South Downs Ridge, Cuckmere Haven - Saturday, 17 Aug 2024

Everyone's favourite walk. It starts with a South Downs Ridge walk. We will visit the picturesque village of Alfriston. After that there is Cuckmere Haven (a pretty river valley), and a coastal cliff walk into Seaford. You can swim at Cuckmere Haven or Seaford!!

How to find us

Maria will be at the meeting point detailed in the section "Transport and Meeting Point" below. In case of difficulties locating her, you can call her on 07535295739

Trip Highlights:

• Hike one of the most spectacular coastal hikes in England
• Marvellous views across the lush valleys to the north and down to the sea
• The route goes through Firle Park and then follows the South Downs Way for much of the day.
• Finish in Seaford
• If the weather is good enough, let's go swim!!

Dog

Dogs can use this trail as well, but must be on a leash.

Hike Description

There are three lovely villages to enjoy during the course of the day, all with open churches: West Firle, West Dean, and the old smuggling village of Alfriston, which likes to call its church a cathedral.

During the walk, you get a good view of Firle Tower, a watchkeeper's residence. Firle Place was the seat of Sir John Gage, who helped Henry VIII with the dissolution of the monasteries, despite retaining the old religion himself.

The Alfriston Clergy House was the first building to be acquired by the National Trust, in 1896, for £10. A Wealden hall house with a thatched roof, contains a medieval hall and has a cottage garden with some rare specimens.

The chalky cliffs of the Seven Sisters developed under the sea, 70 to 100 million years ago – the chalk is mainly made up of microscopic fossils. Later the chalk cliffs dipped beneath the sea again and came up covered in silt and sand, still visible as the top layer.

Transport & Meeting Point

We'll meet at London Victoria train station at 8:30am and leave the meeting point at 8:40am.

We will be near the ticket machines, WHSmith and Boots.

Food

We will stop during the hike for a snack lunch so please bring food and drink. We will visit a pub after the hike where we can get refreshments.

Cost

The cost includes the guided hike and return train travel from the group departure station listed at the top of this event.

Price:

• Members: £30
• No Members: £38

What to Bring

• Suitable hiking clothes & hiking footwear, ideally hiking boots. Waterproof jacket, trousers and footwear are recommended
• Water, at least 1 and ideally 2 litres
• Packed lunch/picnic
• Money for drinks and refreshments after the hike
• That's it! We will take care of train tickets, logistics on the day etc, so that you can just turn up and have a great day :-)

Cliffs - danger

There are sheer drops off the cliffs and some of these soft chalk cliffs are crumbling at the edges with chunks regularly falling and no fencing in place. Please keep at least 3 metres away from the edges. If you fall, or the ground at the edge of the cliff collapses it will almost certainly be fatal.

IMPORTANT NOTE: To reserve a place you must make the full payment, otherwise the reservation will not be accepted.

Do not forget to send a copy of the payment with the full name and contact telephone number of the attendees. You can send this data by email events@hikinginlondon.co.uk or by whatsapp 07535295739.

Safety and Terms and Conditions

Payments are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Photos & Video - All were taken by the hike leader on previous trips so are the actual views that you will see from the route that you'll be hiking.

By signing up for this event you agree to the Terms and Conditions