The long man of Wilmington, a walk in South Downs National Park

GRADE: Advanced , 24km /15miles, 574m ascent, approx 6.5 - 7hrs walking time on good paths with some steep hills. This is a long hard walk, please ensure you can keep up a reasonable pace over the distance.

This walk takes us high onto the ridge line of the South Downs with spectacular views in all directions passing through the picturesque village of Alfriston and the Long Man of Wilmington, a figure caved into the chalk in neolithic times.
Starting from Berwick and following the Vanguard Way we reach Alfriston with the historics Star Inn, originally a religious hostel built in 1345 that used to accommodate monks and pilgrims en route from Battle Abbey to Chichester Cathedral and the Shrine of St Richard, patron saint of Sussex.
From Alfriston we cross the Cuckmere River where a steep climb takes us to Windover Hill past neolithic burial mounds to the trig point of 214m. From there we take a shrort detour to see the Long Man of Wilmington.
Continuing along the ridge we pass the picturesque South Downs village of Jevington, the birthplace of Banoffi pie, one of the best loved puddings in the world, where we stop for lunch. We then follow the South Downs Way towards the coast and the path to enter the outskirts of Eastbourne to join the seafront by the pier.
You are welcome to join us for a well earned drink and some food or take the train home.

MEETING POINT: 08:25 London Victoria Station by the information booth near platform 12.

COST: £10 organiser fee payable on RSVP

TRAINS: London Victoria Station 08:54 train arriving at Berwick Station 10:25 (via Lewes where we change) journey time 1h 31 mins, 1 change. Alternatively you can meet us outside Berwick at 10:30. Return train ticket to Eastbourne. You can buy a group save ticket on the day or with Network railcard - costs approx £29.

WALK STARTS: 10:30 at Berwick Station

LUNCH: Pack lunch, snacks

WALK FINISHES: Approx 18:00 at Eastbourne.

HIKE LEADER: Fofi

What to bring: lunch, snacks, water, suitable clothing and hiking footwear.
Kit list: click here (https://www.meetup.com/GO-London/pages/Kit_List%27s/)
Terms and conditions: by signing up to a GO London event you are agreeing with our terms and conditions and participation statement. click here (https://www.meetup.com/GO-London/pages/Terms_And_Conditions/)
To view our full calendar: https://www.meetup.com/GO-London/events/
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/GoLondonAdventure/
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups
GoLondonHiking/