Offham Chalk Pit and Old Lewes Racecourse for magnificent views (6 miles approx)
Details
Meet at front entrance of Lewes station to set off 10.30am. Ill be on the 9.55am train from Eastbourne. I suggest you catch same train as our recent Lewes walk.
Walk thro Lewes castle, then an Autumn river walk, woodland, 1st break at Offham Chalk pit plateau SSSI with far reaching views of Mount Caburn, the Ouse river valley and Lewes. This is part of the Lewes great chalk pit and lime industrial past of 18th & 19th centuries which shaped todays landscape. Hiking on to view of chalk pit from above (dizzingly high!) and info board. More wooded paths, some narrow and some broader, followed by wide open vistas around Old Lewes Racecourse and Battle of Lewes 1264, 2nd break for your byo lunch. Long gentle downwards incline admiring views of Woodingdean, Kingston & Ashcombe Windmill, Newhaven, all nestled between the South Downs. Past HMP, finish at station, with the option of drinks at The Depot if liked.
Path and gradient: there is 1 short steep incline from Offham (approx 10 mins), uneven paths, some narrow sections which broaden out quickly. Station to Lewes Castle is steep. Thisc