14.4km (8.9 miles) or 12.4 km (11.9 miles)
7 out of 10: two extended hill climbs, otherwise flat or gently undulating
Over the South Downs to the sea. Through Wilmington, with its famous Long Man figure, through Alfriston, a stretch of riverside, up and over High-and-Over-Hill, and then on to Exceat. You can finish the walk there by catching a bus to Seaford or continue via Cuckmere Haven and a cliffside walk to Seaford.
Trains
9:46 from Victoria, change at Lewes (arr 10:52, dep.11:13, platform 3) reaching Berwick at 11:24.
Return from Seaford xx:59 (fastest) to Victoria changing at Lewes platform 2, or …. xx: 33 changing at Brighton for London Bridge.
A day return to Berwick will usually be accepted from Seaford. If not, you may have to pay a single back to Lewes.
To end the walk at Exceat, catch a 12, 12a or 12x bus to Seaford from the Seven Sisters Visitor Centre stop (every 10-15 minutes).
Lunch An early option is the Long Man Inn in Wilmington (01323 368 525) (Wilmington church has an old yew and a charming "bee and butterfly" window).
Or save yourself for the George Inn (01323 870 319) in Alfriston after 5.8 miles. There are several teahouse there, too.
'Tea', Exceat There's the Cuckmere Inn (01323 892 247) by the Cuckmere, or, perhaps handier for the bus, the "Grab and Go" (hot /cold drinks, cakes, sandwiches etc.) in the Visitor Centre courtyard open till 5
Tea, Seaford
There is, reputedly, a tea kiosk on the seafront open until about 6pm, also the pleasant Plough Inn, just before the church. However, a walker's favourite is the Steamworks micropub on the station, which serves coffee, tea and cakes as well as beer, and is open till late.
Directions: here T=swc.90
3 comments:
Alex Polizzi has a lovely hotel now in Alfriston .Lunch is available there for approx £20 Maybe would need to book Jane
#12 off the train at Berwick for a gentle walk to Wilmington and then up the slope past the Long Man (or just taking the low road) to find the track down to Alfriston, its church, the "cathedral of the Downs" visible from several miles. Some dined at the George, others basked in the sun on the village green. Walking on down the Cuckmere valley to the sea, in #bright-and-sunny-weather- with-a-blustery-wind
Pressed publish accidentally! Only to add that some took the bus from Exceat to Seaford, others (presumably) walked there via Seaford head, many taking advantage of the Steamworks bar at the station.
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