15.5km (9.6 miles). 4 out of 10.
A fine South Downs walk offering panoramic views. From the historic town of Lewes, the route rises onto the Downs then descends into Rodmell for lunch. Then a gentle climb back over the Downs to reach the sea at Saltdean. From here you can either catch a bus to Brighton (frequent service) or walk through some (or all 😬) of the way there along the seafront. (It's a further 5.25 miles in total). Play your cards right, you might even glimpse them famous starlings murmurating out at sea. (If that’s not a word, it should be).
Trains
9.46 Ore train from Victoria (Clapham Junction: 9:53, East Croydon 10:05) arriving Lewes 10:55
Return from Brighton at xx: 09 and xx:39 to Victoria. There are also Thameslink trains to London Bridge at xx:17 xx:29 and xx:59.
A return to Lewes covers Brighton.
If you use contactless on Brighton buses, tap out again on leaving to avoid paying maximum fare.
Lunch
Abergavenny Arms, Rodmell, (01273 572416).
Tea
Whitecliffs Beach Café, Marine Drive, Saltdean (01273 309219).
There are more choices in Rottingdean, a further 1.2 km in the direction of Brighton. (St Margaret's church there has windows by Burne-Jones). Mollys at the Beach open till 5:30, SeaSpray on the High St open till 4.
Walk Directions: here.
T=2.24
3 comments:
N was 11, I think.
Fairly good views, on an overcast day. The 1st sister could be seen fairly clearly from the top of the downs.
5 had a great lunch in the Abergavenny. Harvey's Old was on, and went down very well.
The usual splitting into groups meant we hoped we didn't lose anyone.
Three of us enjoyed coffee and a bite to keep going overlooking the sea at the Saltdean Whitecliffs cafe.
I had stayed overnight in Lewes after yesterday's walk (or half walk as I had joined at the lunchtime pub).
N=11 w=overcast
n=6 eschewed the pub on this unusually popular walking day. A dozen walkers marched past Lewes station as we assembled, never to be seen again, and we were joined at our picnic spot at the top of Mill Hill by about 20 members of the Brighton Walk and Talk group, who were convivial company and at least one of whom was a previous SWC walker. Down to Cricketing Bottom, mercifully less muddy than usual, and on to sleepy Telscombe, where the church was locked but the first snowdrops were peeping through. My 1:25000 OS map shows a Youth Hostel there which, according to Gavin, was open 10 years ago when he stayed, but closed not long after. Very pleasant walking weather saw our group of four down to Saltdean, two to catch the bus to Brighton, two to linger over tea and cake before following.
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