FREE HIKE 20 Km: Coastal Downs & Parkland Circular Walk

📈 Grade: 🥾🥾🥾 Level 3/5 – Moderate, mostly flat with one big hill.
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📍 MEETING POINT: 10:20 - Goring-by-Sea railway station
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🚶 WALK STARTS: 10:30 - Goring-by-Sea railway station
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🏁 WALK FINISHES: Approx. 17:00 – Goring-by-Sea railway station
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⚠️ DIFFICULTY:

• Distance: ~20 km circular
• Difficulty: MODERATE
• Approx Elevation gain: 246m
• Estimated Duration: ~6.5 hours (including breaks)
• Pace: ~4.5 to 5.5 km/h (a steady, comfortable pace suitable for conversation)

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🗻 TERRAIN: A mix of woodland trails, fields and coastal paths. One big hill with gradual ascent and descent.
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📜 ABOUT: Join us for a varied and scenic hike combining Sussex coastline, rolling downs, historic parkland and quiet village paths. We start from Goring-by-Sea Station, heading inland to climb Highdown Hill, where expansive views stretch across the coast and the South Downs.

From Highdown we continue through Patching village, enjoying its rural charm before entering the beautiful Angmering Park Estate. This section offers peaceful estate tracks, open pasture and woodland edges.

We then loop back towards Highdown Hill before descending to follow the tranquil Ferring Rife, a lovely contrast of water, reeds and birdlife. The route leads us out to Ferring Beach, where shingle and sea views provide a refreshing coastal finale.

Our return follows the Ilex Way, a pleasant and easy-going path back towards Goring-by-Sea. The walk finishes close to the station, with an optional pub stop nearby for those who fancy a well-earned drink or bite to eat.

A rewarding circular walk offering hills, coast and countryside in one outing.
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🌟HIGHLIGHTS:

• Highdown Hill
• Angmering Park Estate Woods
• Ferring Rife
• Ferring Beach

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✅ WHO CAN JOIN: Adults aged 21, no children, no pets
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💰 COST: Free
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📅 RSVP POLICY: Please RSVP only if you can attend, and update your response if your plans change. Repeated no-shows or late cancellations may limit future sign-ups. On the day, we will check in attendees individually. Anyone who does not arrive will be marked as a no-show.
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🚗🅿️💰BY CAR: Limited parking available at the Goring-by-Sea Railway Station Car Park or free on-street parking on Goring Street or Goring Way a short distance from the station.
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🚂 OPTIONAL LONDON GROUP TRAVEL: Tickets: Buy a return from London Victoria to Goring-by-Sea. From £8 advance or £26.70 with Network Railcard discount or £40.10 without (correct at time of posting). Please coordinate with the group at the meeting point if you require Network Railcard discounted tickets. Alternatively you can travel in groups of 4 people for £13 each using Southern Rail DaySave tickets.

• 08:15 Meet at London Victoria ticket office
• 08:30 Leave meeting point to board the train
• 08:46 Train departs London Victoria
• 10:18 Arrive at Goring-by-Sea railway station

Please always check before you travel for any changes.
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🍔 LUNCH: Packed lunch and snacks. We will stop at World's End pub at lunchtime for facilities and possibility to buy drinks and snacks but not long enough for full pub lunch. Lunch break: approximately 30 to 40 minutes, depending on pace and timing.
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🚻 TOILETS: Discreet nature stops, Highdown Hill, World's End pub, Ferring beach public toilets
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👣 STAYING TOGETHER: A dedicated back marker is not always present, so please keep others in sight and avoid moving too far ahead or falling too far behind. Faster walkers should wait at junctions. The hike leader will pause at key points to regroup and reduce the chance of anyone becoming separated from the group. If you are unable to keep up with the group, you may be asked to navigate your own way back to safety, as it would be unreasonable to hold up a large number of people who have signed up for an event that is above your current fitness level.
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🎒WHAT TO BRING:

• Packed lunch, snacks, and at least 2 litres of water
• Sturdy hiking boots
• Layers and waterproofs
• A warm layer such as a fleece or insulating jacket
• Sun protection
• Personal medication
• Basic first aid and blister plasters
• Optional walking poles (recommended for some descents)
• Fully charged phone
• Head torch
• Portable phone charger or power bank
• Dry bags or a waterproof cover for your backpack
• Whistle for emergencies
• Some cash or a bank card

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🚂 RETURN TRAINS TO LONDON: Regular trains run from Goring-by-Sea to London Victoria.
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📞 CONTACT: Message the event host Vickie directly via Meetup with any questions.
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⚠️ DISCLAIMER: By joining, you confirm that you have 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.