Outdooraholics London, Hiking & Adventure Travel 25 to 49ish

Welcome to West Sussex with its iconic Ouse Valley Viaduct - a magnificent 11 million brick Victorian structure said to be the most beautiful in all of England - and also a great photo opportunity in the arches for any Instagrammers.

We take on a magnificent hike starting from the quaint village of Balcombe to explore several Sussex gems such as Balcombe lake, Ardingly Reservoir, Wakehurst Place, River’s Wood and of course the stunning Ouse Valley Viaduct. We also pass the Millenium Seedbank - the world's largest wild plant seedbank with 1.9 billion seeds and seventy five thousand species. Join us on a delightful exploration of some of Sussex’s best gems.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Walk under the 11 million brick Ouse Valley viaduct with it's "never ending" arches
• Pass the Millenium Seedbank - storing 1.9 billion seeds
• Enjoy ice creams or hot drinks at the Ardingly Reservoir
• Gorgeous wooded trails winding through the Sussex Weald
• Visit the vast Ardingly Reservoir which holds 5 billion litres of fresh water

HIKE DESCRIPTION

A fantastic hike starting from the rural station of Balcombe, straight out into the fields of Sussex and taking in some diverse landscapes.

We head off under the elegant and extravagant Ouse Valley viaduct famous for its symmetrical arches that appear to go on to infinity. Built in 1841 at a cost then of £38500 and with 11 million bricks imported from Holland it was a lavish and exuberant expression of the wealth that the railways were generating. We then pass by the tranquil Ardingly reservoir - home to a great number of bird species. Hiking through woods, fields and up the hills, we get to Wakehurst Place (a 16th century mansion and the National Trust's most visited admission fee charging property). Finally, we visit the picturesque little Balcombe Lake hidden among the trees.

MEETING POINT

A picturesque adventure through England's most wooded county with a variety of attractions from historic buildings, picture postcard rural rivers and even a Witches cave. A glorious circular hike from the ancient market town of Farnham steeped in history going back nearly 1000 years on this trail through time.

One of the very first Outdooraholics hikes from 2012, but still a timeless classic - written by our senior guide Graham who grew up here for 18 years, we show you this area and all its hidden gems!

HIGHLIGHTS

Come and join us on this spectacular trail which takes us over three long hilly ridges following the South Downs Way. We also cross lush river valleys in one of our most spectacular and dramatic day hikes. Much of this landscape was formed by glaciers in the last ice age.

We'll get superb far reaching panoramic views as far as the sea from the elevated ridges we hike on for much of the day and also the chance to hike along the unique white chalk paths of the South Downs National Park. After the hike we'll return back to the attractive and ancient market market town of Lewes.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Spectacular elevated hike on the high ridges of the South Downs
• Distant coastal views including of the Seven Sisters cliffs
• Visit a 2500 year old Iron Age Hill Fort site
• Cross the Greenwich Meridian line separating the Eastern and Western Hemispheres
• Hike through dramatic Glacial “dry valleys”
• Hike part of the famous South Downs Way National Park

HIKE DESCRIPTION

We'll start off in the historic town of Lewes which is a well preserved Sussex market town dating back to the 6th century. We're soon out on our rural trail that leads us into the rich tapestry of colourful landscapes, tranquility and breathtaking views of the area. Crossing the river Ouse and it's beautiful valley, we make headway into the South Downs, going further into Britain’s newest National Park. Along our hike over several hills and summits, we visit Mount Caburn which was the site of an Iron Age hill fort dating back to 400 BC along with 140 burial pits with a few ditches still remaining. We also pass by the village of Rodmell where Virginia Woolf lived nearby in Monk's House and we cross the footbridge of the River Ouse, where her lifetime story ended abruptly.

We join part of the famous South Down Way which is the first bridleway National Trail. Our trail rewards us with a good few reminders of how near to the coast we are here with good views of the Channel we can even see as far as the legendary Seven Sisters coastal cliffs.

MEETING POINT

Come and join us for what is our most popular day hike and the most exhilarating coastal hike in the South East of England, with breathtaking views of the striking and dramatic white cliffs. A good proportion of the hike is up high on the cliffs as they loom down over the sea beneath. We're off to Sussex to hike the classic Seven Sisters hike from Seaford to Eastbourne, a hike Outdooraholics have been organising for nearly 11 years and have had over 130 wonderful trips here. It is epic!

HIGHLIGHTS

• Hike one of the most spectacular coastal hikes in England
• A great physical challenge with several easy options to shorten if needed
• Enjoy amazing views over the coastline for much of this hike
• Finish in Eastbourne - England's sunniest town
• Explore the South Downs National Park - the newest in the UK

HIKE DESCRIPTION

This hike treats us with many iconic views and fresh sea air high up on the cliffs. The Seven Sisters are a series of white chalk cliffs and are set within the Seven Sisters Country Park. They are remnants of dry valleys in the South Downs and were formed at the end of the last Ice Age by glacial meltwater. There are in fact now eight sisters as an extra one has been created by coastal erosion.

Our hike starts in the coastal town of Seaford which is home to a Martello Tower from 1810 which formed part of a string of 103 towers to defend against French invasion in Napoleonic times. It then follows the cliffs along the South Downs way past Birling Gap and the Belle Tout lighthouse. The lighthouse was actually moved 17 metres in 1999 to stop it from falling victim to coastal erosion. Our hike shall then take us on to the beauty spot of Beachy Head which has a more sinister side, before we head to Eastbourne for some refreshments in a delightful pub.

MEETING POINT