Ditchling Beacon, Hollingbury & Brighton Seaside Swim – Country Hike

Walk length 13miles/20 km approx. Linear.

A very picturesque route from Burgess Hill via Ditchling Beacon to Brighton.

Ditchling Beacon commands a place as the third highest point on the South Downs at 814ft (American designations define a mountain as 1000ft!, getting close) with panoramic views, because of its defensive position it was also the site of an early Iron Age Hill fort.

The hike has a nice mixture of fields, ridge sections, hillforts as well as some urban sections into Brighton.

We pass Brighton station on the way to the seaside and at Brighton you have the option of seeing the seaside, shopping or having a social drink and maybe having a swim!

THIS IS A SUBSTANTIAL BUT MEDIUM LENGTH HIKE HIKE WITH A NUMBER OF GRADIENTS.

Lunch & Finish

Please bring a packed lunch & water for the hike. We should finish before 5pm which will include a 30 min snack lunch stop (rustic lunch stop in fields, no facilities) however the time may be earlier or later than this depending on the weather and pace (this is a complete day out and your are advised not to plan definite events for the evening).

Various meeting points see below..

The hike is linear and start from Burgess Hill Station at 11am.
Meeting at London: Meet from 9.20am at London Bridge Train station to get the 10.05am train arriving at Burgess Hill at 10.58am (get off at Burgess Hill but we return from Brighton so get a return ticket to Brighton.

At London getting group saves at 9.20am (may have to queue, please be prompt so we can get tickets and board the train when announced they can get busy).

The meeting point is London Bridge Train Station. Meet next to the main ticket office opposite the WHSmith. See photo below.

Cost: Train £15.50 or less with a group save, network railcard or ordered online.

If driving to Burgess Hill be aware this is a linear hike and you will need to collect your car after the hike to Brighton, short single train journey.
Walk Cost: £7 cash on the day organizer fee (the host is a qualified London guide). For paypal it is 'colin45@hotmail.co.uk' Please send as friends and family to avoid charges. For bank transfer message organizer.

Please make a note of the organizers number Colin 07709305681

Walking Safety

Walking is a great way to keep fit and generally very safe; however it does contain an element of risk. Before going on any of these walks you need to be reasonably fit and be prepared to be responsible for your own safety. You should wear appropriate clothing such as proper walking shoes, warm and wet weather clothing and carry sufficient food and water. Please see our Terms and Conditions (https://www.meetup.com/Chiltern-Explorers/pages/Terms_and_Conditions/)

COULD EVERYONE PLEASE AVOID COMMENTS BELOW THAT ARE NOT SPECIFIC TO THE EVENT AS THIS GENERATES SPAM, JUST CHANGE YOUR RSVP IF YOU CAN'T GO. YOU CAN MESSAGE ME. MANY THANKS.