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D This leaflet aims to encourage car-free travel from . It is T L r E a I 6 D MALLING HILL produced by the Lewes Town Partnership, which is supported in F 2 ROA s S ILL I SOUTH MALLING A M by Lewes Town Council. to T L P LEWES o CROSS O on H d T a R M on PLUMPTON GREEN T m I A 2 lewestownpartnership.wordpress.com P o s V L 8 S e E LI a y R N 2 n o , G 9 d u B O S E th a U TR 2 B Company no. 04779872 D WILLEY’S OM PLUMPTON Sta. i D rc S E 9 CO tc o o E MALLING E B E h w m T TH l BRIDGE 1 in n b g s e BROOKS 2 W a With support from our partners B n 5 e a d

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Lewes District Council and MUSEUM P o e 4 A BARCOMBE BOTTOM n ld BUS STATION 2 PELLS 3 National Park OF ART + EAST CHlLTINGTON 7 DITCHLING 5 B OF POOL buses 28, 29, 29B 9 FH CRAFT 2 AM HI 123, 125, 143, 167 P P LL R RO A O A Y AD D A 2 1 W 7 6 P Y 5 E BROYLE SIDE L 7 L P 167 A CUILFAIL COOKSBRIDGE V NEVILL N WALLANDS C E P P H E A COOKSBRIDGE Sta. P V 1.St S I H P P FE S E U 143 L LIF L 29B L P C O O 9 H LEWES U I X 2 R ILL L H T L PLUMPTON E 6 O L 1a CLIFFE Golf Course VICTORIA P P OO H S 2 A CASTLE CH S P S A HOSPITAL D S T T 16 167 U P E 7 E R S P R ST E H R E 3 G T P P D I P IV 4 THE GALLOPS A H P O RAILWAY E JACK AND JILL HAMSEY 1 R R P LAND O OFFHAM RN

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WINDMILLS CHURCH E . Black Cap T T

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H N S W A Y S Mt. Harry 12 H. M. PRISON

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U O 9 ANNE OF LEWES STATION

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W 2 P A S ST PANCRAS PRIORY AD N HOUNDEAN O R SOUTHERHAM S BOTTOM S 9 GG 1b 7 W JU A 1 Y PLACE MACHINE Lewes Town Council CHATTRI 1a BY-PASS BOTTOM WAR B GLYNDE 29 7 A 2 A 2 3 7 MEMORIAL LEWES Sta. 2 29 1b 2 8 MT. CABURN 1 BROOKS 2 GLYNDE Sta. 3 STANMER S SOUTH DOWNS 7 U A2 S HOUSE S UNIVERSITY E P A27 3 X 2 O 125 Arlington ARLINGTON NATIONAL PARK 27 OF ASHCOMBE 1 U A S P WINDMILL SPRING BARN E Reservoir STANMER P V A FARM L L 5 PARK E 12 PLACE P Y CHARLESTON BERWICK Sta. For more ideas on car-free days out see AM 2b KINGSTON W A27 F EX A 4 ALM ST Y 125 P P ER ADIU www.travelloglewes.co.uk Sta. M E FIRLE HOLLINGBURY SWANBOROUGH IFORD G S R B O HILLFORT 9 THE KEEP U E T For more on what to see and do in the Lewes area, visit T 2 8 T ra 2 S in 9 H s 7

2 D W P to www.staylewes.org O 4 E

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Y 25 bo 2 N 1 5 u S BARN rne Details correct at time of going to print. We do not accept any 23 and W P Hasting responsibility for loss, damage or injury, however caused, arising directly or A P MONK’S O W N S W A Y 47 s Y H D A27 indirectly from use of this leaflet. HOUSE U T FIRLE BEACON BERWICK DRUSILLAS Sta. O P YOUTH HOSTEL S BOPEEP BERWICK R Text and walks research: Tim Locke 3b E WILMINGTON

CHURCH V Design and artwork: Andy Gammon Art & Design, Lewes 2a 6 I MILTON SOUTHEASE Sta. R STREET RESTON P 5 E P WOODINGDEAN 2 PARK Sta. SOUTHEASE R 1 E

