Lewes - Breaky Bottom - Undercliff Walk - Brighton Marina

Ian Runcie

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See the very different attractions of Lewes and Brighton by walking between the two, over fields from Lewes and up onto the South Downs, down to the South Coast and along the Undercliff Walk to Brighton Marina. There is the opportunity to visit one of the best English wineries. The walk may be best attempted in dry weather to avoid too much mud near the start. There are a few stiles that may give larger dogs some trouble. There is easy return (or initial approach) by public transport. A possible return route on foot is outlined below.

Visit Lewes Castle, Priory and the High Street which contains the original Bill's food shop and restaurant. There are plenty of other eating places and excellent pubs, see Walk 755.

Walk alongside the flood-plain of the River Ouse to the village of Iford, then up the downs to Breaky Bottom Winery and beyond. If a pub visit becomes necessary near Iford, you could carry on to The Abergavenny Arms in the charming village of Rodmell, from where a walk up the hill on the other side of the road and a right turn onto the South Downs Way at Mill Hill will soon get you back en route at the lane towards Breaky Bottom, where you should turn left.

After Breaky Bottom, walk along Telscombe Tye ridge with fine views and then down to the A259 for a three-mile walk along the Undercliff Walk to Brighton Marina and a chance to sample the Brighton nightlife, should you be so inclined.

See additional information about Undercliff Walk. It's great fun and safe on a blustery day but, if the weather is really stormy, a bus along the A259 is probably the better bet.

Walking purists with map-reading skills could fashion a rather utilitarian route back; much of this has been travelled by the author but not all in one go. Find the track to the west and rear of Roedean School. Turn left towards Ovingdean Church, then up and over Mount Pleasant, through Woodingdean to the B2123 and just outside, bear right to Newmarket Hill (not sharp right to Bullock Hill). From there it's on to Kingston near Lewes and hence to Lewes. The map associated with Walk 3328 may be helpful.

England - South England - East Sussex - South Downs

Features

Ancient Monument, Birds, Butterflies, Cafe, Castle, Church, Flowers, Food Shop, Gift Shop, Good for Kids, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Museum, Pub, Public Transport, Restaurant, Sea, Tea Shop, Toilets, Wildlife

5/4/2014 - Patricia Daw

4/5/14 We completed this yesterday. We found the car park easily enough and from there we found the lovely town of Lewes complete with Saturday Farmers' market - worth a wander round first. The car park is free at weekends. However the directions on this walk are not as comprehensive as on other WW walks. The first direction should clearly state that to find the right path to be on, you turn right out of the car park then take the next right, which, in a short while, will bring you to the tunnel in the photos. Other WMs could be better written and perhaps the walk needs revisiting by the author? We did complete the walk but we did have to closely study our OS map several times. However, having said all that we thoroughly enjoyed the walk and felt deserving of our fish 'n' chips at the end!