Length: main walk using alternative start: 18.3 km (11.4 miles). Options to shorten to 7.5 miles and 4 miles
Toughness: full walk: 7 out of 10. Shorter walks omitting High and Over Hill: 3 out of 10
Note: Different to usual departure railway station (due to engineering works)
London Bridge: 09-25 hrs Southern service to Eastbourne East Croydon: 09-42 hrs
Arrive Lewes: 10-27 hrs Change trains
Leave Lewes: 10-47 hrs Southern service from Brighton to Hastings
Arrive Berwick: 10-56 hrs
Return Seaford to London Bridge changing at Lewes: 25 and 53 mins past the hour
Rail ticket Either a day return to Berwick (Sussex) or a day return to Seaford is usually acceptable. I tend to buy the latter.
Covid-19 Compliance: please note the current guidance on this website and observe social distancing. You should all come prepared to exchange contact details for track and trace purpose. You can either pre-register for this walk (not essential ) by e-mailing me at swc-marcus@walkingclub.org.uk or, if you prefer, please write your name, e-mail address and contact 'phone number on a small piece of paper for handing to me on the train or when we assemble at walk start. Thank you.
I was unable to post this walk in early March - as in previous years - as we were still in Lockdown, so we missed the new born lambs in the fields below Seaford Head. Never mind - this walk merits an outing at any time of year, as it is arguably one of the best walks in our entire SWC repertoire.
I suggest today we take the alternative start in the Directions to enable us to visit the pretty village of Alciston, with its interesting church, then Berwick Church to admire the 20th century Bloomsbury Murals (for those into luvvies). We then head down and up a vast field before dropping down a road into the village of Alfriston where we stop for lunch. Picnickers usually head for the grassy lawns around the church. The three pubs in the village will all be busy today, being a Bank Holiday, but all have beer gardens for outdoor dining. Those on the shortest 4 mile walk can take a bus to Seaford from the village.
Otherwise, after lunch the walk continues beside the Cuckmere River (the Book 1 side is less muddy) and after passing by the village of Littlington we head up the broad grassy slopes of High and Over Hill, not forgetting to look back over the shoulder to enjoy the magnificent panoramic view. Down the Hill on its other side and we head for Exceat - where there is a regular bus service to Seaford - for those on the 7.5 mile walk. The rest of us have another 3.9 miles still to go - but it is an exhilarating leg and is recommended for those up to walking a little further. We gradually ascend the Vanguard Way to come up above Cuckmere Haven with wonderful views of the Seven Sisters. From here we have an undulating clifftop walk to the outskirts of Seaford, where we drop down to the sea front. Then it's along the promenade and into the town for the refreshment options noted in the Directions.
The provisional weather forecast for Whit Bank Holiday Monday is good - and warmer than of late - so we could be in for a really nice day's walking. Do join me !
T=swc.90
Walk Directions are here: L=swc.90
4 comments:
Better to change polegate
Wrong - Anonymous. The change at Lewes is more leisurely, its facilities are open - and clean - and the station cafe is usually open for drinks and snacks. There is nothing at draughty Polegate station - so always change at Lewes.
n=16 assembled outside the entrance to Berwick station for today's Bank Holiday walk - on a w=hot-day-in-glorious-sunshine, with barely a cloud in the sky. A gentle breeze on exposed parts of the walk, such as the top of High and Over Hill, helped prevent us from over-heating. Because of the high UV factor today hats were essential and those walkers who dared flash a bit of flesh - and show off their pink knees - sensibly splashed on the sun cream - before we all set off on the alternative start route.
In the bright sunshine the countryside looked magnificent, green and lush, with the usual suspect Spring flowers fully on display, with buttercups and daisies blanketing some fields, and cow parsley and speedwell adorning paths and field edges. There were even some bluebells "hanging in there" in sheltered places - adding to the colour.
The A27 road was chocker with vehicles from both directions - but some kind motorists took pity on us and stopped to let us over what can be a very tricky crossing. Thank you to those motorists for their consideration.
On into Alciston to find its church closed for once, so next stop Berwick Church, where most of us stopped to look at the Bloomsbury murals, always of interest even if not to everyones taste or liking.
Six of us dined outdoors at the Smugglers pub - two in the sunshine (their choice) and four of us in the shade. Ordering was a bit pedestrian but the service was good and the meals could be described as good, honest pub grub.
Our sandwichers enjoyed their picnics in the sun or shade beside the lovely grassy surrounds of the church, and I believe they set off about thirty minutes before us six Smugglers started the afternoon leg of our walk, in temperatures which must now have been close to 25 degrees - but tempered by that gentle breeze.
Paths which are often boggy and tricky were rutted and rock hard, despite May's rainfall, then it was up High and Over hill, where hang gliders put on a fine display for our sandwhichers. The views from the hill-top today were superb and panoramic as we zig-zagged down 'tother side and made for Exceat. From here we opted to take the alternative route up and over farmland to observe this year's lambs - now three to four months old. On connecting up with the cliff path as we approached Seaford some bright white chalk was evidence of recent cliff falls and it was of concern to watch the foolhardy being photographed on the cliff edges.
Seaford's promenade was busier than I have ever seen it before, with families enjoying the fine weather - a good sight.
On into the town, we made straight for the railway station, to find its excellent mini-pub open. Here we found three of today's sandwichers imbibing and passing the time to the next train, and us Smugglers had enough time to quench our thirst before joining them on the 17-25 hrs train. Presumably most of the others were on the service thirty minutes before us.
Travel was good and on time today. And well done Southern for adding additional coaches to our homebound train from Lewes - 12 today, meaning we had plenty of room to spread out on our journey home.
Maybe it was not too bad a way to spend a Whit Bank Holiday Monday.
Just to add to Marcus' report. Two went swimming at Cuckmere Haven then on to Seaford, where we had a drink at The Shore pub, before boarding the very lively 18.25 train to Lewes. A lovely day out in beautiful countryside, and the white cliffs were dazzling.
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