Walk 24 : Lewes via Rodmell Circular

Option 1 Lewes round walk via Rodmell, returning inland via Northease Manor

15.4km (9.6 miles), 4 hours 50 minutes.

Option 2 Lewes round walk via Rodmell, returning by the River Ouse

15.2km (9.5 miles), 4 hours 45 minutes.

For either option, for the whole outing, including trains, sights and meals allow at least 9 hours.

OS Landranger Map No. 198, OS Explorer Map No.122. Lewes, map reference TQ416098 is in East Sussex.

4 out of 10.

This rewarding walk follows the South Downs Way along ridges of chalk grassland with panoramic views in all directions, keeping in sight of Lewes Castle almost throughout. The walk starts 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 either following a lower route inland through the countryside via Northease Manor, or of following the banks of the River Ouse back to Lewes.

Shortening the Walk

From Rodmell continue to the River Ouse as in Option 2. Then instead of turning left to return to Lewes, turn right to go to Southease Station. From here you can take the train back to Lewes. Detailed directions are given at the end of the main text.

Lewes to Seaford via Rodmell

For the ultimate, invigorating long walk (15 miles), from Rodmell continue to the River Ouse, then instead of turning left, turn right following the directions at the end of the text (for Walk Options by going to Southease Station). Then refer to the separate walk Southease to Seaford which starts at Southease station.

Both these options use the fine downland start of the main walk, which climbs from Lewes to the South Downs ridge, with magnificent views across the plains of the river Ouse.

Lewes to Brighton via Rottingdean

This is an almost a new walk. Rather than heading south along the Downs ridge towards Rodmell, it crosses the remoter, less frequented heart of the downs to Rottingdean, a village on the outskirts of Brighton. The sea is in view throughout this part of the walk, and in winter the afternoon sun declines directly ahead of you.

You can finish the walk at Rottingdean, taking very regular buses into Brighton. Alternatively, you can walk the attractive esplanade along the base of the cliffs into Brighton. Though not a country walk by any stretch of the imagination, for at least the first two and a half kilometres this route is a lot wilder than you might expect, and on a sunny evening it is positively entrancing. Eventially, however, it lands you in the garish confusion around of Brighton Pier, from where the walk offers a route to the station that takes in the Brighton Pavillion and the North Lanes: because of the bus services, you can do as much or as little of this route as you like

Lewes to Saltdean via Telescombe

This option continue with the original route by heading south along the downs ridge to Rodmell. However, instead of descending from the ridge to Rodmell, it continues over the downs and through the small village of Telscombe to descend to Saltdean and the coast. Either take the frequent bus to Brighton, or use the 'Undercliffe' path, eventually joining the seafront route of the first option.

Lewes Castle (tel 01273 486 290) and the Barbican House Museum nearby are open to visitors until 5.30pm daily (last entrance 5pm). The castle, which is visible for much of this walk, was built around 1070 by William de Warenne who fought alongside William the Conqueror at the Battle of Hastings. In the 1264 Battle of Lewes the rebel Earl of Leicester, Simon de Montfort, with an army of Londoners and 5,000 barons, defeated Henry III leading to England's first parliamentary meeting at Westminster in 1265.

Lewes Priory Only the ruins of the priory remain as the church, which was as large as Westminster cathedral, was demolished during Henry VIII's dissolution of monasteries. The Priory of St. Pancras was also founded by William de Warenne.

Anne of Cleves House, Lewes (tel 01273 474610) is a 16th century timber framed Wealden house given by Henry VIII to Anne of Cleves as part of their divorce settlement, but she never lived there. The house now contains the museum of Lewes charting the town's history from the 16th Century to the present day. It is open to visitors from 10am to 5pm,Tuesday to Saturday and 11am to 5pm on Monday and Sunday. Admission is £2.80.

Southover Grange House and Gardens, Lewes An Elizabethan house built in 1572 by William Newton, using Caen stones from the ruins of Southover Priory. John Evelyn the diarist lived here while attending grammar school.

Monk's House, Rodmell (tel 01892 890651)was the home of Virginia and Leonard Woolf who lived here from 1919 until Virginia's suicide in March 1941 (when she filled her pockets with stones and drowned herself in the river). Her ashes are buried in the garden. Leonard remained here until his death in 1969. Visitors to the house during the years they spent here included Vita Sackville-West, Lytton Strachey, E. M. Forster, Maynard Keynes, T. S. Eliot and Roger Fry. The house is open to visitors on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons, April to the end of October 2pm to 5.30pm. Admission is £2.60.

Take the nearest train after 9am from London, Victoria Station to Lewes. Journey time 1 hour 5 mins. Trains back from Lewes run twice an hour.

Park centrally anywhere in Lewes. There is a car park at the train station.

The suggested lunchtime pub is the Abergavenny Arms (tel 01273 472416), Newhaven Road, Rodmell which serves food from midday to 2pm Monday to Saturday and midday to 3.30pm on Sunday. It also offers cream teas during the summer months of July and August on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 2.30pm to 5.30pm. This is a large friendly pub with a log fire and a wide menu advertising 'traditional english wholesome home made food'.

Picnic Virtually anywhere on the South Downs would be a good place for a picnic, or along the banks of the Ouse.

The suggested tea stop is the Garden Room Cafe (tel 01273 478636) at 14 Station Street, situated close to the station and open until 5.30pm Monday to Saturday.There are a number of alternatives in Lewes including the White Hart Hotel (tel 01273 476694) at 55 High Street.