There is another strike today by ASLEF train drivers affecting nine rail companies. Southern is not one of the nine, so the assumption is normal train services will operate on Southern routes today, including services to and from Uckfield and Lewes. If closer to the date this changes today's walk might have to be postponed - but let's hope not.
Length: 20.9 km (13 miles). Shorter ending, avoiding climb onto Downs, 18.2 km (11.3 miles)
Toughness: 4 out of 10 Flat in the morning, then one steady climb up onto the South Downs. With shorter ending, which avoids the climb: 2 out of 10
London Bridge: 09-07 hrs Southern service to Uckfield East Croydon 09-22 hrs
Arrive Uckfield: 10-22 hrs
Return
Lewes to London Victoria: Southern services at 27 & 57 mins past the hour Change at East Croydon for London Bridge
Rail ticket: a day return to Lewes should be accepted at Uckfield
Leaving Uckfield the start of this walk has proved to be a little problematic in the past, with some overgrown sections after inner town walking. Sean has kindly added an alternative start by gpx which you are invited to follow. Once out of town when today's country walk really gets going, you should enjoy a relaxing walk along the river valleys of the Ouse and Uck. Some two hours into the walk you stop at a pub on the west bank of the River Ouse, the popular - The Anchor Inn.
After lunch you continue along the valley before skirting the village of Ringmer. When you reach Barcombe it's decision time: you can avoid a climb by taking the Sussex Ouse Valley Way to Lewes, or you can continue on the main walk, with a climb onto the South Downs, Once on top your reward for the effort is some lovely views as you walk along a plateau above Glyndebourne. On then to Lewes golf course to drop down a steep road - Chapel Hill - into the centre of Lewes. Pubs, cafes and restaurants in this town await your custom for walk-end refreshments: you have a nice choice.
T=swc.272
Walk Directions are here: L=swc.272
6 comments:
The alternative route mentioned by Marcus is something I came up with recently, having remembered previous grumblings about overgrown paths at the start of this walk. There are no written directions so only take this option if you're happy to follow the route on your phone app.
After a short climb up the road the route goes through a recreation ground, cuts through a small wood (with a maze of narrow paths to negotiate) and joins a diverted public footpath descending through a rather scruffy area being cleared for new housing. A new foot tunnel under the A26 takes you into Horsted Green Park, which you exit onto a lane almost opposite the 'signed footpath' at the start of para 16 in the directions. It's 1½ km shorter than the main route.
If you take this route please give some feedback in order to help the walk author decide whether it should be added to the written directions, either as an alternative route or a replacement.
Another alternative, would be to do this as a circular walk from Lewes using the two afternoon sections of the walk route. eg reversing the route from Barcombe to Lewes along the Sussex Ouse Valley Way in the morning and after lunch picking up the main route from Barcombe to Lewes via Ringer. That would give a walk of ~ 11.2 miles (18km), of which 4.9 miles ( 7.8km) in the morning and 6.4 miles (10.2km) in the afternoon.
You'd need to use a map or GPS as the written instructions don't reverse the route from Barcombe.
Thanks Daisy Roots, your suggestion is indeed a possible alternative, but for clarity, today's walk starts in Uckfield - and ends in Lewes.
We can always post your suggested alternative walk on another occasion.
As tomorrow is forecast to be very hot, you may like to take advantage of a swimming opportunity in the River Ouse, anywhere between Isfield and Barcombe Mills, either before lunch or after lunch. Just watch out for the many rowing boats on hire from the Anchor Inn.
Just #2 on this walk on a very hot day, including the walk's author. Neither had gpx on their phone so were unable to try out Sean's alternative start. The normal route was not overgrown, however, not even the notorious green lane at para 15 , which provided a welcome shady short cut and some relief from the heat. We separated just before lunch when one took a cooling dip in the River Ouse while the other continued ahead. After replenishing water supplies in Ringmer, the late afternoon climb over the downs was uniquely enjoyed in perfect solitude, with not a soul to be seen until the descent down Chapel Hill to savour a refreshing pint of Harvey's in the 'Rights of Man'.
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