| 01
| Wendover Circular
|
|
| This energetic walk serves as a fine introduction to the Chiltern Hills,
first passing through woodland, then descending into hidden vales and fields
before emerging out onto the Chiltern escarpment above Princes Risborough at a
spot that commands panoramic views of the countryside below. After lunch in
Whiteleaf, a pretty village with many ancient cottages, the return to Wendover
goes through wooded valleys and hills reminiscent of an earlier age. Then the
walk continues along a fine open section of escarpment, with grand views north,
before descending to the plains for a leisurely finish, in contrast to the
landscape passed earlier. This walk is particularly pretty in autumn when it is
a riot of russet hues.
|
|
| 1 Wendover Circular
| 18.5
| (11.5 miles)
|
| Toughness: 7
|
|
| 1a Via Cross Coppice short cut
| 13.5
| (8.4 miles)
|
|
|
|
| 1b Wendover to Monk's Risborough
| 11.2
| (7.0 miles)
|
|
|
|
| 1c Monk's Risborough to Wendover
| 9.7
| (6.0 miles)
|
|
|
|
|
| 02
| Saunderton via Bledlow Circular
|
|
| This walk through a peaceful part of the rolling Chiltern Hills has one or
two steep hills, but otherwise gradients are gentle and there are many fine
views out over the valley and plain. The first part of the walk follows the
valley bottom before following the Ridgeway to lunch at Bledlow. After lunch you
pass through a series of secluded valleys to return over the ridge to
Saunderton.
|
|
| 2 Saunderton via Bledlow Circular
| 17.3
| (10.7 miles)
|
| Toughness: 6
|
|
| 2a Short walk
| 9.0
| (5.6 miles)
|
|
|
|
|
| 03
| Saunderton via West Wycombe Circular
|
|
| This walk combines a fairly easy stroll in the Chilterns through a mixture of
woodland and sloping meadows, with an optional visit to Hughenden Manor and West
Wycombe Caves. The route heads south east over the Chiltern Hills to Bradenham,
and continues through Naphill Common, and Flagmore Wood to Hughenden Manor. The
route from Hughenden heads west across Downley Common to West Wycombe Caves for
the recommended tea stop. After a brisk climb from the Caves up to Dashwood
Mausoleum, it is then an easy level stroll back into Saunderton.
|
|
| 3 Saunderton via West Wycombe Circular
| 16.0
| (9.9 miles)
|
| Toughness: 4
|
|
| 3a Short walk
| 9.3
| (5.8 miles)
|
|
|
|
|
| 04
| Chesham to Great Missenden
|
|
| This walk makes for an easy day out from London. It starts in Chesham, the
hustle and bustle of which is soon left behind for sloping fields, woods and
hamlets. The route follows the Chilterns Link, but diverts at Herberts Hole to
take a higher southerly path. It then picks up the Chilterns Link again through
to Ballinger Bottom and Lee Common, and so to lunch in the charming village
called The Lee. From lunch the walk continues on a gently undulating course,
before a gentle climb through woods up to Frith Hill and down a steep descent
into Great Missenden.
|
|
| 4 Chesham to Great Missenden
| 15.5
| (9.6 miles)
|
| Toughness: 3
|
|
| 4a Short walk
| 9.5
| (5.9 miles)
|
|
|
|
|
| 05
| Tring Circular
|
|
| The first part of this route, follows the Ridgeway along the Chiltern
escarpment to Ivinghoe Beacon - is exhilarating, offering downland scenery as
fine as anything on the South Downs. Then by way of contrast, you are then
plunged into ancient Chiltern woodland, lovingly preserved by the National Trust
and as pretty in May, when it is alive with bluebells, as in autumn when it is a
riot of colour. Tea is at a National Trust kiosk on the Ashridge Estate,
or in the stunningly pretty village of Aldbury. The paths are generally pleasant
and easy underfoot, but note that on the Ridgeway the exposed chalk in some of
the paths can be slippery in the wet, and in the woods the paths can be very
muddy in winter.
