Stunning South Downs way and beautiful white cliffs walk.

My favourite walk in the South East mixing stunning views from the South Downs Ridge and the beautiful chalk cliffs of the Seven Sisters, both Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty to visits to the lovely villages of Firle and Alfriston. What better way to spend a summers day. We will stop in Alfriston for at least an hour for lunch giving time to explore the village.

Walk Highlights

South Downs Way ridge,

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Picture postcard Alfriston,

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Cuckmere Haven beach and the White cliffs with stuning views of the Seven Sisters,

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Seaford beach: Celebrate completing the walk with lovely views.

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Walk description:

Join us on another fun hike with marvellous views across the lush valleys of the south downs and down to the sea. We will pass three lovely villages during the course of the day, all with open churches: West Firle, West Dean and the old smuggling village of Alfriston, (which likes to call its church a cathedral). From Alfriston the route follows the riverbank through the Cuckmere Valley and through Friston Forest down to Exceat, an extinct village on the edge of the Seven Sisters Country Park, where there is a Visitors’ Centre. The Vanguard Way then leads through the Seaford Head Nature Reserve – hoopoe, bluethroat and wryneck have been seen here – to the beach at Cuckmere Haven, where we will be enjoying the views of the white cliffs of the Seven Sisters. Finally there is a walk along the coastal path and down into Seaford, a seaside town with a long esplanade and reconstructed shingle beach. For those who would like to stay to we will head to a local pub to celebrate completing the walk:)

Please note: depending on how fast the group walk and the weather there is an option to shorten the walk from Cuckmere Haven.

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Walk info in a nutshell:

Start: Meet at Victoria station at 09:15 to purchase a group saver ticket (GroupSave offers a 34% discount on the adult fare for between 3 and 9 people when travelling together). The train leaves at 09:46 and is scheduled to arrive at Glydne station at 11.21.

Meeting Point: Victoria Train Station - outside Upper Crust, next to platform 13.

Distance: 23km (14.3 miles). We will allow approximately 5-6 hours for walking, depending upon the speed of the group and excluding any breaks.

Return Journey: Return trains leave every half an hour from Seaford station at 27 and 57 minutes past the hour. We will need to change at Lewes station and take the London train which takes about an hour to Clapham Junction.

What to wear: Appropriate walking clothes and footwear - ideally hiking boots as the path could be muddy in places. No trainers of jeans please.

Lunch: We will stop in Alfriston for an hour there are a few nice pubs and a lovely tea house. Also an nice square for a packed lunch. (please also bring at least 1 litre of water)

Toughness: 8 out of 10

Cost: the hike cost £7.50 this covers the hike and pay pal fee. (Train ticket is not included).

Please note: It is impossible to state a specific return time as it depends on weather conditions, the general pace of the group and other unplanned factors. Those who decide to join the hike, please consider yourself committed for the entire day.

IMPORTANT:

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