The Trevor Arms in Glynde closed in January 2017. The Ram in Firle is the first (and only) available lunchtime pub.

as per the walk post...

Indeed. I was referring to the walk directions, which refer to the Trevor Arms and need updating!

not my walk though...

Hi I'm an accredited walk leader with south bank group. Just checking in about this. Due to it getting dark around 5pm is this going to be a full 14.7 miles, for those who can endure it?

It is giving a lot of options but what is the leader doing on this day? 10 miles would be enough for me but would want someone else to be doing same.

can you let me know thanks.

Hi Julie,

as a Ramblers leader you will be aware that the SWC follows a different concept: we don't have leaders, or - more precisely - every walker is their own leader. That is why our walk directions and routes are freely downloadable. In practice this means that usually several of the possible options of a walk route will get walked by one or other of the group. Personally, I will usually walk the full walk.

This will take 5 3/4 hours as per Naismith's Formula, so with an 11 o'clock start there is just enough time for this and a very short lunch stop (darkness on the day will be around 16.50 hours). As the last 2 km are along the seafront promenade, this should not be a problem. With a full one hour pub lunch of course, also parts of the descent to the coast will be in the gloom.

As an aside, most walkers turning up for 20+ km walks in November are walking faster than what Naismith's assumes, so there shouldn't be a problem. And there are shortcuts possible for walkers with appetite for a more gentle pace. But, as we always say: in autumn and winter, please bring a headtorch on any walk...

Plenty of hard rain had fallen early morning in London, but when we alighted in Lewes, the weather was 'on forecast': namely blue skies with a fierce breeze on the tops.

6 off the train plus 1 driver down from Tunnie Wells set off in 5 + 2 fashion. We loosely followed the route around the rim of the most beautiful valley in the southeast (on account of the 'leader' neither watching map or text), where we encountered an 8th walker, down from 7oaks but up from Glynde where he had parked his car. We then had a sumptious lunch at The Ram, outside and initially in the sun. When a tree put us in the shade, it finally felt like autumn.

On up the Downs, with the Tunnie Wells guy having already opted for the short route. Views were as clear and far reaching as they will ever get from the heights around here, and the out-and-back to Firle Beacon was very well worth the effort. Turning back easterly, into the biting wind, now it really was a case of zipping up and moving on quickly. 7oaks man was heading down to the right off the ridge to reunite with his car, which left 6 of us ambling down to the left to Bishopstone and then Seaford.

There was still a little bit of light in the sky once we reached the seafront promenade, helped by the near full moon, and a slither of reddish sky out far west. 1 walker made out she could spot various named stars and planets, like she was a stargazer, but who'd believe her? Drinks at The Shore near the station. 18.25 train. A rather glorious day.

8 sunny with a cold breeze on the tops

As the others roistered in the fleshpots of Firle, I climbed up to the ridge of the Downs - and had them to myself. In the clearest air I have ever seen in South England, the views were spectacular and far-reaching. (From the top of Malling Down, outside Lewes, we could see Crowborough, 14 miles away.) A long windswept traverse and down to Norton, where a nice lady provided water (that'll teach me to pack salt beef sandwiches) and on to Bishopstone and an early train. A great day out. Thanks for posting it, Thomas.

Are we sure the 0917/ CJ 0923 train is running? It's not coming up on my journey planner. Although I may go for the Balcombe walk anyway.

Comes up on my journey planner, yes. Failing that, next best is a 09.20 via Brighton...

13 walkers off the train, 2 more already in Lewes (there for the weekend), 1 more arriving from Brighton a few minutes later, and 1 other met at lunch, who had taken the late train and start from Glynde, i.e. 17 in total in sunny and warm for the time of year weather.

Fantastic day for a walk across two ridges into the sun and down to the sea, light on the mud-count due to the mostly chalky ground and with very fine views throughout, and only a very light breeze to contend with. The Ram Inn was fully booked inside but had ample space outside in the sun. Meals were of good quality, as was the beer.

Several people expressed that they'd preferred the walk author to copy and paste together the instructions from the various walks this is a combination of, as compared to the skeleton directions currently available. Such as it is, it is practically a map-led walk.

I especially liked the rim-top variant of the out-of-Lewes bit, providing for different views compared to the down-through-the-valley route and also making the approach to Mount Caburn hillfort more dramatic. But also the descent to and through Bishopstone was new to me and much liked.

The fast 7 narrowly missed a train, so took the time to have tea and cakes at Salts Cafe, and then linked up with the slighly slower next sub-group for the 16.25 train, but some of us got inexplicably 'lost' en route to the station and missed that train.

A walk well-liked by all that were there (incl. 2 first-timers).

Thank you Thomas for organising a most enjoyable walk with lovely views and very little mud.

One starter from Glynde and also myself got a later train.

Kevin

It was a great walk and a beautiful sunny day, warm enough to eat lunch outside in the sun! I have found the South Downs too blowy on other occasions, but it was really perfect on Saturday.

I started at Glynde. I would suggest to other walkers to have an earlier start on this short-cut route if they want to hook up with walkers on the full walk. Great pub, definitely worth booking in advance and arriving before the lunch rush.

Thank you Thomas for finding me in the Ram to explain the afternoon directions, it was very much appreciated. Also to the walker whose GPS helped navigate the final part.

Lucy

Very much enjoyed this walk. Lovely views. Kudos to the walk writer!

This is in fact SWC walk 47, clockwise direction: complete directions for whole walk in one document, plus details of all lunch and tea options, can be found on pages 1-4 of this pdf

http://www.walkingclub.org.uk/book_3/walk_47/SWC_Walk_47_Lewes_Circular_via_Glynde_and_Southease.pdf

It is the CHRISTMAS PARTY on Thursday - don't forget!! See listing below

Am aiming to get the early train and do Lewes to Seaford walk.

Just 3 on the short walk with the weather windy some driving rain but very mild . After the climb out of Lewes we took the long ridge route rather than the valley and hill path as I know from experience the later can be very muddy from cattle churn near a field gate. Our reward was some driving wind and rain and we were glad to reach the Trevor Arms, which impresses me more each time I visit, for an excellent nut and a traditional roast which was served very quickly by friendly and chatty staff.

The weather looked to be closing in again so we did not linger in the pub but set off for Southease which we reached around 2.30pm to enjoy tea, coffee and delicious cakes at the Courtyard cafe. (Just £3 each so terrific value.) We dried out and caught the 15.09 train from Southease.

Winter walks on the South Downs are a bit of an "acquired taste" but I love the bleakness of the area in winter so I found it an exhilirating day. Other plus points were no mud, no stiles and my boots were far cleaner at the end of the walk than at the outset! Result.