|
|
| 5 Tring Circular
| 17.6
| (11.0 miles)
|
| Toughness: 5
|
|
| 5a Shorter walk via short cut
| 13.2
| (8.3 miles)
|
|
|
|
| 5b Extension from Aldbury to Berkhampsted
| +7.2
| (+4.5 miles)
|
|
|
|
| 5c Short walk from Tring to Berkhamsted
| 9.5
| (5.7 miles)
|
|
|
|
|
| 06
| Henley via Stonor Circular
|
|
| Henley is normally thought of as a riverside town, but as this walk
demonstrates, it is also on the southern edge of the Chiltern Hills, a charming
area of largely gentle slopes, hidden valleys, and mixed wood and farmland. The
walk takes up one side and down the other of the long valley leading up to
Stonor, with plenty of charming views over hill en route. Lunch is at a very
pretty and quiet pub in the village of Pishill, and the return is past hidden
farms and through ancient woods into Henley, with its excellent tea rooms.
|
|
| 6 Henley via Stonor Circular
| 21.9
| (13.6 miles)
|
| Toughness: 7
|
|
| 6a Short walk
| 14.0
| (8.7 miles)
|
|
|
|
| 6b Via Stonor short cut
| 19.4
| (12.0 miles)
|
|
|
|
|
| 07
| Henley via Hambleden Circular
|
|
| Though it goes to the picturesque flint stone village of Hambleden for lunch,
this pleasant and undemanding walk follows a different route out and back from
Henley from the Henley Round walk in the first Time Out Book of Country Walks.
In the morning it follows the left bank of the river along one of the most
famous stretches of the upper Thames (it is here that the famous Henley Regatta
is held each summer), before passing through pastures and woodland to Hambleden.
After lunch, it follows the valley down to cross the Thames over the weir at
Hambleden Mill and Aston, and then crosses the lower part of Remenham Hill to
return to Henley in good time for tea.
|
|
| 7 Henley via Hambleden Circular
| 14.9
| (9.3 miles)
|
| Toughness: 3
|
|
| 7a via short cut to Hambleden
| 12.8
| (7.9 miles)
|
|
|
|
| 7b Henley to Hambledon Mill
| 10.3
| (6.4 miles)
|
|
|
|
|
| 08
| Marlow Circular
|
|
| If all you know of the Thames is the grey muddy stretch that runs through
London, on this walk you are in for a pleasant surprise. The Thames above Marlow
is a lazy, tranquil river, which runs between pleasant meadows and overhanging
trees, occasionally overlooked by fine old manor houses. This walk follows the
Thames path for the first 8km (5 miles), passing the ancient village of Hurley,
little changed since the days when it was a Benedictine Abbey. Lunch is in Aston
or Hambleden, both quaint riverside villages. By contrast, the afternoon takes
you up over the wooded hills that frame the Thames Valley, and then down into
the well-preserved town of Marlow for tea. Note that much of the morning passes
along the flood plain of the Thames and about once every winter these live up to
their name and the route becomes impassable (a rise of less than 50 centimetres
in the level of the river is enough for this): so if planning this walk after a
period heavy rains, check with for any flood alerts before setting out.
|
|
| 8 Marlow Circular
| 19.4
| (12.1 miles)
|
| Toughness: 3
|
|
| 8a Marlow to Henley
| 13
| (8 miles)
|
|
|
|
| 8b Henley to Marlow
| 14.0
| (8.7 miles)
|
|
|
|
| 8c Henley to Hurley and back
| 8.8
| (5.5 miles)
|
|
|
|
|
| 10
| Alton Circular
|
|
| The quiet corner of Hampshire through which this walk passes seems like the
kind of countryside in which nothing much ever happened. Yet in the late 18th
and early 19th century it inspired two famous writers - Gilbert White and Jane
Austen. After a section over wide upland fields to East Worldham, the walk first
plunges into the delightful arcadia of woods, hangers and hidden pastures that
surround Selbourne, about which White wrote his famous Natural History.