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4 ROAD Sta. C 47 Exploring the R U The I C V E P (chalk figure) places and R BRIGHTON Sta. O P P CAR-FREE U landscapes 1 S CHURCH AND LULLINGTON COURT 2 E BRIGHTON OVINGDEAN 3 CLERGY HOUSE around Lewes buses 12, 28, 29, 29B, 79 on foot and by DAYS OUT LITLINGTON ROEDEAN P a public transport FROM LEWES in ar M n to NEWHAVEN BISHOPSTONE gh BISHOPSTONE ri TOWN Sta. CHURCH B 12 7 3 4 A259 NEWHAVEN 7 HARBOUR Sta. 4 NEWHAVEN 1 12 2 WESTDEAN TIDE MILLS EXCEAT BRIDGE NEWHAVEN SEAFORD EXCEAT FORT 1 P BIS2HOPSTONE Sta. 47 A25 12 9 5 12 SEAFORD Sta. EAST DEAN MARTELLO THE MUSEUM P

n S O U ve T H D ad 4 a O W e H N H re T S W rd e H E A Y fo km S E ea c V S Cu E N S I S T E R S p Ditchling Museum. Photo: Brotherton and Lock. Cuckmere Haven. Photo: Tim Locke. a G g lin ir B Key to map Sundial on Bishopstone church porch. Photo: Tim Locke.

Walk featured in day out 1 Physical terrain, high to low 2a Walk featured in day out 2 Urban space 2 Walk featured in day out 3 A2 Road 2 7 SOUTH DOWNS Walk featured in other days out Railway station NATIONAL PARK Other walk P Place of interest / Pub

Featured cycle path 167 Featured bus route PUBLIC TRANSPORT INFORMATION For information about public transport including bus DAY OUT 1 DAY OUT 2 DAY OUT 3 OTHER DAYS OUT routes and timetables visit www.traveline.info/se . RODMELL AND MONK’S HOUSE GLYNDE, FIRLE, CHARLESTON AND BERWICK CHURCH PLACES OF INTEREST SEAFORD AND THE SEVEN SISTERS PANORAMA

