A Midsummer Night Out on the Downs (26 miles/Strenuous)

Metropolitan Walkers is part of the Ramblers, Britain's walking charity. All welcome for 3 'taster' walks, after which please join the Ramblers - info on the Met Walkers website

THIS WALK REQUIRES BOOKING VIA MEETUP – please click 'attend' below.

We'll experience a different side to the South Downs, walking through the night, from dusk on Friday until after dawn on Saturday. We'll hope for a clear night, which should see the light of the full moon on chalk and Channel, either side of the twinkling lights of the coast. Emerging from the gloom of Friston Forest, we'll find the beaches at Cuckmere Haven and Birling Gap bathing in the first hues of a new day. We'll probably still have them all to ourselves though, just like the crossing of the Seven Sisters clifftops between them, as we head into the rising sun. After that, Eastbourne will beckon for a well-earned hearty breakfast.

Those who attended the previous edition of this walk in 2022 are of course welcome but please note the route is exactly the same.

The walk will not be particularly fast (there's no point arriving before the possibility of breakfast/trains!). Where possible, the route follows rolling ridgetops and minimises climbs on or off. No previous experience of night walks is necessary. However, this is still a long walk at unsociable hours with a few steep climbs and no realistic drop-out except a long taxi ride. It is therefore only suitable for those who know they are comfortable with strenuous day walks.

Optional pub stop at start of walk (!), please bring plenty of water and snacks, layers in case of a chilly night, and a torch (preferably a head torch) plus a spare battery/torch. Last time some enjoyed a bracing early-morning dip during a break at the beach. There'll be time for this again, but please consider risks (including strong currents) and ability/energy levels for yourself (leader is certainly not an expert swimmer!).

Arrival into Eastbourne is unlikely to be much before 8:00am, but might of course be later depending on progress. Last time most caught a train around 10:00am, after breakfast.

Terrain: Hills, woods, coast

Travel: Please meet at The Depot Bar and Kitchen, attached to the cinema next to Lewes Station - https://lewesdepot.org . Food and drinks will be available there (or elsewhere in Lewes) before the walk starts promptly at 8:00pm. Please arrive in plenty of time if you want to eat in Lewes (leader will be on the 17:24 from London Victoria).

Buy return (not a day return!) to Eastbourne, or two singles.

Grading: Strenuous.
For an explanation of the gradings, please see the FAQ - please consider both the length and grade when choosing a walk.

Finish point: Eastbourne station
More info: https://www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking/group-walks/midsummer-night-out-downs

Photo credit: John Lovett (2022 night walk)