From there, it crosses wooded Selbourne Common and gentle ridges of downland to
Chawton, the home of Jane Austen for the last eight, and most productive years,
of her life. On the way you can reflect on Austen's remark in Persuasion
that two villages only three miles apart "will often include a total change of
conversation, opinion and idea": though only a few miles apart, even today
Chawton and Selbourne seem like different worlds.
|
|
| 10 Alton Circular
| 21.0
| (13.1 miles)
|
| Toughness: 4
|
|
| 10a With short cut from Selbourne to Farringdon
| 19.4
| (12.1 miles)
|
|
|
|
| 10b Short walk to Chawton
| 11.8
| (7.3 miles)
|
|
|
|
|
| 11
| Petersfield to Liss
|
|
| Much of this walk follows part of the 21-mile Hangers Way,
a long distance path which lies within an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The name Hanger derives from the old English "Hangra" meaning a wooded slope.
The majority of the landscape is unspoilt and remains, as it was several hundred years ago.
There are two ascents to the top of Shoulder of Mutton Hill, one steep and one gentle.
Whichever route is taken, the view at the top is spectacular. The strenuous climb of Shoulder
of Mutton Hill aside, this is a walk of gentle gradients apart from one short steep downhill
section. Please note that the steeper route up the Shoulder of Mutton Hill on this walk can
become slippery in winter.
|
|
| 11 Petersfield to Liss
| 17.7
| (11.0 miles)
|
| Toughness: 7
|
|
| 11a Shorter Petersfield Circular
| 8.0
| (5.0 miles)
|
|
|
|
|
| 12
| Guildford to Farnham
|
|
| Think Surrey, and you probably think of pretty villages, gentle green
pastures, and the country houses of retired stockbrokers. The first part of this
walk conforms to that image, but the second, after lunch, takes you into the
surprisingly wild and uninhabited Surrey Heathlands - a vast area of woods,
sandy grassland and heather-covered moors which at times feels more like
southern Spain or Portugal than England.
The lack of habitation in this area means that it was either taken over by
the army for exercises or bypassed by the railways, and so to visit it requires
a long walk: the afternoon of this walk is 8 miles, or four hours walking time,
as long in itself as some of the walks in this book: this is thus a walk for a
long spring or summer day. The good news, however, is that there is no rush to
get to tea: the excellent Bush Hotel in Farnham serves cream teas in a lounge
crammed with comfortable sofas well into the evening.
Special note This walk was created by Nicholas Albery, author of the
first Time Out Book of Country Walks and the inspiration for this book, shortly
before his untimely death in June 2001. It is thus the last walk
he created, and the only one in this book to have been devised by him.
The walk came about because of the Foot and Mouth crisis of that year, which
meant most country footpaths were closed. To the immense gratitude of walkers,
Surrey was the first county in the South East to open its paths, and this walk
was created as a result. We were obviously hungry for exercise after the weeks
cooped up in town, because in May of that year we did this walk three weeks in a
row (once in reverse) without ever noticing its length.
Since Foot and Mouth restrictions are happily long gone, the author has been
able to introduce one or two variations to the original plan, mainly to
eliminate road walking and provide variety in the morning section. The walk is
otherwise exactly as Nicholas Albery created it.
|
|
| 12 Guildford to Farnham
| 22.2
| (13.8 miles)
|
| Toughness: 4
|
|
| 12a Guildford Circular
| 12.3
| (7.8 miles)
|
|
|
|
| 12b Guildford to Godalming
| 12.1
| (7.5 miles)
|
|
|
|
| 12c Farnham Circular (longer version)
| 16.2
| (10.1 miles)
|
|
|
|
| 12d Farnham Circular (shorter version)
| 14.4
| (9 miles)
|
|
|
|
|
| 13
| Guildford to Gomshall
|
|
| The section of the North Downs that runs eastwards from Guildford is one of
its most unspoiled stretches. The North Downs Way runs along its crest,
but this walk takes a more varied route, introducing not just the high grassy
ridges with their fine views, but also hidden valleys, ancient woodlands, and
the pretty farmland just below the Downs. It starts with a short steep
climb out of Guildford which leads straight to the dramatic viewpoint of Pewley
Down. Then it joins the North Downs Way to climb to the hilltop church of
St Martha-on-the-Hill. From there the route passes through undulating
farmland beneath the North Downs escarpment to lunch in the cute
village of Shere. The afternoon gives a contrasting view of the Downs,
involving a stiff climb up into ancient woodlands - carpeted with bluebells at
the end of April/early May - before descending to tea at a remote farmhouse.