The Discovery Ticket gives unlimited travel across the South Along the River Ouse, or over the Downs, to visit the Woolfs’ A wonderful blend of scenery, historic houses and unspoilt One of Sussex’s most impressive hillforts, with By train to Lewes’ nearest stretch of coast, to see the DITCHLING BEACON AND DITCHLING VILLAGE Downs and beyond in the south of . Sussex home. Walk from Lewes or take the train. Optional villages, including places closely associated with the visible Iron Age and Saxon ramparts and views down the Ouse atmospheric remains of a huge tide mill, Bishopstone’s Saxon Walk via from Lewes, along Spital Road and www.southdowns.gov.uk/discoveryticket. circular walk from Southease railway station. Bloomsbury Group. Although the whole route involves a full Valley. A national nature reserve, where a range of species thrive church, Seaford’s unique museum, and a walk over Seaford alongside the prison wall, then right at bridleway signpost, left day’s walk, it can be divided into short sections by using bus on the south-facing grassland slopes, including orchids and rare Head to get the classic view of the Seven Sisters, one of Eng - at stables and buildings, later keeping forward on South Downs National rail enquiries Tel: 03457 484950, BUS No.123 and train, with several pubs and tea rooms to wait in until your butterflies. A popular haunt of paragliders. land’s great coastal highlights. Optional extension along the Way (5 miles, 8km, 2hr 30min, hilly), or take the infrequent bus www.nationalrail.co.uk. Lewes–Newhaven (Monday–Saturday). Alight Abergavenny bus or train is due. There’s also an optional diversion to for a return by bus. No.167 from Lewes to Ditchling; walk from Ditchling to Ditchling Arms, then a 5-minute walk along The Street (on the right-hand Glyndebourne opera house. Glynde An estate village built for Glynde Place, ( Tel: 01273 858224, Beacon. Return by bus No.79 (hourly at weekends and bank BUS COMPANIES side of the pub). www.glynde.co.uk ) the Elizabethan house at the north end, BUS No.12 Cuckmere Haven to Seaford and Bishopstone holidays only) to Brighton, for frequent trains and buses back to BUS No.125 f rom Lewes to Glynde, Firle, Charleston (entrance Brighton and (routes 12, 28, 29, 29B, 79; Saver adjacent to the classical chapel is home to the VIIth Viscount and stations, for return leg. Option to extend walk to Alfriston, then Lewes. TRAIN Southease then circular walk (2.5 miles, 4km, 1 hour). road at A27), Alciston, Berwick Church and Alfriston. Cuckmere tickets, cover all-day travel) Tel: 01273 886200, Viscountess Hampden and is open to the public on some days. bus No.125 to Lewes. Leave Southease station on platform 1 side, follow the track, over Valley Ramblerbus 47 (weekends, Easter to October) makes a www.buses.co.uk. Glynde Forge, with its striking horseshoe-shaped doorway, is still DITCHLING VILLAGE the river. At Southease village green, keep to the right of the circuit from Berwick station via Alfriston, Exceat and Litlington. in operation and it’s often possible to look inside when the owner TRAIN Bishopstone, Seaford. Ditchling (reached by train to Plumpton , then walk; or take the church (itself has fragments of medieval wall paintings inside), is present. infrequent bus No.167 from Lewes to Ditchling), a handsome Compass Travel (routes 123, 125, 143, 167) Tel: 01903 690025, REFRESHMENTS Full range in Seaford and Alfriston. Cuckmere and at the top of it find the signposted permissive footpath on the TRAIN Glynde (join walk at ). village beneath the Downs, has some fine old buildings, many www.compass-travel.co.uk. 3 Inn, Exceat Bridge (Tel: 01323 892247). right, through a gate then up along field edges parallel to the main Firle Place Seasonal opening, Tel: 01273 858307, www.firle.com . close to the churchyard and the Ditchling Museum of Art + REFRESHMENTS Trevor Arms, Glynde (Tel: 01273 858208). Little road, to the edge of Rodmell. Emerge on road just after Rodmell The grand country house of the Gage family, whose name is given Craft (Tel: 01273 844744, www.ditchlingmuseumartcraft.org.uk ), CTLA Lewes area community transport Tel: 01273 517332, Cottage Tea Rooms, Glynde (Tel: 01273 858215). Tea rooms at TOILETS Seaford sea front, Alfriston. village sign, then carry along the road and turn right at the to ‘greengages’, refaced with Caen limestone recycled from in a stunning redevelopment that won a RIBA award; it holds an www.ctla.org.uk. Glynde Place and Firle Place when houses are open. Ram Inn, Abergavenny Arms into the village to reach Monk’s House. Carry . Tudor, with 18th-century remodelling; its