BWs walk the South Downs Way, Part 6, 16 miles, challenging (BOOKING REQUIRED)

This is Part 6 in the BWs' series where we are walking The South Downs Way. This 16-mile walk, the longest in this series, will take us from Upper Beeding to Lewes.

This walk will be led by Robyn.

Advance booking is required for this walk, which is limited to 26 people. This is now handled by marking yourself as attending here on Meetup. Please do not turn up without booking your space by doing so, only sign up if you intend to come, and cancel in good time if you can no longer attend so that someone else can take your place.

Please see our website for more information about the group.

Pace: medium.

Walk details

This 16-mile linear walk is the longest in this series. Hopefully from all the practice from the other sections so far, we will be feeling fit to tackle this long section into historic Lewes.

We start in Upper Beeding towards Devil’s Dyke which is popular with hang-gliders. Legend has it that the Devil dug the valley to drown the parishioners of the Weald. There is a pub at the Devil’s Dyke car park but it is probably a bit early for this stage of the walk.

Nearer the midway point is the Plough at Pyecombe just the other side of the A23. This is a potential drop-out point for anyone who would like to end the walk here and get a taxi to the end point, Lewes Train Station.

There is a short, optional diversion to the Jack and Jill Windmills; famous local landmarks that can be seen from miles around. We then will pass Ditchling Beacon before arriving in Lewes, full of history and home to Anne of Cleves’ house and the first Bill’s restaurant chain.

Travel details

By public transport

You may be joining us from the previous day's walk from Amberley Station to Upper Beeding and have stayed overnight nearby in the Youth Hostel or a B&B/camping. The Walk Leader will be doing this. We will be starting the walk early as this is a long day and to allow to go at a steady pace.

Outbound: You can get a train to Shoreham-by-Sea and get a short taxi ride to Upper Beeding. Take the 06:10 train from Reading, change at Gatwick (07:27), take the 07:43 train and change at Brighton (08:18), then take the 08:30 train to Shoreham-by-Sea (arriv. 08:46).

Return: We finish in Lewes which has a train station. There are trains running every half an hour back to Reading. You can take the 17:46 train to Brighton, Change here and take the 18:09 train to Gatwick Airport. Change here to take the 18:52 train, that gets into Reading at 20:22. There are later trains at 18:21, 18:46, 19:21.

By car

Park in Upper Beeding – there is a car park near the roundabout north of The South Downs Fodder Box. As this is a linear walk, you will need to make your way by public transport back to the start point at the end of the walk (by train to Shoreham-on-Sea then a bus).

Alternatively, park in Lewes and then make your way as above to the start point.

Notes

• Please bring a packed lunch and a drink.
• It might be muddy – please wear suitable footwear.
• Please contact the leader directly if you are delayed on the day or can't find the group (find contact details on our website). We are unlikely to respond to Meetup comments or messages sent on the day of the walk in enough time to be helpful.