|
|
| 13 Guildford to Gomshall
| 13.7
| (8.5 miles)
|
| Toughness: 5
|
|
| 13a via Shere short cut
| 10.9
| (6.8 miles)
|
|
|
|
| 13b Guildford to Chilworth
| 6.4
| (4.0 miles)
|
|
|
|
| 13c Guildford to Boxhill or Dorking
| 20.9
| (13.0 miles)
|
|
|
|
|
| 14
| Effingham Junction to Westhumble
|
|
| Effingham Junction to Dorking or Westhumble (Polesden Lacey)
The idyllic estate of Polesden Lacey, a fine country house nestling just
behind the North Downs escarpment, is the highlight of this walk - a landscape
of hidden valleys, pretty woodland, and gentle pasture that seems lost in a
golden yesterday. The walk has something to offer at almost any time of the
year. In spring, it passes through a number of fine bluebell woods, in autumn
there is plenty of fine golden colour in the woodlands, while in winter the bare
branches open up new views and vistas. In summer, the walk offers several fine
spots for a picnic, and despite being relatively close to London, a deep rural
tranquility. The long evenings also make this the best time to come if you want
to also make a detailed visit in the afternoon to the house and grounds at
Polesden Lacey.
|
|
| 14 Effingham Junction to Westhumble
| 15.7
| (9.7 miles)
|
| Toughness: 5
|
|
| 14a Via short cut
| 15.2
| (9.5 miles)
|
|
|
|
| 14b Westhumble Circular
| 12.0
| (7.5 miles)
|
|
|
|
| 14c Effingham Junction to Dorking
| 17.0
| (10.6 miles)
|
|
|
|
|
| 15
| Coulsdon South Circular
|
|
| Considering how quick the journey time from central London, this walk passes
through some remarkably unspoilt countryside. Part of the credit goes to the
Corporation of London who manage Farthing Down, Kenley Common and Riddlesdown.
From the late nineteenth century this forward thinking local authority for the
area of London known as the square mile started to acquire land in and around
London. The aim was to conserve open space and promote good health amongst
Londoners. They currently own some 10,000 acres of land which is entirely
managed from the interest on private funds, at no cost to the tax payer.
|
|
| 15 Coulsdon South Circular
| 14.2
| (8.8 miles)
|
| Toughness: 4
|
|
| 15a Via short cut
| 10.0
| (6.2 miles)
|
|
|
|
| 15b Riddlesdown to Coulsdon South
| 16.8
| (10.4 miles)
|
|
|
|
|
| 16
| Hurst Green to Chiddingstone Causeway
|
|
| This is a long but rewarding walk along the hills of northern Kent, much of
it passing through woodland, along the Greensand Way, a popular route with
walkers. In the afternoon you can enjoy views over the countryside to the south.
A walk particularly recommended in late April and early May when it offers a
whole series of bluebell woods and also in the autumn with the beautiful show of
colours as the leaves change. The walk also passes Chartwell, (former home of
Winston Churchill) and through the secluded upland village of Ide Hill.
|
|
| 16 Hurst Green to Chiddingstone Causeway
| 21.0
| (13.0 miles)
|
| Toughness: 6
|
|
| 16a Hurst Green to Oxted
| 9.0
| (5.6 miles)
|
|
|
|
|
| 17
| Snodland to Sole Street
|
|
| As soon as you leave Snodland, the walk becomes quiet, rural and peaceful
with a surprisingly 'away-from-it-all' feel. The majority of the walk is over
the North Downs, mostly through wooded areas and across open fields, and is
hilly at times but affords fine views.