internationally important collection of works related to artists Firle (Tel: 01273 858222). Café at Charleston during opening hours. WALK Bishopstone station to Tide Mills (1.5 miles, 2.4km, 1hr on, past end of road, on track to River Ouse, where turn right wonderfully light interior features magnificent old masters and and craftspeople who once lived and worked here, including Cuckmere Buses (serves Cuckmere Valley, including Cricketers (pub), Berwick (Tel: 01323 870469). Rose Cottage (pub), 15min). Leave the station at the end of the platform (signed along riverside path to bridge near Southease station; recross Sèvres porcelain. Tea room. 1 sculptor and letter designer and calligrapher Edward Ramblerbus 47) Tel: 01323 870920, www.cuckmerebuses.org.uk. Alciston (Tel: 01323 870377). Good range of pubs and tea rooms in ‘beach’), and left at the bottom towards the sea. Where the beach the bridge to return to station. Johnston ; temporary exhibitions, shop and café. Alfriston. Firle village Also known as West Firle, the estate village for Firle starts, turn right along the rear of the beach (along the remains of a railway, built for transporting materials to maintain a sea CYCLING REFRESHMENTS Abergavenny Arms, Rodmell (Tel: 01273 472416). Place is beautifully placed beneath the Downs. The church has DITCHLING BEACON The map shows some dedicated cycle paths that can be used Café at Southease Youth Hostel (east side of Southease rail TOILETS Glynde, Charleston and Alfriston. Gage family memorials and a striking stained glass window of wall). After 10–15 minutes’ walking you reach a pond and 2 From Ditchling, follow the southwards, to explore the area. The South Downs offer the best mountain station; Tel: 0845 371 9574). Juggs, Kingston (off route; Tel: 01273 relics of the Tide Mills and village. Return the same way. WALK Lewes to Firle (5 miles/8km, 2hr 30min, hilly) 1985 by John Piper, with Blake’s Tree of Life; also the graves of rising steadily up the escarpment to join the South Downs Way, biking in the Southeast, with a vast network of bridleways 472523). Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant. Near Firle is Furlongs, the From the far end of Cliffe High Street, on the east side of town, Bishopstone station to Bishopstone church on which you turn left to Ditchling Beacon. Ringed by the grassy including most of the South Downs Way itself. w1alk up Chapel Hill, which climbs steadily (outstanding views cottage where artist lived prior to World War II. ramparts of an Iron Age hillfort, it is the highest point in East WALKS from Lewes: You have a choice of options, a or b . The (1.5 miles, 2.4km, 45 min, nearly level). Leave at end of platform over Lewes from the path up on the right side of this road). At the (signed ‘beach’), and at bottom turn right under the bridge. Cross Sussex (814ft/248m) and on a clear day you are rewarded with a Ideas for cycle rides: easier is along the River Ouse (3.7 miles, 6km, 1hr 15min, level): Charleston Tel: 01323 811265, www.charleston.org.uk; end of the road, by the golf clubhouse, take the gate on the right A259 take well-marked path opposite bus shelter (slightly to the huge view over the to the hills. On the west side of Lewes, a well-signed cycle path runs Leave Lewes near the river bridge on Cliffe High Street, café; seasonal opening; prebooking available; guided tours only. 1a and follow the path to maintain the previous direction, eventually right); Bishopstone village is visible ahead; turn right on joining a parallel to the A27, past Falmer and the entrance to Stanmer taking Railway Lane (on the right-hand side of the Riverside Supremely atmospheric retreat of the Bloomsbury Group, a group NEWHAVEN forking right at a post and heading down into a valley. Pass a lane into the village and return the same way. Park, while the South Downs Way leads over Ditchling Beacon shopping hall), then as the road bends right keep forward through of intellectuals and artists from the first half of the 20th century, fenced pond and carry on the valley floor till you reach a kissing 3 Train or bus No.123 to Newhaven; from station, turn left, across towards ‘Jack and Jill’ windmills. On the east side of Lewes, a the gate into the Railway Land nature reserve. Follow the and who included Vanessa Bell, Duncan Grant and Clive Bell; the bridge, then first left into Riverside. The harbour , full of gate to the right of a nature reserve sign. Go through this, up the Bishopstone station/Seaford station to Exceat Bridge cycle path leaves the far end of South Street, follows the river riverside path for 2.8 