Length: 18.4 km (11.4 miles). Option to shorten to 7.5 miles
Toughness: 6 out of 10 One steady, long ascent of High and Over Hill: remainder easy going
London Victoria: 09-24 hrs Southern service to Eastbourne CJ 09-31 hrs EC 09-40 hrs
Arrive Lewes: 10-26 hrs Change trains
Leave Lewes: 10-47 hrs Southern service from Brighton to Hastings
Arrive Berwick: 10-56 hrs
Return: Seaford to Victoria, via Lewes: 25 and 53 mins past the hour
Rail ticket: ticket inspectors usually accept either a day return to Berwick (Sussex) or a day return to Seaford. I tend to buy the latter.
Today's walk is arguably one of the best in our entire repertoire of TO Book walks and SWC walks - with a bit of everything for everyone - and one steady climb in the afternoon to keep you honest. Your reward for this effort is a superb, panoramic view over the Cuckmere Valley. I usually try to post this walk early in March every year as the farmers just below Seaford Head tend to release the year's new-born lambs into their fields - and our route today takes us straight through these fields, to enjoy the sight of the little-uns a-frolicking - and quite delightful.
We start today's walk by taking the Alternative Start in the walk directions from Berwick railway station and head along field edges, down through a wood and then over fields towards the pretty village of Alciston, where its church is well worth a visit. Shortly before we reach this village we have to cross the A27 road, which is not easy at a weekend. Please be patient and cross with care. After passing through Alciston we continue over more fields to visit our second church today - Berwick Church - to view the luvvies art and frescos from the Bloomsbury era. Down then up a large field and down a road - and we are in Alfriston where I suggest we stop for lunch. There are three good pubs to chose from: the most popular with SWC tends to be The George Inn. The recently refurbished pub opposite, the Star, is also excellent, and just down the road (and the first of the pubs you come to on entering the village) you find Ye Olde Smugglers Inne. In the village you also find a good village shop and deli for picnickers' provisions and at least one cafe. A popular spot for picnickers to stop for their lunch is the grassy lawns below the church.
After lunch we walk alongside the River Cuckmere through several of its bends and after passing the village of Litlington over to our left we leave the river and start our ascent of High and Over Hill. Take it steadily and turn around from time to time to enjoy the view behind and once at the top we can take a breather, before continuing down the other side of the hill and along grassy ways before dropping down to Exceat. Here you can terminate the walk if you wish by taking a regular bus service into Seaford, but if you can continue the walk, please do so - as it would be shame to miss the new born lambs ! From Exceat we start on the Vanguard Way but soon take a right-turn into the farmland fields to see the lambs. Up then to Seaford Head and through another large field with lambs and we arrive on the clifftop path. To our left we have the classic view of the Seven Sisters. We follow the clifftop path all the way to Seaford, where we drop down to the sea front promenade, which we walk along before entering the town with its refreshment stops. Rapidly becoming a SWC favourite is Steamworks micro pub on Seaford Railway Station.
T=swc.90
Walk Directions are here: L=swc.90
1 comment:
9 at the station and 1 late catcher-upperer makes n=10 A w=sunny-breezy day, not too bad underfoot. Mr Tiger confounded his critics by keeping up all the way round. Even over the hills.
Plenty of flowers: daffs, celandine, primrose, violets.
The path over the A27 was closed off, presumably temporarily, and we had to divert to a junction and follow a quiet road into Alciston. Here we had a quick look in the church , then made our way across the lamb-free fields to the next church, Berwick. This is the one with all the art and stuff. At first it looked closed – extensive restoration work – but we got in round the back and had a good look. There was a baby holding a lamb (so far, the only one we’d seen ). Also, a new artwork by Duncan Grant’s grandson behind the altar. The churchyard was pretty. On to the George where the others filled up on food. I filled up on beer. Some local stuff called Abbot. Here we lost one somehow.
The day’s biggest challenge was High and Over Hill. A stunning achievement but no medals awarded. A few more ups and downs – still no lambs- and we reached Exceat. From there, we took an inland route through fields, and, guess what. There they were, Lambs, lots of lambs! Skipping around and bleating their little heads off.
Another hill, a bit of cliff, and finally we were in Seaford.
We made our way to the Steamworks at the station. This was packed, too crowded for some. They took the next train. Others squeezed their way onto tables. The Old Plough is probably a more reliable choice. A good day out, anyway.
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