Soon after lunch at Harvel, the views open out before you descend into
tranquil Luddesdown, with its historic church and the oldest continually
inhabited house in the country.
|
|
| 17 Snodland to Sole Street
| 13.1
| (8.1 miles)
|
| Toughness: 5
|
|
|
| 18
| Wadhurst Circular
|
|
| The prime attraction of this walk is the pleasure of walking through the unspoiled countryside
of the High Weald through a region classed as an area of outstanding natural beauty. In August and
September the hedgerows are rich with blackberries. The route at the outset follows the
Sussex Border Path, but soon diverts south to Tidebrook, and continues south to the pub in
Mayfield. It is worth spending some time in Mayfield as it has many attractive old buildings,
and the 15th century church is now a grade I listed building. The route after lunch heads
north east before continuing north to Wadhurst village for tea.
|
|
| 18 Wadhurst Circular
| 19.0
| (11.8 miles)
|
| Toughness: 4
|
|
| 18a Short walk
| 10.0
| (6.2 miles)
|
|
|
|
| 18b Wadhurst to Stonegate
| 16
| (10 miles)
|
|
|
|
|
| 19
| Stonegate Circular
|
|
| This walk is a good introduction to the Weald, a part of East Sussex which is less well known
by walkers than the Chilterns. But its relative quietness is one of its attractions. Passing over
gentle hills and into tranquil valleys, through classic English wood and pastureland,
its attractions include the unspoiled village of Burwash for lunch, and Bateman's, the one
time rural retreat of Rudyard Kipling. In summer, one stretch before lunch through
Upper Collingtons wood can become quite overgrown with nettles and brambles,
so wear long trousers and select a suitable stick on entering the wood. For those venturing
on the long walk section after lunch at Burwash Common, this could with some justification be
described as a wilderness walk.
|
|
| 19 Stonegate Circular
| 15.5
| (9.6 miles)
|
| Toughness: 3
|
|
| 19a Short walk
| 10.0
| (6.2 miles)
|
|
|
|
| 19b Long Walk
| 29.5
| (18.3 miles)
|
|
|
|
| 19b Long Walk to Wadhurst
| 32.5
| (20.3 miles)
|
|
|
|
|
| 20
| Robertsbridge Circular
|
|
| This High Weald walk passes through classic Weald countryside of rolling
hills, woods, hop fields and orchards. A highlight of this walk is arriving at
Bodiam Castle for tea, a perfect picture of a castle, nestling in the Rother
Valley, with the hooting of the steam trains of the Rother Valley Railway
nearby. From there the route continues on a gently undulating course to
Salehurst, before a leisurely finish back into Robertsbridge.
|
|
| 20 Robertsbridge Circular
| 18.5
| (11.5 miles)
|
| Toughness: 4
|
|
| 20a Short walk
| 14.0
| (8.7 miles)
|
|
|
|
| 20b Stonegate to Robertsbridge
| 27.0
| (16.8 miles)
|
|
|
|
| 20c Via ending along River Rother
| 18
| (11.2 miles)
|
|
|
|
|
| 21
| Pluckley Circular
|
|
| There's a remote, 'away-from-it-all' feeling to this gentle, peaceful,
quintessentially English walk in the heart of rural Kent. Passing small farms,
oast houses, timber-framed houses, lush pastures, orchards filled with apple
blossom and ancient oak trees, it's easy to see why the writer H E Bates - whose
house we pass in the idyllic hamlet of Little Chart Fostel - was inspired to
create the country-loving Pop Larkin and family in the classic 'The Darling
Buds Of May'.
In the morning there are views of the North Downs, After lunch in Pluckley -
watch out for ghosts, it's England's most haunted village! - the landscape opens
out into the sweeping Low Weald. This walk is at its most 'perfick', as Pop
Larkin would say, in the first two weeks in May, when the apple blossom is out.
However, in summer there's an abundance of wild flowers and gardens in full
bloom to enjoy, and in early autumn the orchards are heavy with fruit.
|
|
| 21 Pluckley Circular
| 11.0
| (6.8 miles)
|
| Toughness: 1
|
|
|
| 22
| Amberley to Arundel
|
|
| A very beautiful and not too strenuous Downs walk which starts with a slow
gradual climb amongst a luxuriance of wild flowers throughout the summer months.
After lunch it meanders along the River Arun into Arundel.
|
|
| 22 Amberley to Arundel
| 14.5
| (9.0 miles)
|
| Toughness: 5
|
|
|
| 23
| Hassocks to Upper Beeding
|
|
| It is a matter of opinion which is the finest view in South East England, but
the amazing panorama from Devil's Dyke on the South Downs escarpment must surely
be a strong contender. Such beauty comes at a price, however, and the area
immediately around the viewpoint can be exceedingly busy on a fine weekend.