miles/4.5km on the raised dyke along the and John Maynard Keynes frequently visited. fishing boats and yachts, and used by ferries serving Dieppe, left side of the valley steeply to the top, then turn right to see (5 miles, 8km, 2hr 15min, one major climb). (If starting from and crosses the A26 to go through the industrial estate. Here, canalised River Ouse, and with views over the adjacent The former farmhouse is full of their paintings and colourful, has much atmosphere. From there walk up Fort Road to Mount Caburn (left, through a gate, is the continuation) Seaford Station, turn right, then right into Dane Road first left into route 90 signs lead to the cycle path beside the A27, giving watermeadows and under the rail and road bridges. After passing 2 hand-crafted decorations. Newhaven Fort (Tel: 01273 517622; www.newhavenfort.org.uk ), Pelham Road, and at the sea turn left. From Bishopstone station, access to Glynde and a network of quiet lanes around Ripe and under the second set of power lines, take a track, signposted Return to the gate, carry along the top, with the fence on your one of the largest military museums in the Southeast, with gun 2a Alciston Unspoilt linear village with huge tithe barn at southern leave at the end of the platform, signed ‘beach’, and left at the Arlington, and (via road crossing) Firle, where off-roaders can bridleway, on the right into Rodmell and to Monk’s House. left until a stile in the fence* – don’t cross this but turn right emplacements, a labyrinth of tunnels to explore and lively end, and the remains of a medieval dovecote near the church. bottom.) Carry on beside the beach to reach the Martello Tower follow the track beneath the Downs described in Day Out 2 across grass, and follow the route down to Glynde. Turn left on displays illustrating the fort’s role through two world wars. The more demanding and spectacular high-level route over the Museum. Carry along the shore. Follow the clifftop path up and towards Berwick and Alfriston, or climb up the South Downs to the road then immediately right along the village street, past the South Downs (5.6 miles, 9km, 2hr 30min, hilly) starts from the Berwick church Members of the Bloomsbury Group painted this over Seaford Head, taking great care not to go near the edge. join the South Downs Way. South of Lewes the best options are railway station ( if starting from here, turn right along the 4 , AND southwest side of Lewes, by the Swan (pub), at the far end of downland church during World War II, illustrating the life of Christ Drop to the coastguard cottages, beyond which turn left – either off-road, along the South Downs Way as described in Day Out street), and oppo3site the Trevor Arms fork left. Turn left along the HOLLINGBURY HILLFORT Southover High Street. Follow the main road out of town, past against the backdrop of Sussex and the South Downs using along the fence (briefly rising) and through the gate along a 1 to Rodmell, then continuing on it up to Firle Beacon and on to 1b pavement by the A27 and soon cross by traffic island and take Train or bus Nos.28/29/29B to Falmer, then under subway to the Swan on your right, then next right into Juggs Road. This soon themselves, their friends and local people as models. The grassy path (the ) or (dry conditions only) carry on Alfriston. The Egrets Way is currently being developed as a road on right to Firle. At next junction turn left through gates of University of Sussex, where turn left in front of Falmer House on rises to a bridge over the A27, and becomes an unsurfaced track. building’s spectacular transformation was controversial at the to the shingle beach and turn left along the river (this leaves the cycle route by the River Ouse. Well-signposted, a stretch of Firle Place, then bear right along fence, through gate and over University Way, then at road bend opposite sports hall go right Enter a field, then pass Ashcombe Windmill, and drop to the road. time, but has survived as a unique showcase of the work of river towards the end and turns right at T-junction with Vanguard National Cycle Route (NCN) 2 runs mostly along the seafront pasture, passing to left of tennis court, then right through gates through barrier into Stanmer Park. Cross sports pitch Cross over to the track opposite, past a line of houses at the edge Duncan Grant, Vanessa Bell and Quentin Bell. Way); both paths reach the Cuckmere Inn at Exceat Bridge, and roads between Brighton, Seaford and Exceat, then inland and bear right through car park. Turn left along Firle village street. 