Length: 20.5 km (10.7 miles) 7/10
I've wanted to do this walk for a while; it takes in the South Downs, Wilmington Long Man - one of only two "human" chalk figures in England - a couple of interesting villages and maybe even a swim at the end. It's also a neat continuation for anyone doing the Lewes to Berwick walk on the 25th.
Travel: 0954 from Victoria (Clapham Junction 1001, East Croydon 1010), changing at Lewes for the 1114 arriving Berwick 1125. Returns from Eastbourne at 05 (NOTE THERE IS ONLY AN HOURLY SERVICE OWING TO THE ASLEF OVERTIME BAN BUT THE OUTBOUND TRAINS LOOK TO BE RUNNING OK). Change at Haywards Heath for London Bridge. Get a return to Eastbourne.
Lunch and tea:
The pub in Wilmington is sadly closed SEE MG'S COMMENT BELOW. A late pub option is the Eight
Bells High Street, Jevington,
BN26 5QB (01323 484442). This is 10.8
km into the walk - about half way - but it seems to be taking lunch
bookings till 2.45 so you should be fine. If anyone is ready for a
tea stop by then, the pleasant Jevington
Tea Garden (01323
489692; with some
inside tables) is 200 metres up the road from the Eight Bells. In
Eastbourne, Qualisea Fish
Restaurant (189 Terminus
Road Eastbourne BN21 3DH (01323 725203)
is recommended for those ready for a post-walk meal; there are plenty
of pubs including the Eagle, 57 South Street (01323
417799) which has a nice roof garden.
Shortening the walk: the best way to shorten the walk is to catch the 12/12A bus from the A259 to Eastbourne station, saving 4.3 km. The directions also describe a short walk following the main route to Folkington and then heading to nearby Polegate - 11.6 km altogether.
For walk directions, map and GPX click here
T=2.27
4 comments:
Having done the walk yesterday, happy to inform you that the closed Giant's Rest in Wilmington is now the open Long Man Inn. They didn't have a card with opening hours etc so best to check their website.
Thanks MG. It's a great setting so good to know there is something open there. All - the website says the pub is open all day and lunch service is 12-230
#7 arrived at Berwick on the train on a day of #sun-cloud-showers-and-very-strong-wind-on-top-of-the-Downs. Having read the comments on this walk we decided to try going to Wilmington via the Wealdway (start of walk 90). Although it was perfectly passable we encountered nettles, brambles, wild roses and broken stiles so goodness knows what the standard route would have been like. Hundreds of butterflies flew out of the hedgerows to meet us - I think they were painted ladies. Great view of the Long Man from the Wealdway approach.
Most of us picknicked in Wilmington then joined our dining correspondent for a quick drink in the re-christened Long Man Inn. Food and beer were pronounced excellent, the staff were very enthusiastic and the walls were festooned with Long Man-themed artworks in various styles - definitely a venture worth supporting.
On to Jevington at a fast pace, up the hill and into a very strong west wind which made the walk to the A259 a real battle. Three of us got the bus from there and were surprised to be in time for the 1705 train, so we eschewed the delights of Eastbourne and jumped on it. The others were reported to have reached the bandstand on the seafront around 5.30; hope they had a nice time there.
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