However, the South Downs also afford numerous other less frequented viewpoints,
and this walk introduces you to several of them, including tranquil Wolstonbury
Hill and Edburton Hill.
The morning in particular is a delightful series of climbs and descents on
slopes covered by rare chalk grassland. Note, however, that this section is
quite strenuous with around 500 metres of ascent and 300 of descent before the
lunch pub. In the afternoon - which is much easier on the leg muscles, being
mainly flat or downhill - you follow the South Downs Way for a while across
Fulking Escarpment, before descending into the riverside village of Upper
Beeding for tea.
|
|
| 23 Hassocks to Upper Beeding
| 16.1
| (10.0 miles)
|
| Toughness: 8
|
|
| 23a Via valley ending
| 17.8
| (11.1 miles)
|
|
|
|
| 23bi Hassocks to Fishersgate
| ?
| (? miles)
|
|
|
|
| 23bii Hassocks to Shoreham
| ?
| (? miles)
|
|
|
|
|
| 24
| Lewes via Rodmell Circular
|
|
| This is a rewarding walk which follows the South Downs Way along ridges of
chalk grassland with panoramic views in all directions, keeping in sight Lewes
Castle almost throughout. The walk begins in the historic town of Lewes then
quickly rises to follow the ridge of the South Downs Way. After lunch back down
in the picturesque village of Rodmell, there is a choice of following the route
inland through the countryside via Northease Manor, or of following the banks of
the River Ouse back to Lewes.
|
|
| 24 Lewes via Rodmell Circular
| 15.4
| (9.6 miles)
|
| Toughness: 4
|
|
| 24a via Northease Manor
| 15.2
| (9.5 miles)
|
|
|
|
| 24b Shorter Walk from Lewes to Southease
| 12.5
| (7.8 miles)
|
|
|
|
| 24c Lewes to Seaford via South Downs
| 24.8
| (15.4 miles)
|
|
|
|
|
| 25
| Lewes via West Firle Circular
|
|
| Fine views over Lewes town and castle, the River Ouse, the
Sussex countryside and the Channel. After lunch the walk follows the ridge of
the South Downs with great views in all directions. The last stage re-enters
Lewes along the levee beside the river Ouse.
360 metres of ascent spread over three steepish hills. Mostly
easy navigation. Not well suited to December and January due to the limited
daylight.
|
|
| 25 Lewes via West Firle Circular
| 23.3
| (14.7 miles)
|
| Toughness: 7
|
|
| 25a Lewes to Glynde
| 5.0
| (3.3 miles)
|
|
|
|
| 25b Glynde to Southease
| 11.8
| (7.5 miles)
|
|
|
|
| 25c Southease to Lewes
| 6.5
| (4.0 miles)
|
|
|
|
|
| 26
| Southease to Seaford
|
|
| This walk offers a wealth of contrasting scenery, passing alongside a river, then rising to
the heights of the South Downs to command views both inland and out to the coast, before
descending to pass through pretty villages en route to the seaside. It begins at Southease
station then follows the banks of the River Ouse to Rodmell for an early lunch. Afterwards
the route retraces to Southease via an alternative way which passes its picturesque village centre,
then ascends to follow a ridge of the South Downs Way before heading south to the village of
Bishopstone and the coast. It finally follows the seaside esplanade to the sleepy seaside town of
Seaford with its variety of cafes, pubs and restaurants.
|
|
| 26 Southease to Seaford
| 18.0
| (11.3 miles)
|
| Toughness: 6
|
|
| 26a Short walk (not via Rodmell)
| 12.3
| (7.6 miles)
|
|
|
|
| 26b Southease to Bishopstone (shorter version)
| 16.3
| (10.2 miles)
|
|
|
|
| 26c Lewes to Seaford via River Ouse
| 20.8
| (13 miles)
|
|
|
|
|
| 27
| Berwick to Eastbourne
|
|
| This long but rewarding walk heads from inland Sussex to the coast taking in a variety of scenery
along the way. From Berwick the walk cuts across to the peaceful birdwatcher's paradise of Arlington
Reservoir before crossing farmland towards Wilmington with the huge chalk figure of the 'Long Man'
frequently in sight. From there the route continues to the historic smuggling village of Jevington
for lunch. Then afterwards it ascends the South Downs to follow ridges of chalk grassland with views
in all directions before heading towards the traditional seaside resort of Eastbourne and the
possibility of extending the walk to the dramatic heights of Beachy Head.
