Long Man of Wilmington to coastal cliffs of Seaford Head, 19km

This absolutely stunning walk starts inland from South Downs National Park to the dramatic chalk sea cliffs of the coast - it will include amazing changing landscapes, hills, valleys, cute villages, walking along the banks of the Cuckmere River, gasping at the incredible beauty of Seaford Head Local Nature Reserve and the sight of the spectacular and legendary Seven Sisters cliffs, and passing two large chalk figures on steep hill slopes along the way: The Long Man of Wilmington and Litlington White Horse.

The Long Man of Wilmington is a 235ft high chalk figure of a man holding two sticks. This mysterious giant guardian of the South Downs has baffled archaeologists and historians for hundreds of years – no one really knows who or why he was carved out of the earth. He continues to remain shrouded in myths and folklore and is one of Sussex's greatest mysteries. The Long Man is Europe’s largest portrayal of the human form and a Scheduled Ancient Monument. It used to be visible only under certain light conditions in the past, until its outline was marked with concrete blocks to make it clearly visible from a distance. During the Second World War, it was painted green to avoid being used as a landmark by enemy aircraft.

Litlington White Horse is 65 ft high and 93 ft long and consists of 6 tons of chalk. It is unclear why this horse was carved out of the hillside. According to the National Trust, the original horse was crafted by some men in 1836. The present horse was carved in 1924 to replace the lost original; it was done by the grandson of one of the men from 1836.

We'll follow the meandering Cuckmere River to where it flows into the English Channel at Cuckmere Haven, a quiet shingle beach dominated by the spectacular white chalk cliffs of the Seven Sisters to the east (this is a popular film location!). Once you've soaked up the breath-taking view of the vertical cliffs, we'll climb Seaford Head to the west of the beach and admire the world-famous iconic view of the majestic Seven Sisters. This vast area covering Seaford Head cliffs and Cuckmere Valley is the Seaford Head Local Nature Reserve, encompassing many valuable conservation habitats. We'll walk along the cliff-top to reach Seaford on the coast.

IMPORTANT RISK WARNING:
One section of the hike (along Seaford Head), takes place along the top of coastal cliffs which are in a state of constant erosion. There is no proper fencing. Please keep a very safe distance from the edge. It is extremely dangerous to venture too close to the crumbling cliff edges; there are sheer drops here and any fall will almost certainly be fatal.

Cost: £4 organiser fee payable on RSVP

Start time: 10:30am

Start location: Berwick (Sussex) station BN26 6TB. My mobile: 07951673142

End location: Seaford’s Esplanade Car Park at the seafront BN25 1JT next to the coastal cliffs and beach huts (Seaford station is a 15min walk away)

Length: 19km

Ascent: 377m

Time: approx 7.5 hrs. It’s not possible to guarantee what time we'll finish as it depends on the weather, pace of the group and our breaks along the way. Please be prepared to dedicate the entire day as the return time cannot be guaranteed. There will be opportunities for refreshments along the way.

Pace/Difficulty: reasonable and moderate pace; we will not zoom along in a mad rush. There will be breaks. The aim is to enjoy nature and have a fun, friendly day. This is a long hike across some hills with a moderate level of ascent and it may not be suitable for absolute beginners.

Transport (train): The 8:54am train from London Victoria reaches Berwick (Sussex) station at 10:25am. Check the trains before travel. You could coordinate with other participants and buy a group saver ticket. This is a linear hike and your return to London is from Seaford station.

Transport (car share): I'll be driving from Ealing, West London and have space for 3 passengers. Contact me directly if you'd like to car share.

What to bring:
Check the weather and bring appropriate gear. A comfortable backpack, waterproof jacket, sufficient food, snacks, and water along with suitable socks and footwear (waterproof hiking boots) are some essentials. Walkways and trails can be steep, muddy, and slippery and boots with ankle support will be useful, as well as hiking poles. Gaitors are handy when its muddy and wet. Carrying waterproof socks in your backpack is a good idea in case your boots get wet from the inside. Don't wear inappropriate clothing such as jeans and sneakers. Remember to carry any medication you may require. If it’s sunny, don’t forget a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen!

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER / TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
By participating, you confirm you have read, understood and accepted the below, including the full Terms and Conditions
I am NOT a qualified hike leader or first aider.
Hiking, walking, and hill walking carry the risk of personal injury and death. Participants must be aware of, and accept, the risks. Participants are responsible for their own safety and actions and agree not to hold me responsible or liable for any injury (or death), damage or losses incurred either directly or indirectly from their participation in group events. This group is for people 18 years old and over.