks but the fields are completely saturated. Despite a little confusion over table bookings, the Abergavenny Arms provided lunch for about half our number with most of us eating outside in warm sunshine. This popular pub always seems to cope well with lots of walkers coming in and serves good food very efficiently. The second hill of the day separated the group with one or two doing the extension via Firle. It was good to see the Trevor Arms in Glynde open again and busy with a couple of speedy walkers stopping for some strange pink refreshment. The majority stopped in the Steamworks Glynde on the station platform before waiting for darkness to tackle the last hill by moonlight. Glynde has gone from zero pubs to two recently and both seem to be doing well. I caught the 16:15 from Glynde so I don't know how the moonlight section worked out.
I reckon about n=23 assembled at the Lewes station exit.... it was quite a crowd! After formalities, we set off in w=blustery-but-sunny-conditions. The views from the ridges were far and wide, valleys and sea. The group descended to Rodmell and the Abergavenny Arms where we thought a table was booked -- but unfortunately, the booking was for the wrong Abergavenny Arms! Despite this set back, i think about 8 managed to get tables inside and a further 10 or so sat outside in the warm sunshine -- what a delight! After lunch, it was back up on the downs with more spendid views. I think most stopped at the Steamworks in Glynde for refreshments where 11 decided to have a second round and wait until dusk for a moonlit walk and observation of the 6 planet alignment. Up on the last ridge, the moon was bright as was Jupiter... sadly a line of cloud along the western horizon obscured 4 of the other planets -- though there was some speculation on a glimpse of Mercury, Saturn and Uranus... Back in Lewes, 10 rounded out the day with a meal in Bills. A fabulous day out in fine Spring conditions with great company!
Ooopps.... apologies for the duplicate....crosding reports....
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