Sunday Walk - South Downs and swimming

Lewes to Brighton via Rottingdean
Length: 19.2km (12 miles) Toughness: 4/10

09:46 Polegate train from Victoria (Clapham Junction 09:53, East Croydon 10:03) arriving at Lewes at 10:49.
Or 09:40 Brighton train from London Bridge changing at East Croydon (arr 09:54, dep10:03) arriving at Lewes at 10:49.

Return trains from Brighton are at xx:27 and xx:57 to Victoria, and at xx:08 and xx:42 to London Bridge. Buy a day return to Lewes, which is valid for the return from Brighton.

This popular South Downs walk offers magnificent views across the plains of the River Ouse before crossing the remoter, less-frequented, heart of the downs to Rottingdean, where potential lunch places abound. You could finish the walk there, after just 7 miles, and catch a bus into Brighton, or continue on an attractive esplanade along the base of the cliffs as far as Brighton Pier. As you arrive on Brighton beach at Black Rock, just past the marina, don’t be surprised to see large numbers of naked cyclists, since this is the finishing point of the Brighton Naked Bike Ride, part of a worldwide annual cycling protest against oil dependency and car culture.

There will be ample opportunities for a lunchtime or afternoon swim, but the tide will be out, so if swimming at Rottingdean, watch out for sharp rocks beneath the surface and stay in line with the ramp.

This walk originated as a separate walk but has now been subsumed into the Southease to Brighton via Rottingdean walk with its multiple options and variations.
You will need to download the walk directions and start at para 125. Or you may prefer the more straightforward original walk directions, though these are no longer updated. The Southease start is not practicable today due to engineering works.

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