5 diagonally and head right through parkland to of Kingston. Where the track divides at the foot of the slope, beside the A259 for the No.12 bus back to Seaford and along a road north to Berwick; see www.sustrans.org.uk. 2b Alfriston The largest village of the Cuckmere valley is full of and church. Return the same way. fork left, steeply up. At the top, turn left on the South Downs Way, Bishopstone stations. North of Lewes are some excellent quiet roads in the rolling *For Glyndebourne, carry along the fence; the path later drops to interest: look out for the weathered market cross at the centre, and follow signposts, passing the Hemisphere signpost after 1 a junction by woodland, carry on ahead, to left of woods, then For Hollingbury , train or bus Nos 28/29/29B to Moulsecoomb countryside of the Weald. You can take your bike on a train ; and around the imposing church a village green abutted by the You can further extend the walk by carrying along the left side of mile/1.6km, then reaching the top of a metalled lane. Turn left turn right near wind turbine and descend to Glyndebourne; you (bus: alight Brighton University); turn left out of station, under particularly useful stations for exploring the area are Glynde, 3b Clergy House ( National Trust, Tel: 01323 871961; seasonal the Cuckmere River for 3.7 miles/6km/1hr 30min to Alfriston and (leaving the South Downs Way) to drop to the main road by the can turn left along the road towards Ringmer for b us No.28, 125 or railway then right up steps, and soon left at signpost on rising Berwick, Falmer, Southease, Bishopstone and Seaford. opening ), a thatched and half-timbered ‘Wealden hall’ structure taking bus No.125 to return to Lewes, or by climbing onto the Abergavenny Arms. Take The Street opposite into Rodmell and to 143 back to Lewes. path turning left in front of green-roofed building, then up which is a rare survival in its original medieval state, and has an Seven Sisters by taking the South Downs Way from Exceat. Cycle repair shops: Monk’s House. Return to Lewes : with Monk’s House on left, follow across grass on main path, and right on broad grassy track Firle to Charleston, Berwick and Alfriston (up to 6 miles, 9.6km, enchanting cottage garden. Lewes Cycleshack, 53 Cliffe High St, Lewes, Tel: 01273 479688. the village street to reach the bus stop, bus No.123 , by the (take mental note of this point as you will return the same way), generally level) Go past Ram Inn on left, where the road Cycleshack 2, 39a Friars Walk, Lewes, Tel: 01273 483108. Abergavenny Arms. Alternatively, for Southease railway station , PLACES OF INTEREST and keep on this track which immediately curves left, then left bends right. Leav4e the village, past entrance to church (left) and, Mr Cycles, 26 Clinton Place, Seaford, Tel: 01323 893130, turn left out of Monk’s House onto the pavement, then left on the at signpost by golf course sign, and left at next signpost to where road ends keep forward on main track, then ignore track to www.mrcycles.co.uk. Dr Bike, is a free service offering minor licensed path to Southease, where you turn left for the station. Bishopstone church Open daytime Wednesday and Saturday . In reach low banks marking ramparts of Hollingbury Hillfort . right and follow the track as it curves left alongside the estate bike repairs, safety checks and advice, every Saturday a remarkably unspoilt, tucked-away downland village, founded in wall (the next track on the right leads up to the South Downs Way UNIVERSITY OF SUSSEX 10am–12pm outside Nutty Wizard Café, Cliffe High Street, the 8th century, and enlarged around 1200; its numerous ancient for a fine high-level alternative; turn left at the top and follow via The main part of University of Sussex campus was designed in Lewes, www.drbikelewes.com. PLACES OF INTEREST features include a rare Saxon sundial above the porch. Firle Beacon and Bopeep to Alfriston). the 1960s by Sir Basil Spence, architect of Coventry Cathedral Railway Land Free access; always open . A local nature Tide Mills Free access . Huge industrial relic just inland from the and is widely considered a design classic for its period; Falmer Cycle hire: reserve, on a riverside area of woodland and meadow, partly After 1 mile/1.6km, you pass a pair of Gothic-windowed cottages beach, this was a tide-powered corn mill in operation during the House is grade 1 listed status. Friston Cycles, Seven Sisters Country Park, Exceat, Tel: 01323 on an area of former railway sidings and partly on former house (ignore track to left). F or Charleston turn left at next track 18th and 19th centuries; the workers’ village existed up until 