Length:
23.3 km (14.5 mi) [3 km less if not descending to the
lunch pub in Plumpton]
Ascent/Descent:
527m
Net
Walking Time: ca. 6 hours
Toughness:
6 out
of 10
Take
the 09.24 Eastbourne train from Victoria (CJ 09.31, EC
09.40), arrives Lewes at 10.26.
From
LBG,
take the 09.15 Brighton train and change at Haywards Heath (10.00/10.08).
Return
trains: xx.25 and
xx.55.
From
the blurb:
“If
you thought you knew Lewes and the surrounding South Downs, this walk may
surprise you. It follows a Book 2 alternative walk as far as Swanborough, then
climbs up to the Downs by a track called Breach Road. It follows the South
Downs Way (SDW), more North than South, as far as Black Cap. Be warned that on
a windy day there is little shelter – the descent to Housedean Farm offers some
respite, but not for your ears, as you have to cross over the A27. A late lunch
is possible by descending again to Plumpton, an optional loop which is included
in the distance. The approach to Lewes is via the old racecourse, using a
bridleway which is still popular with horses today.”
Walk
Options:
From Housedean Farm on the A27 you can catch a bus
28/29 (the Regency Route) which runs regularly seven days a week between
Brighton, Lewes and Tunbridge Wells (so you could do the walk in two shorter
stages).
After lunch you could catch a train from Plumpton.
For this option, go on the footpath from the top corner of the pub’s garden and
it will take you all the way to the station.
Tea:
Plenty of options. See webpage or pdf for details.
2 comments:
Note that there was a path closure in July (see paragraph 4). If this is still the case you need to follow the sports fields as briefly explained in the directions. I believe that the closure order is still in place, but work may have finished.
Mike
The great minds at Thameslink had a brainwave and put on an extra Fast Train to Brighton just before the 09.15 from LBG, which despite that was still rammed, mostly with folk going to Brighton (do they have a beach there or something?), but the Eastbourne train from Victoria was as normal: some seats available.
There were the usual plethora of walking groups on the train: Capital doing Hassocks to Lewes, Outdooraholics doing the 7 Sisters in good size and some genteel LDWA folk warbling on about their 30 milers and 50 milers, while staying on to Eastbourne seemingly.
Compared to those large numbers of walkers, a diminutive 3 SWC-cies emerged from the train, being met by a 4th one outside (not the walk author). We set off in very warm weather, soon getting hot, put in the odd stop for drinking some water and made good use of the shade provided by trees, hedges and buildings. There was more shade than one would have thought, actually...
Through the Priory and on up the Downs, where the hoped-for breeze materialised, not strong, not continuous but there often enough to make a difference.
Stupendous views as one would expect including a few sights other SWC walks don't really offer: the AMEX Stadium, a few high rises in Brighton plus that silly spiralling viewing thingie they have down there. We eventually got to the turnoff for the Plumpton pub around 14.00 hours, where 2 turned right towards Lewes and 2 left to the pub. This is a nice loop even if involves a steep and steady re-ascent (mostly in woods though). The pub is Ok to good, I'd say. Food was average, service was trying hard and the drinks were good.
By the time I reached Lewes I had 'lost' walker 4, no doubt distracted by butterflies again (he spotted 13 different types, so probably had a good day?). 17.25 train
A very fine route. Encountered on the Downs: plenty of cyclists, some walkers (mostly SDW completists by the looks of them), and 1 jogger going uphill in the midday heat.
w=sunny-and-hot-with-some-breeze-on-the-tops-at-times n=4
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