Rolling in Leaves
Continuing the theme of doing the in-between bits I haven't managed to walk previously, I present a slightly more moderate route that proved to be full of delightful hill, majestic beech woods and a river lined with dragonflies. I was keen to explore this section between the Cuckmere and Eastbourne because it seems to me to be hilly and interesting with seaward views.
I don't like to repeat myself too soon and so I started out from Hampden Park Station. This allowed me to walk to Jevington on a different path. The sea was the same twinkling hazy blue as the last glorious blue-sky walk. I wasn't sure where I'd get to but Berwick announced itself as a convenient exit and I came home blisterless on this occasion.
From the station, cross the tracks and head west on Brassey Avenue. Take Rosebery Avenue to join Hampden Park Drive. The park itself is quite leafy. You can make any route through but I circled the pond and left the it on Decoy Drive to cross Kings Drive and enter Park Lane next to the school. Students loped reluctantly about enroute and in the playground. This is an area known as Ratton. A little left along Willingdon Road is the footpath signposting the Hills. What follows is a steady climb to the trig point from a route fenced from the golf course. The cotoneaster growing near the top might have been invasive but they were abuzz with honey and bumblebees. You can look back with satisfaction to see the coast.
No sooner are you up then you're heading down on the South Downs Way towards Jevington. Near the end of this section, I ducked northward to enter Jevington on Willingdon Lane. It was too early for breakfast at the pub and so I crossed and entered the path opposite To St Andrews Church. If water is your thing, you can fill up here. Stay on the South Downs Way until after the bench, where you can continue westward onto Lullington Heath. A sprinkling of orchids, chalk blue and sulphur-coloured butterflies indicated the way. Entering the nature reserve on the bridleway and you can observe the tree-lined slopes as the trail curves south into Friston Forest. I exchanged further weather-related pleasantries with a horserider I let pass, as they trotted into the trees. Sadness at the dead ash but on the flipside, standing dead wood is apparently lacking and supports the biodiversity, an uncomfortable plus.
You can take numerous routes within the forest. It is popular with mountain bikers who have carved a number through the trees and tested their bravery in the hollows. I have enjoyed the fungus amongst the beech, which is abundant in the Autumn. It might be difficult to visualise the hills here but I aimed to top Snap Hill and descended. towards West Dean. This improbable hamlet is enveloped by the trees in a quaint flintyness of olden times. The church, forge, farm shop and pond proudly on display. A quick circuit and then north on the Vanguard Way and back on the South Downs Way, once again. After you leave the trees at Charleston Manor, there is a small rise at Clapham Barn. This allows you a closer look at the Litlington Horse, cut into Hindover Hill on the opposite bank of the Cuckmere.
Litlington offers you the Tea Gardens (bring cash), The Plough and Harrow and further on the Cadence Clubhouse opposite the Long Man Brewery. I dithered but then opted for the pub just because the smell of chips wafted close to the path and I realised I needed lunch before Alfriston.
Just near the pub, The South Downs Way will take you to the bank of the Cuckmere. Cross at the bridge and take the immediate western bank footpath, signposted Frog Firle and Burnt House Brooks and take last look at the horse. You'll soon see pass the Old Clergy House at Alfriston, just before the sizeable church. I crossed the green and took a closer look and this small but significant National Trust property, with its long history.
Having enjoyed some time here, it is easy to rejoin the Vanguard Way and The Cuckmere Pilgrim Path to go north from the on West Street, after the market cross. Crossing Winton Street, stay on the Vanguard Way until you reach the church at Berwick. Passing Church Fram, you hit The Village and the very inviting Cricketers Arms. A lazy afternoon, would have seen a drink here but I pushed on to the station by crossing Lewes Road and continuing on the Vanguard Way. You could take the relatively quiet Pound Lane, directly north. Alternatively, continue and cross Common Lane, turn right at the top of the drive at Stonery Farm and you'll be at Berwick Station. The train is once an hour westward but a quicker connection can sometimes be made if going east to Polegate first. If you have time, you could stop at the Berwick Inn.
Comments
Post a Comment