Length: 21.3 km (13.2 mi)
Ascent: 510m
Net Walking Time: 5 ¼ hours
Toughness: 6 out of 10
Take the 09.24 Eastbourne train from Victoria (09.31 CJ,
09.40 EC), change at Lewes (10.26/10.30, Seaford train),
arriving Bishopstone 10.45.
Take an earlier train to Lewes if you want
to avoid the 4 minute ‘Lewes-Dash’ up and over to the far platform
(there is a café on the platform and another one by the gates).
Return trains: xx.27 and xx.56.
A demanding walk with spectacular views and 6 distinct climbs, from the
sea over the Comp and the South Downs to Berwick, returning via an equally
undulating route, featuring two separate climbs up to the South Downs, first
from the sea, then from the North. There is no coastal walking (but plenty of
sea views) and very little ridge walking, but there are a series of climbs
before you reach the Downs and after you think you have left them behind but
also a level section between Berwick and Alciston.
Tea: The Galley
Papachino’s Café and The
Tide at the Buckle, both just past the station on Marine Parade. Or
walk on to Seaford for pubs...
For walk directions, map, height profile, and gpx/kml
files click here . T=swc.379
3 comments:
Now i might do the Walk on Saturday. I can't guarantee I will. But I am just wondering. What will be the Return Ticket?
I'd say buy a return to Seaford, which is the same price as Bishopstone but gives more flexibility coming back.
#12 (plus one four legged walker) off the train at Bishopstone at the designated start time. The train was standing room only from Victoria to Bishopstone, with lots of youngsters headed for Seaford to do the Seven Sisters. A few of us mused this would be a good opportunity to distribute SWC flyers to inform them of all the other great walks nearby.
3 of the group planned to follow the South Downs Way without the up and down of the main walk. The other 9 kept together throughout the whole walk in perfect walking weather #sunny-and-clear. Good views out to sea and in other directions made the hill climbs rewarding. Berwick church must be one of the finer village churches with its wall paintings. Lunch was at the Cricketers in Berwick, sitting in the beer garden in sunshine (4 picnickers joining for drinks). Interesting cricket memorabilia inside as the name suggests. The group of 9 continued on, encountering another SWC walker doing a different solo route. Arriving at Bishopstone station around 430pm, 3 continued to Seaford with the rest taking the train. The 3 walkers from the morning were on the same train, having met another SWC regular during their walk (making it #14 in total).
Trains were less busy back to London, though still busy with many Brighton football fans heading home around the same time.
Overall an excellent day with fine weather and company
Post a Comment