870310, www.fristoncycles.co.uk. Housedean Farm Campsite, 5 gardens. It includes the reedbed creation ‘Heart of Reeds’, by junction, past a house called Tilton Meadow and left at the next World War II, and the old station is still in evidence. On the STANMER PARK Brighton Road, near Lewes, Tel: 07919 668816, www.south Chris Drury, and is noted as a site for birds, wild flowers, junction, by barns. Follow the concrete bridleway past a right- shingle are remains of a seaplane base and Heritage The park has free access for walking through parkland nature downswaybikehire.co.uk; pick up from Cycle Shack in Lewes insects and amphibians. angled bend, then immediately after turn left towards Charleston Marine Hospital. reserve and includes Stanmer House (built 1722 for the Pelham by arrangement. (or carry on to A27 to return by b us No.125) . T o continue Ignore Charleston. Photo © Penelope Fewster. family, now a restaurant/café and bar) and church (local history Juggs Road This route leads to Brighton, from where women left turn and carry on main track. Cross a road and carry along Martello Tower Museum Seaford; summer only; very limited displays, open on Sunday afternoons); tea room; walks through Cycle training: used jugs to carry fish to market, hence the Juggs pub, Kingston. track. Pass triangular bench (track to left is optional diversion to opening times; Tel: 01323 898222; www.seafordmuseum.co.uk . woodlands into the and up to the South Downs Way. On Yer Bike Mike, Tel: 07740 947892, www.onyerbikemike.co.uk . Alciston). Just past converted barn, bear left on main track An absorbing collection of local and social history within one of 6 Ashcombe Windmill This is a modern replica of a six-sailed towards Berwick church, ignoring track ahead. the best-preserved Martello Towers – a series of 74 defensive HOLLINGBURY HILLFORT windmill that stood on the same site until being destroyed by a towers built in Napoleonic times to guard the English coast At end of field, fork right, passing churchyard and then entering it Rising above the Brighton suburbs, Hollingbury Hillfort is an storm in 1916. Known as ‘Old Six Sweeps' it was one of many against invasion, this is rare in retaining a cannon. by gate. (To return by bus, carry on beyond church, on walled Iron Age site with visible ramparts and spectacular views windmills that once dotted the landscape around Lewes. extending to the Isle of Wight. path and soon on driveway, then right at road junction through Seaford Head The cliff gives an unrivalled view of the wavy Berwick village and past the Cricketers to the A27 for bus Monk’s House Rodmell; National Trust; Tel: 01273 474760; profile of the Seven Sisters, the group of chalk cliffs between TO No.125. ) Leave churchyard by gate through which you entered it Cuckmere Haven and Birling Gap. Don’t miss the view beneath seasonal opening . The final house of Virginia and Leonard Woolf Walk from Lewes along Sussex Ouse Valley Way, signposted and turn right by post, following VW (Vanguard Way) yellow the cliffs at Splash Point, at the Seaford end. On the far side of is a hugely evocative place, decorated as it was in their lifetime. along river, crossing to west side at Willey’s Bridge; 5 miles, markers, across field by grassy strip. Seaford Head, steps lead down to the rocky foreshore at Hope The Woolfs came here in 1919 and established it as a country 8km, level. A delightful, mostly riverside walk north from Lewes. Gap, an excellent spot for browsing rock pools and looking for base for visiting Virginia’s sister, Vanessa, at Charleston. Virginia’s At top, turn left on track, then forward on road down to Alfriston’s After 1.5 miles (2.4km) reach a lane and detour right to Hamsey fossils. Beneath the much-photographed coastguard cottages is writing hut is at the end of the garden. It was from here that main street. Turn left for b us No.125 stop at rear of coach park. church , a medieval church that escaped Victorian restorers. Clergy House, Alfriston. Photo © National Trust ® Images; the shingle beach of Cuckmere Haven, which retains ‘dragon’s Virginia left to drown in the Ouse river in 1941. Rodmell village Cuckmere Valley Ramblerbus 47 for Seaford, Berwick station and Carry on along the Sussex Ouse Valley Way via the pretty The South Downs above Kingston. Photo: Tim Locke. Andrew Butler. teeth’ concrete tank traps erected in World War II. itself has a striking array of local building styles and materials, trains to Lewes. millpond at Barcombe Mills to Isfield , where steam and diesel including thatch, weatherboarding and flint. trains run on the . Return by bus Nos.29/29B .