The alternative route mentioned by Marcus is something I came up with recently, having remembered previous grumblings about overgrown paths at the start of this walk. There are no written directions so only take this option if you're happy to follow the route on your phone app.

After a short climb up the road the route goes through a recreation ground, cuts through a small wood (with a maze of narrow paths to negotiate) and joins a diverted public footpath descending through a rather scruffy area being cleared for new housing. A new foot tunnel under the A26 takes you into Horsted Green Park, which you exit onto a lane almost opposite the 'signed footpath' at the start of para 16 in the directions. It's 1½ km shorter than the main route.

If you take this route please give some feedback in order to help the walk author decide whether it should be added to the written directions, either as an alternative route or a replacement.

Another alternative, would be to do this as a circular walk from Lewes using the two afternoon sections of the walk route. eg reversing the route from Barcombe to Lewes along the Sussex Ouse Valley Way in the morning and after lunch picking up the main route from Barcombe to Lewes via Ringer. That would give a walk of ~ 11.2 miles (18km), of which 4.9 miles ( 7.8km) in the morning and 6.4 miles (10.2km) in the afternoon.

You'd need to use a map or GPS as the written instructions don't reverse the route from Barcombe.

Thanks Daisy Roots, your suggestion is indeed a possible alternative, but for clarity, today's walk starts in Uckfield - and ends in Lewes.

We can always post your suggested alternative walk on another occasion.

As tomorrow is forecast to be very hot, you may like to take advantage of a swimming opportunity in the River Ouse, anywhere between Isfield and Barcombe Mills, either before lunch or after lunch. Just watch out for the many rowing boats on hire from the Anchor Inn.

This comment has been removed by the author.

Just 2 on this walk on a very hot day, including the walk's author. Neither had gpx on their phone so were unable to try out Sean's alternative start. The normal route was not overgrown, however, not even the notorious green lane at para 15 , which provided a welcome shady short cut and some relief from the heat. We separated just before lunch when one took a cooling dip in the River Ouse while the other continued ahead. After replenishing water supplies in Ringmer, the late afternoon climb over the downs was uniquely enjoyed in perfect solitude, with not a soul to be seen until the descent down Chapel Hill to savour a refreshing pint of Harvey's in the 'Rights of Man'.

Last time we did this walk, there was a stretch on the morning section which was thick with shoulder high overgrowth and deep mud underfoot. There was discussion about re-writing the morning section to start from Lewes, forming a new Lewes Circular but I don't think that's been done yet. It's possible the morning path has improved but you might want to avoid shorts and short sleeves just in case. Alternatively, you could take a map and make your own way from Lewes to meet the group at the lunchtime pub. Talking of which, the pub's idyllic spot on the river means it's very popular in summer and last time they were unable to serve us so it would be worth packing a snack just in case.

This comment has been removed by the author.

The potentially overgrown path starts in para 13: "Just after the lane bends left ... turn right on a grass track

and in 30m ... bear left on to a narrow path.

If this path appears difficult to negotiate, return to the lane to continue for 400m before turning right on a footpath to pass Lower Barn Farm, and then right again for 250m to meet the end of the overgrown path at a left-hand bend, continuing at the second sentence of para 14.

This diversion is now shown as the main route on the walk map, but the text has not yet been updated.

10 started at the station. One dropped out after lunch having been badly scratched by brambles.

A quite delightful walk apart from the first hour, which, let alone being overgrown, was dull and uninspiring with nothing to recommend it.

Lunch at the Anchor was delicious, and although busy was manageable in terms of waiting time.

Some of us missed having a proper tea because the cafe in Ringmer closes at 4, and we thought it would be the same in Lewes, so we took some sustenance in another Anchor pub nearby.

Suggestions :

The group I was with felt that this walk could be greatly improved by modifying it into another Lewes Circular. Forget the Uckfield section entirely. Walk west from Lewes on what is outlined here as the alternative route, then after lunch quickly double back along the water meadows ( which would only be 20 minutes or so retracing ones steps ) before heading for Glyndebourne and the Downs, ending the hike on a high.

Oh, and also I reckon it could have commenced an hour earlier.

10

Planning to do this with a map as a Lewes circular.

The first third of this walk really was severely overgrown in parts last summer, and I'm not convinced it will be significantly easier now. Before the full walk is done again, could it be re-checked by the walk's author (oh, that's me!) to verify that the obstructed sections are now passable?

In the meantime, it can be done, as someone has suggested, as a Lewes circular by going out along the river and back across the downs, or vice versa.

I will check the first part of the walk again on Monday, but I can't honestly recommend it until that's been done, unless you're up for a potential tussle with rampant undergrowth.

Thanks for the updates. Will try the Lewes via West Firle Circular walk instead.

On second thoughts, will try the Uckfield walk tomorrow. Hopefully not too overgrown at this time of year.

6 dry with passing clouds initially then sunny

6 off a slightly delayed train, embarking on a not so interesting route out of Uckfield (there are no good ones in that direction), then some paths along fields (which were not overgrown today, but one or two will be late in summer). An astounding bluebell wood, and then the stretch that brought tears to walkers last time around: an 800m track prone to being overgrown and/or very muddy. An alternative route was explored and the routing will be amended accordingly.

After that it was meandering through the Uck and Ouse valleys, mostly close to the rivers, all the way to lunch, including one drive-by of the Lavender Line, a Heritage Diesel train with its 1.5 km of track.

The Anchor Inn seems to have had a change of Mgmt, and - at least today - impressed with fast service, nicely done-up interior, and very plesant food. Lots of guests but not bursting full...

The three sandwichers had joined us for a drink, and on we went together, further along the Ouse and then through Ringmer, where we stopped for tea, then up to the Downs by Glyndebourne Wind Turbine. The sun broke through just then and blue skies stayed with us all the way to Lewes, for this very lovely stretch of the South Downs (Bible Bottom). A walk that just got better as we went along.

One last drink at the pub nearest the station for three of us. 17.16 train.

This looks a good bet with useful CJ train and easy level option for those of us with dodgy knees. Intend going if forecast good.

Thanks to engineering works I have no trains between Barnes and Clapham junction all over the whole bank holiday weekend inc Monday so no chance of connecting with any walks on BH Monday. Any chance of anyone posting a walk involving a stop at Ealing Broadway?

Buses replace trains between Clapham Junction and Barnes from Saturday 27 to Monday 29 August

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service_disruptions/139833.aspx

Hi. Will there be a Wednesday walk next week? Cheers.

Yes.Weds walk this week, pls. Unable to walk today.

10 walkers on a warm and mainly sunny day. The morning section from Uckfield to Isfield was a miserable experience due to several paths being horrendously overgrown with bracken, nettles, brambles and worse. Some shorts wearers finished the morning severely scratched and stung. Footpath maintenance hereabouts seems non-existent, so until that is remedied, walkers are advised not to attempt this section of the route.

Owing to these serious delays the very busy Anchor pub was reached at 2:00pm, only to find that the wait for food would be at least an hour. The four would-be lunchers decided to press on with the others, and eventually picked up some sandwiches in Ringmer some time after 4:00. Two swam in the River Ouse near Barcombe Mills and caught the others up for a final rest and refreshment stop by the Glyndebourne wind turbine, before all descended from the downs into Lewes at 6:30pm.

At present this walk would best be done as a Lewes Circular, heading out to the lunch pub along the river route and returning over the downs.

10 warm and mainly sunny

Just to add to Chris' note, despite the bad experience in the morning, I thought the afternoon section of this walk was fabulous and very enjoyable.