Polegate to Eastbourne

Extra Walk - Polegate to Eastbourne

Length: 20 km (12.4 miles). Toughness: 7/10

Catch the 9:54 from London Victoria  (CJ 10:01, EC 10:10) arrives Polegate 11:09. Buy a day return to Eastbourne. Return trains from Eastbourne xx:05 xx:33 direct until 22:05. 

A variation of this walk (Polegate to Seaford) was done in the early 2000s. I did think it was documented on this site - although I can't find it. Anyway it is fairly straightforward.

 

Basic directions to the coast:

From Polegate station head SSW (~200°) from Polegate station along the High Street for ~250m. Cross the Eastbourne road to continue in the same direction along Wannock road as it slowly curves left dir 170°. After ~900m at a triangle green, keep to the main (Jevington) road by veering right for ~150m to then turn left here up a gravel car wide track to join a footpath, SE to a crosspaths after ~1km at TQ582029 and turn right to join the Wealdway, initial direction SSW to after ~2km go across a cross-path with the SDW to leave the Wealdway and continue SSW across Willingdon Hill for ~2km to reach a path junction at TV564996. Turn left here, direction S for 1km to come out to a cul-de-sac and continue down it in the same direction SW and in 50m fork left down Summerdown Lane, then onto Michel Dene Rd to then cross Friston Hill (A259), to take the footpath on the other side which will lead to East Dean village green and the Tiger Inn. 

After lunch take the Went Way S to join the path leading to the coast. Turn left for Eastbourne, turn right for Seaford.

Link to the gpx file from Polegate to Birling Gap after which the route to Eastbourne is fairly straightforward and helped by reference to the Seaford to Eastbourne directions here.

Due to the time of year, it will not be possible to complete the walk in daylight. (Sunset 16:09, civil twilight 16:47.) That said the route is straightforward and manageable. However if you are in any doubt then your best option would be to retrace the route back to East Dean from Birling gap to catch a frequent bus into Eastbourne from East Dean.  

T=2.28