FREE HIKE 22 km | The Long Man and the Road to the Sea

Take on one of Sussex’s most scenic journeys: a countryside-to-coast adventure of quiet villages, chalk ridges, and the mysterious Long Man of Wilmington. This 22 km (14 mile) hike takes around 6.5 hours, with farmland paths, airy ridgelines, and sweeping sea views.

We set out from Berwick, passing cottages, fields, and churches before reaching Wilmington and the 70-metre hillside figure who has watched over the Downs for centuries.

From his feet, the trail climbs steadily towards the village of Jevington, reputed birthplace of the Beef Wellington, before ascending Combe Hill, where the South Downs spread their wings: patchwork fields on one side, the shimmer of the Channel on the other, skylarks above and sheep grazing below.

The journey ends in Eastbourne, where we can toast the day with a well-earned drink or head straight for the next train home. Rolling fields, sweeping hills, a giant hillside figure, and the sea just a short walk away, this is Sussex at its finest. Join us for a classic adventure.

🛑 IMPORTANT: THIS HIKE IS FOR INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED WALKERS WITH GOOD FITNESS.

✅ WHO CAN JOIN:

• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Adults aged 21 and over
• 👶 No children
• 🐾 No pets (allergies/phobias)
• 🚫 If you have a history of no-shows, you may be moved to the waitlist.

📅 RSVP POLICY:
Please RSVP only if you can attend, and update your response if your plans change. Repeated no-shows or late cancellations could limit your ability to join future events. On the day, we will check in attendees individually to confirm attendance; anyone who does not turn up will be marked as a no-show.

🚆 TRAIN COSTS FROM LONDON:

• Buy a return from London Victoria to Eastbourne
• Option 1: £43.90 (standard adult fare, no discount)
• Option 2: £29.20 each with a Network Railcard discount
• Option 3: £13 each with a DaySave Group Ticket (minimum 4 people per group; please coordinate with members via the event chat)
• Option 4: £13 direct payment to the organiser, who will purchase the group tickets.

..............................................................................................................
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦🚆🎟️ OPTIONAL: DaySave (GroupSave) Tickets:
A GroupSave (also known as a DaySave) ticket with Southern Railway lets groups travel together for just £13 per person. It provides unlimited off-peak travel on Southern trains for a whole day, so you can hop on and off as often as you like and explore multiple destinations.

For example, you could travel from London to Eastbourne, hike to Arundel, and return the same day for just £13 each, compared with paying much more for a standard return ticket even with a Network Railcard discount.

For clarity: a Network Railcard gives you one-third off most off-peak fares, but it does not provide a group discount.

A DaySave group ticket must be booked at least 3 days in advance and works best with groups of 4 or more people. It's a no brainer: travel together, save money, and enjoy more adventures for £13 instead of £30.

On the day of travel, the group will meet at the London meeting point and travel together as one. If anyone wishes to leave the group, they must do so in groups of four. Otherwise, the group is committed to staying together until the return journey to London Victoria. The group ticket requires both the outward and return journey to start and end at London Victoria.

For this event, those who wish to join a DaySave from London can have tickets pre-purchased in bulk by the host. This requires a non-refundable payment of £13 per participant a few days before the event, payable to the organiser via bank transfer, PayPal, Revolut, or Monzo. No payment means no group ticket.

When you RSVP, please reply YES if you would like to be included in a group ticket. A few days before the event, you will be asked to make the £13 payment to secure your place. Once payments have been received, the host will purchase group tickets in batches of four.

Alternatively, attendees may arrange their own transport, whether that’s a DaySave, another group ticket, an advance ticket, or car travel.

if you want the organiser to buy your group ticket:

**PAYMENT OPTIONS**
Go to [https://www.meetup.com/freehiketogether/events/311007369/] and read instructions.

⏰ Ticket offer closes:
Wednesday, 24 September 2025 at 09:00 (British Summer Time)
You’ll find more the details below.

..............................................................................................................

📍 MEETING POINT OPTION 1:

• 08:15 – Meet at London Victoria ticket office
• 08:35 – Leave meeting point to board the train early to get a seat!
• 08:54 – Train departs London Victoria
• 09:56 – Change at Lewes
• 10:14 – Train departs Lewes
• 10:25 – Arrive at Berwick

📍 MEETING POINT OPTION 2:

• 10:25 – Berwick railway station

🚶WALK STARTS:

• 10:25 – Berwick railway station (We will start a few minutes after leaving the train and completing check-in; dont't be late!)

🏁 WALK FINISHES:

• 17:30 – approx. arrival at Eastbourne railway station

🍔 FOOD:

• Packed lunch around 12:00 (after ~1.5 hrs / 7 km).

🌳 TOILETS:

• Use the train toilets before you begin walking.
• Nature facilities during the hike
• End of hike in Eastbourne

👣 STAYING TOGETHER:
Stay in sight of others. If you’re at the front, pause at junctions; if you’re at the back, make sure you can see someone ahead. We all share responsibility for keeping the group together. Depending on the pace, it may be dark towards the end of the hike, so bring a head torch.

↩️ RETURN TRAINS TO LONDON:

• 18:05 - From Eastbourne, arrive back in London Victoria: 19:36
• 18:33 - From Eastbourne, arrive back in London Victoria: 20:06
• 19:05 - From Eastbourne, arrive back in London Victoria: 20:36

💪 TERRAIN, CONDITIONS AND DIFFICULTY:

• Distance: 22 km (13.7 mi)
• Ascent/Descent: +375 m / −393 m
• Terrain: fields, uneven paths, gravel tracks, woodlands, country lanes, and chalky ground
• Elevation: 197 m max / 6 m min
• Walking time: 6.5 hrs
• Total time (with breaks): ~7.5 hrs
• Average pace: 4.5–5.5 km/h, steady (fast enough to keep warm, slow enough to chat)

🎒 WHAT TO BRING:

• Packed lunch and snacks
• At least two litres of water
• Sturdy hiking boots (for mud, rocks, and uneven trails)
• Layers and waterproofs (the weather can change quickly)
• Sun protection: hat, sunglasses, sunscreen
• Personal medication, blister plasters, and a basic first aid kit
• Antihistamines (for allergies or insect bites)
• Optional: walking poles
• A fully charged phone for emergencies
• Head torch
• Bring your happy face and a sense of adventure

📞 CONTACT:

• Message the event host directly via Meetup with any questions.

...
⚠️DISCLAIMER:
By joining, you confirm you’ve read and accepted the group policy on the About page. You are responsible for your own safety, and neither the host nor the group can be held liable for injury, loss, or damage.
...

We can’t wait to welcome you on the trail 🥾🌳🌞