Length: 16.3 km (10.1 miles) 7/10
As the time approaches when the SWC hits Scotland, a hilly walk is called for. With other obvious choices already in the calendar, I propose an outing for this walk mainly along the South Downs Way, with what some claim to be the finest view in southern England, a charming farmyard cafe, and depending on your escape route from Upper Beeding (see below), the many delights of Shoreham-by-Sea after the walk.
Travel: 1005 from London Bridge (East Croydon 1019) to Hassocks arriving 1102. *This is a Thameslink train from Bedford so also stops at West Hampstead Thameslink 0939, St Pancras 0949, Farringdon 0954 etc if that helps avoid the Tube strike.* From Victoria you could get the 1016 (Clapham Junction 1023, East Croydon 1034) arriving 1113 and try to catch up.
There are three ways back from Upper Beeding:
the bus 100 scheduled at 1531, 1616, 1716 and 1825 to Burgess Hill – this is the next stop towards London from Hassocks
an hourly bus number 2 to Shoreham scheduled at approx 45 past the hour until 1940, or
walk on to Shoreham – two routes are described on the walk web page adding 4-5 km (2.5-3 miles).
Get a return to Shoreham-by-Sea unless you are definitely getting the 100 bus, in which case you just need a return to Hassocks. Got that?
Lunch: the Wildflour Cafe 7km (4.4 miles) into the walk, is an early stop. This farmyard cafe with tables pleasantly arranged around a courtyard, is open 10am to 4pm. Near the entrance to the cafe is a drinking water tap, and it also has toilets. Alternatively the Devil’s Dyke pub (01273 857256), 8.9km (5.5 miles) into the walk on the lip of the South Downs escarpment, is always busy but very efficient.
Tea: The Kings Head in Upper Beeding (01903 812196) is conveniently sited by the bus stop at the end of the walk, and has quite a large garden. The Old Tollgate Restaurant & Hotel and the Castle Inn Hotel in Bramber on the other side of the river Adur are two possible other tea options: for details see the walk directions pdf. Shoreham has a range of cafes and pubs, including the interesting Old Star micropub.The cafes are mainly in the pedestrianised area near the church.
L=2.23
3 comments:
Is anyone else travelling from Victoria?
I hope so, as I seem to get the only person on the Thameslink train: I just walked its entire length outward and back and saw no walkers I recognised!
Approximately #19 people (and a dog) started this walk on a lovely #sunny-breezy day. We briefly walked through some delightful fresh green woods, then onto the Downs under a blue and breezy sky.
Some lunched at the Wildflower Café (hearty vegetarian and vegan fare) while others picnicked there. We were entertained by some gigantic chickens and rooster pecking at our backpacks. The group split here; around 12 headed off whilst the remainder finished off their lunch and took a leisurely walk over Devil’s Dyke with beautiful views. I don’t think anyone stopped at the Devil’s Dyke pub, but the front runners stopped at the Crown and Anchor in Shoreham. Tea and the last slice of chocolate cake was consumed at the YH on Truleigh Hill, then onwards towards Shoreham. The sunshine and warmth forced us to stop and lie down on the hillside to admire the views over the fields and river, before we finally wend our way into Shoreham. After a drink in the Crown and Anchor, 2 remained to explore the beach, whilst the remainder went for the train and swift journey home.
A lovely day out but for some, not quite Scotland pace.
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