Stunning South Downs Way Hike To Lewes

Details
Join Fun Hikes for a stunning walk through the amazing South Downs, taking in some of the prettiest parts of the Sussex countryside as we hike from Hassocks to Lewes.

Overview

This is an exhilarating walk along the South Downs Way, a ridge of South Downs chalk grassland with superb panoramic views inland and out to the sea towards Brighton.

Our route will take us up onto the South Downs ridge past Jack and Jill - two well preserved windmills; Jack is the only "male" windmill in the UK (all others being considered female) and Jill was originally built in Brighton and moved by a team of horses and oxen and is still used to grind corn. We'll then shortly later have a dramatic panoramic view stretching to the English Channel, with Brighton perching gently in the foreground on the coast.

Our walk will then continue along the northern edge of the Downs with superb views inland until we reach Ditchling Beacon. Ditchling Beacon was the site of an Iron Age hill fort and is the third highest point in the South East of England at 248m and consequently has fabulous views across the Weald up to the North Downs Way. It was also the location of one of the Beacons that warned of the Spanish Armada in 1588. After taking in a couple more peaks on the South Downs way we'll drop down to follow the river Ouse into Lewes and shall be welcomed into the old part of the town by a dramatic walk through the Castle Gate (the castle originally having been built by William the Conqueror in 1069 after his invasion of Britain.

Walk highlights:

Clayton Windmill

Ditchling Beacon

River Ouse

Lewes castle

The castel is open 10 am to 5.30 pm. Last admission is 30 minutes before closing time and costs £7.40 if you would like to visit.

Walk info in a nutshell:

Start: Meet at Victoria station 10:00 to purchase a group saver ticket (GroupSave offers a 34% discount on the adult fare for between 3 and 9 people when travelling together). The train leaves at 10:25 and is scheduled to arrive at Hassocks station at 11:20

Meeting Point: Victoria Train Station - outside Upper Crust, next to platform 13 .

Distance: 18km (11.2 miles). We will allow approximately 5-6 hours for walking, depending upon the speed of the group and excluding any break

Return Journey: Return trains leave 21 and 48 minutes past the hour from Lewes station back to Victoria.

What to wear: Appropriate walking clothes and footwear - ideally hiking boots as the path could be muddy in places. No trainers of jeans please.

Lunch: Packed lunch. (please also bring at least 1 litre of water)

Toughness: 4 out of 10

IMPORTANT:

By signing up for this meetup with Fun Hikes you agree and acknowledge that you are personally responsible for your own fitness, safety and welfare and will be equipped accordingly. You further confirm that you have read, understood and agree to the Participation Statement (found here https://www.meetup.com/funhikes/about/ ) and to our Release and Waiver Terms and Conditions (found here https://www.meetup.com/funhikes/pages/21954149/Release_and_Waiver_Form/ ) together with any further reasonable instructions you are given before, during and after the Event.

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