Length: 22.5 km (14 miles). If concluding the walk in Falmer, 12 km (7.5 miles)
Toughness: 7 out of 10 (6 out of 10 for short walk)
Car drivers: park up in Hassocks, close to the railway station.
For those comfortable using public transport in these Covid times, your recommended train is:
London Victoria: 10-15 hrs Southern service to Littlehampton CJ 10-22 hrs, EC 10-33 hrs
Arrive Hassocks: 11-12 hrs
Return: Brighton to Victoria: 09 and 39 mins past the hour
Brighton to Hassocks: direct trains at 25 and 55 mins past the hour
Falmer to Brighton: 6 trains an hour
Rail ticket: buy a day return to Brighton
See our Covid Rules on This Weeks page
This is a lovely walk with lots of variety and is different from walking the ridge of the South Downs (unless you take the alternative start) as the walk traverses north to south, up, over and down the Downs, exploring hidden valleys, woods, open access land and parkland. You have a choice of start: the main walk takes you through the pretty village of Ditchling before you head for the base of the South Downs, for a steep ascent to the top. The alternative start takes you past the two windmills - Jack and Jill - before a slightly less steep climb up to the ridge of the Downs, which you then follow, enjoying lovely panoramic views on either side, before you re-join the main route from Ditchling. You now descend to the village of Stanmer, where you can purchase a takeaway from the Stanmer Tea Rooms. Onwards through Stanmer Park and the extensive grounds of Sussex University towards the village of Falmer - cut in half by the ugly A27 road - where you find on its north side the suggested lunch pub, the homely, non-pretentious Swan Inn. Check to see if they have resumed serving food after their long lockdown.
After the Swan Inn, you continue your walk through the prettier southern section of Falmer, then you go past the Amex Football stadium (home of Brighton and Hove Albion FC). You can conclude your walk in Falmer by taking the train from the local station to Brighton. But the main walk continues on an undulating way over fields then down to the village of Bevenden. Climb up a path and you now walk through Kemp Town Racecourse, along the length of the course and past the grandstand. At the far end of the course you find a woodland path which drops down cleverly into Brighton, close to Brighton College. You now choose your route along the seafront into the centre of Town. You are spoilt for choice for a tea stop in town.
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Walk Directions are here: L=swc.50
2 comments:
I only needed one hand to count everyone today. There were N=2 Yes 2. (I don’t think I told anyone I was coming so it can’t be that). There was some discussion about whether we should separate into two groups, but in the end we decided to stick together, at least for the start. The day was w=overcast-with-occasional-light-showers In Ditchling, it was noted that the deli had gone. We had no official lunch break as such but, as we approached the formidable ridge ahead, I could hear my companion’s motor start to rev up. Then suddenly fshoom!! he was off full tilt up the hill. This was to try to get to the Swan for a late lunch cum early tea. Someone had to come second so I just plodded philosophically along with a cheery smile on my face and a kind word for everyone. When I got to the Swan, it still looked open (as did the Stanmer tearooms earlier) but I didn’t go in. I finished at Falmer and got a bus into Brighton. I let a few go by before I realised Old Steine was a street in Brighton. I think my companion would have finished at Falmer too because the weather was starting to deteriorate. For me, the stretches through the universities and past the stadium detract from the rest of the walk, which is OK.
Hi Ian, I waited outside the Stanmer Tea Room at a table with a parasol, which almost kept off the rain which was falling quite heavily - and I waited....and waited.....and eventually I assumed you must have taken a different route. It was now too wet to continue with my book checking so, like you, I decided to conclude my walk in Falmer. Three quid for a single for the train to Brighton was excellent value in the circumstances and in Brighton I did not have to wait long for my connection for the London train. So, to quote the late and much missed rugby league commentator Eddie Waring, I was home in time for "an early bath".
It was windy on top of the Downs which looked lovely in the clear air with wonderful panoramic views. It was worth turning up for the walk today just for this leg up, over then down the Downs.
Thank you for your excellent company from walk start to the foot of the Downs beyond Ditchling, and I'm sorry I missed you at Stanmer.
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