Berwick via Upper Dicker Circular Walk

Tranquil, quiet and gently undulating countryside with fine views of the downs and weald

Circular East Sussex Easy

History

Club walks since April 2015, and a summary which goes back to Jan 2010.

Club Walks Summary

Date	Option	Post	#	Weather
Wed, 08-Oct-25		South downs without the grind – Berwick circular via Upper Dicker FIRST POSTING	21	mild

Wed, 08-Oct-25

South downs without the grind – Berwick circular via Upper Dicker FIRST POSTING 21

Sandy

17.3 km (10.8 miles) 1/10

This walk has been on the website for a few years but has never been posted! Its original version of less than 8 miles possibly didn't seem worth the journey, but an occasionally local club walker has beefed it up into a more satisfactory day out. It starts and finishes at Berwick station and goes through tranquil, quiet and gently undulating countryside. There is a surprisingly good choice of refreshment stops.

Train: 0954 from Victoria (Clapham Junction 1001 East Croydon 1010) changing at Lewes on to the 1114 arriving at Berwick 1125. Returns at 09 and 25, changing at Lewes again.

Lunch: The Old Oak Inn, Caneheath, Arlington, East Sussex, BN26 6SJ, is passed both after 4 kms and (more conveniently) after 7.4 kms. “An award-winning free house and restaurant (Argus Pub of the Year 2024 and 2023). Large South facing sheltered garden and sundeck.” Open 12 to 10, Tel: (01323) 482072.

The Blue Door Cafe at Michelham Priory (open 10 to 4) looks good.

The village shop at Upper Dicker would be a good place to buy provisions and there are picnic tables nearby.

The Plough, Coldharbour Road, Upper Dicker, BN27 3QJ, is the other lunch option (10.2 kns). Described as a beautiful 17th century gastro pub in the East Sussex countryside, with country-style restaurant, bistro bar, sun terraces and extensive gardens. Food served from midday till at least 8pm every day. Tel: (01323) 844859.

Tea: Arlington Reservoir Kiosk is a short detour from the walk and is reported to be good for a hot drink and a cake. The Berwick Inn is directly opposite the station at the end of the walk.

Shortening the walk: The walk includes a circuit through Abbots Wood (3.4 km) which you could cut out, but that's quite early in the walk. There is a short cut indicated in the final paragraph of the walk directions which I'd guess cuts out about 1.2 km.

L=swc.200

Sandy
Thu 09-Oct
A bumper turnout of21 and a small dog - the best for a 2025 Wednesday - on a mild day. It was indeed a very pleasant gentle walk in sometimes new surroundings, perhaps the proportion of field crossings a bit high to make it a regular outing. The loop through Abbott's Wood, an addition to the previous short walk, was a highlight and it would be a shame to miss this out. The pub and coffee (there's a farm shop with a cafe at Bate's Green as well as those mentioned) possibilities area also a real plus. A small majority of the group had at least a drink in the Old Oak Inn; two or three ate. It's quite small but the two ladies on duty coped admirably with a surprise influx of about 14 walkers.
It's difficult to keep track of what happened to such a large group, but I think most or all who didn't stop at the Old Oak poked their noses into Michelham Priory and I know of only one who visited the Plough. Of the pub group, three speedy walkers shot ahead to catch the 1609 train, the rest of us regrouped in the Berwick Inn before the 1709 and a less-sociable-than-hoped journey back to London as the train from Lewes had only 4 carriages and was jam-packed. Still, a good day and great to see everyone