It is a matter of opinion which is the finest view in south east England, but the amazing panorama from Devil's Dyke on the South Downs escarpment must surely be a strong contender. Also less frequented viewpoints including tranquil Wolstonbury Hill and Edburton Hill.
The morning in particular is a delightful series of climbs and descents on slopes covered by rare chalk grassland. In the afternoon - which is somewhat easier on the leg muscles, though still with a couple of short uphill sections - you follow the South Downs Way for a while across Fulking Escarpment, then a high route along a quiet road, with fine views of the Adur valley, and then detours via a farm and the Mill Hill Nature Reserve (a great place to see adonis blue butterflies in May, late August and early September), to join the Adur river path near to Shoreham.
Trains: Get the 0946 Littlehampton train from Victoria (Clapham 0953, East Croydon 1004). Return trains from Shoreham-by-sea at xx42 and xx12 to Victoria. At the time of writing, cheap advance tickets are available. If ending in Upper Beeding, you will need to get a bus to Shoreham from the Rising sun. (Bus 2 towards Rottingdean: 1445, 1547, 1652). Buy a return to Shoreham-by-sea.
3 comments:
What time to meet at Hassocks station to start
Train arrives at Hassocks at 10:43
Surprisingly, n=9 at the station given the forecast, including a regular south coast small dog. Group cohesion broke down after an hour or so with 5 striding ahead. W=windy of course, and we did get buffeted about, but also stretches of calm. Generally sunny except for a brief rain storm, witnessed by 3 of us through the pub window. By lunch, it was 2 ahead on a picnic, 3 in the pub and 4 in the willow tree cafe, reported as very good.
The three of us in the pub, were briefly joined by the small dog, who left to take a different route home. We 3 did the walk into Shoreham, enjoying the great views on this walk. After a stop at the Tap for a beer, we got the 1742, meeting the 3 from the cafe group for the train home. Everyone enjoyed the walk and had a great day out.
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