Alfriston - Seven Sisters - Exceat - Alfriston

Tony Brotherton

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Alfriston - Seven Sisters - Exceat - Westdean - Litlington - Alfriston

From the beautiful, much-visited village of Alfriston, the walk climbs onto the Sussex Downs with stunning panoramic views, descends to sea-level at Cuckmere Haven and the dramatic cliffs of the Seven Sisters, then follows the river from its estuary, diverting through a country park and Friston Forest to rejoin the river in a gentle return to Alfriston.

Here the Old Clergy House, half-timbered, wattle-and-daub, pre-Reformation vicarage, rescued from near-dereliction by the newly-formed National Trust in 1896 and judiciously restored, is open every day except Tuesday and Friday from 10am to 5pm; telephone 01323-870001 or visit website www.nationaltrust.org.uk

England - South England - East Sussex - South Downs

Features

Ancient Monument, Birds, Butterflies, Cafe, Church, Flowers, Food Shop, Gift Shop, Good for Kids, Great Views, Hills or Fells, National Trust, Play Area, Pub, Public Transport, Restaurant, River, Sea, Tea Shop, Toilets, Wildlife, Woodland

9/9/2020 - bob higgins

Sep 20 Great walk In part 3 Rathfinney Vinyard have erected a fence so keep the massive fence on your left and the entry to forest is easy. The vinyard is all open access Part 5 is dull but the end and coffee at South Hill Barn is worth it Part 8 Pub is now Cuckmere Arms and it was very busy! Cafe at Country Park much quieter as was Plough and Harrow at 13 At 14 Litlington Tea Rooms seemed to be a Covid victim Closed

7/27/2011 - Judy Brua

Very nice walk, some of the directions seemed a bit vague until you were there, but on site they were mostly pretty obvious. A few comments: Waymark 1 - the footpath I think passes to the right of the coach park. A bit later, it is easy to miss the path to the right after the river bends left. Waymark 10 - To find the main route, head into the car park but almost immediately on the left (before where any cars park) you will find the sign posted route to West Dean - nice and level. As another commentator said, the SDW route is from the main road just to the east of the Country Park. But we did enjoy the walk, thank you Tony

4/10/2011 - Bryan Hards

The majestic South Downs, sea cliffs, a beach, a river estuary, a forest (and the white horse) all in one glorious walk! At WP10 I couldn't find the path signed to Westdean, but took the South Downs Way from where it crosses the road just east of the car park. From the slope just before Litlington look out for three church spires in a line: Litlington just below, Alfriston (1 km) and Berwick (3 km).

5/17/2007 - Walkingworld Administrator

Thanks to Steve Harris for updates and addditional clarifications on this walk. May 2007.

4/30/2007 - Ian Fairnie

The White Horse - on the OS extract that goes with this walk, if you look to the West (left) of point 13, in between Westdean and Lillington, you will see 'White Horse'. I've done a bit of research and it is 'Lillington Horse'. It's very obvious (well, it was to me that's why I'm surprised it wasn't mentioned) and a 'typical' chalk horse carved in a hillside. It's always possible that the grass has been allowed to grow over it in the last two years but I very much doubt it.

4/15/2007 - Stephen Harris

Ian Fairnie, WHAT White Horse? do you mean the one in the field by the river or something else? We didn't spot any thing other than an actual white horse!

6/5/2005 - Ian Fairnie

A very good walk with lots of variety. Some of the directions are a bit vague. Amazed that there was no mention of the White Horse. Walk done 2/6/05