South Downs & Beachy Head from Eastbourne Station - 22 miles

This is a ride we first did in 2024 incorporating a number of trails including part of the South Downs Way and the Seven Sisters Trail. It's now a 22 mile circular ride starting and ending at Eastbourne Station with 2250ft of climbing. This is an amended route from the 25 mile ride we pioneered in 2024 and as some of the terrain is quite technical it suits MTBs or gravel bikes and you should be reasonably fit to cope with the hills.

For those taking the train I would suggest Clapham Junction arriving at Eastbourne in time for a 10am start. For the return to London I suggest you book after 5pm from Eastbourne.

There's various car parks in the area but should you wish to park at Eastbourne Station Car Park, the Sunday daily rate is £5.40 and the address for your GPS is Commercial Road, BN21 3XE. The car park is operated by APCOA and can be paid for using the App.

We should met at The Foundry coffee shop which used to be the old ticket office and is just outside the station. The ride starts at Eastbourne Station and we pedal out of town to the Weald Way where we head North towards Jevington and Folkington using Byways and cycle tracks. We then loop South through the Lillington Nature Reserve to East Dean where we stop for lunch at The Tiger Inn. A lovely old pub with a great outside space for the bikes and delicious Appleshed Cider on tap. I highly recommend having some of their thick triple cooked chips.

After lunch there's a lovely downhill dash to the Birling Gap where we join the Southdowns Way to pedal up and along the cliff tops to Beachy Head. From Beachy Head it's a short ride to Eastbourne. We aim to arrive at Eastbourne around 5-5.30.

£4 Fee Applies: PAY ON THE DAY

CYCLING CAN BE DANGEROUS, YOU JOIN THIS RIDE AT YOUR OWN RISK