Length: At least 15.3km/9.5 miles, potentially up to 23km/14.4 miles if you continue to Brighton. 4/10
I thought I knew this area pretty well but until last year I wasn't aware of this route starting at Southease, walking up the Ouse valley to Kingston – but only the first half mile on the less than thrilling riverside path – then down to Rottingdean following the ridge to the west of the more well-trodden route to Saltdean. The Rottingdean finish involves catching the very regular bus to Brighton, but if the walk isn't long enough you can carry on along the coast as far as you like – Brighton is 5 miles of easy walking from Rottingdean but you could pick up the bus anywhere along the way. Swimming should be possible at Rottingdean.
Trains: 0954 from Victoria (Clapham Junction 1001 East Croydon 1010) changing at Lewes on to the 1100 arriving Southease 1107. There is only a 4 minute connection time which normally involves a dash across the station – quickest if you are in the middle of the train from London - so if we miss the connection we will start the walk in Lewes. This is 3.8km/2.4 miles shorter, so if we do that we can take the extension towards Brighton. Get a return to Southease.
Lunch: the Juggs (01273 472523) in Kingston (7.5km/4.6 miles into the walk) is described on the wak page as a popular and very pleasant country pub. Picnickers might want to wait until they have climbed the hill above Kingston. If we end up starting from Lewes we will get to Kingston too early but will probably get to Rottingdean in time for a late lunch.
Tea: Numerous options in Rottingdean. The nicest tea place is reported to be the Grange Tea Garden, behind the library, open to 5pm Wednesday to Sunday. Plenty more choice along the coast towards Brighton.
Longer and shorter walk options: As well as the possible extension to Brighton mentioned above, a loop back to Southease from Rottingdean is described in the text. Both add about 8km/5 miles. The text also suggests a shorter circular walk, dropping back down to Southease from the downs above Kingston. This is not much shorter than walking to Rottingdean but might be an option for drivers. But the easiest way to shorten the walk is to start from Lewes as per the fall-back option in the “trains” paragraph above.
For walk directions, map and GPX see L=swc.65
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The 16 walkers on the posted train had some early drama as it didn't reach Lewes till after 11, but we didn't have to activate the back-up plan because the Southease train waited for us and numerous others rushing between platforms.
Along with number 17 who was waiting for us at Southease, we mostly walked together to Kingston where most dived into the pub. I think three picknicked in the churchyard and I was one of four who headed to the windy hilltop for our stop. There we met number #18 who had walked from Lewes.
The five of us made a little diversion to visit an odd monument to a John Harvey Esq d. 1815. This allowed some but not all of the pub/churchyard lunchers to catch up. We passed a farm where the fire brigade was attending a big sileage heap on fire. We all split up again on the way to Rottingdean, with some going for tea in the recommended place and five of us to Shane's Kitchen – also quite good. Some then regrouped on the beach but only two swam in big waves, the rest of us heading for various buses. I don't know of anyone who walked on to Brighton.
Convivial refreshments on the 1744 train from Brighton for four of us – while we were shopping, the swimmers somehow managed to overtake us and get an earlier train. It was #sunny and breezy.
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