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|
| 27 Berwick to Eastbourne
| 18.5
| (11.6 miles)
|
| Toughness: 7
|
|
| 27a Berwick to Polegate via Folkington
| 10.3
| (6.4 miles)
|
|
|
|
| 27b Berwick to Polegate via Jevington
| 14.4
| (9.0 miles)
|
|
|
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| 27c Long Walk Via Beachy Head
| 24.4
| (15.3 miles)
|
|
|
|
|
| 28
| Seaford to Eastbourne
|
|
| This classic clifftop walk - one of the finest coastal walks in England -
affords stunning (and very famous) views of the white cliffs of the Seven
Susters, and the renowed Beachy Head, before ending in the elegant seafront town
of Eastbourne. En route, you can swim in the sea at Cuckmere Haven or Birling
Gap (provided that the tide is up: and watch out for underwater rocks at Birling
Gap). Note however that this is a very strenuous walk. Apart from the start,
finish and a short section around Cuckmere Haven, almost none of it is flat, and
there are several steep climbs. The very scenic section between Cuckmere Haven
and Birling Gap in particular is a series of steep ascents and descents, and it
is a long, though relatively gradual, climb up to Beachy Head.
|
|
| 28 Seaford to Eastbourne
| 21.0
| (13.1 miles)
|
| Toughness: 10
|
|
| 28a Seaford to Exceat
| 6.2
| (3.9 miles)
|
|
|
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| 28b Seaford to Birling Gap
| 12.2
| (7.8 miles)
|
|
|
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| 28c Exceat to Eastbourne
| 14.8
| (9.2 miles)
|
|
|
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| 28d Birling Gap to Eastbourne
| 11.2
| (7.0 miles)
|
|
|
|
|
| 29
| Hastings to Rye
|
|
| This rewarding walk starts with a fine clifftop coastal walk with steep
climbs along the way. This section is the most strenuous part of the walk. Lunch
is at Pett Level, after which the terrain levels out, before leading up through
the New Gate into Winchelsea for tea. After tea and just east of the town, you
reach The Look Out, offering panoramic views across the whole of Romney Marsh
and the Kent Downs beyond. From there it is down and along to Ferry Bridge,
following an easy flat route north east to Rye.
|
|
| 29 Hastings to Rye
| 19.0
| (11.8 miles)
|
| Toughness: 7
|
|
| 29a Shorter Hastings Circular
| 9.5
| (5.9 miles)
|
|
|
|
|
| 30
| Dover to Deal
|
|
| This simple walk (it should be impossible to get lost if you keep the sea on
your right hand side) is nevertheless one of the finest coastal walks in
England, taking you right along the top of the famous White Cliffs of Dover. On
a clear day, you get stunning views of the English Channel, and the ferries
buzzing in and out of Dover Harbour, and the French coast from Boulogne to
Dunkerque. On hazier days, the dramatic (though dangerously crumbling) cliffs
afford exciting views of the inaccessible beaches below.
Surprisingly for a walk that seems to spend much of its time on the airy
heights, not much exertion is involved. There are only two significant climbs,
one out of Dover and the other out of St Margaret's Bay. Otherwise the terrain
is level or gently undulating. The last quarter of the walk, indeed, is totally
flat, along a tranquil coastpath behind the pebble beach of Deal. Though less
dramatic than the White Cliffs this section of the walk is full of historical
and natural interest, passing Walmer and Deal castles and examples of rare
coastal flora.
|
|
| 30 Dover to Deal
| 16.0
| (9.9 miles)
|
| Toughness: 3
|
|
| 30a Dover to St Margarets Bay
| 7.0
| (4.4 miles)
|
|
|
|
| 30b Dover to St Margarets at Cliffe
| 10.5
| (6.6 miles)
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