Chalk cliffs, Sussex Downland, River and Forest
14 people attending
6 places left
Combining a coastal walk with views of the Seven Sisters with a wander through beech woodland, an afternoon stop in the Litlington tea gardens or Plough & Harrow pub, and a stroll along the banks of the River Cuckmere.
Our walk initially takes us along Seaford promenade until we start our climb up to Seaford Head. At its highest point we will have great views of the Sussex coastline, including the Seven Sisters chalk cliffs to our east. We then descend to the Cuckmere River estuary where we walk along the river towards Exceat and then through the village of Westdean and on through the beech trees of Friston Forest. We will walk through the hills and valleys of the forest, before stopping for a picnic lunch, and then reaching the National Nature Reserve at Lullington Heath.
We then descend again towards the pretty village of Litlington, where we will stop for afternoon tea in the open air tea gardens, weather permitting, or a pint in the Plough & Harrow. The final part of the walk is along the banks of the River Cuckmere, and then back to the town of Seaford.
What to bring
Water: bring at least two litres
Medicines: if you have hay fever, diabetes, minor ailments etc.
Day rucksack: typically 20-30 litres, they are comfortable to wear and allow you to use your arms freely
Boots: waterproof and breathable and designed for hiking, trainers are OK if the ground is dry and there’s little chance of rain
Socks: proper walking socks will keep your feet dry and help prevent blisters
Layered clothing: lets you quickly adapt to changes in the weather and body temperature. Go for a base layer (vest or t-shirt) and a mid layer (a micro fleece or shirt) and in cooler weather add an outer layer (a windproof jacket or thick fleece)
Trousers or shorts: ideally no jeans as they become heavy and cold in the rain, breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry and on warm days shorts are OK
Waterproof jacket: essential when hiking in all but the calmest of weather, breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry
Hat or cap: stay warm in winter and shaded in summer
Sunglasses: for any sunny day
Sun cream: can be useful even on cloudy summer days
Snacks: bring biscuits, energy bars, gels, bananas, chocolate or dried fruit for example and put them somewhere easy to get hold of
Lunch: bring a packed lunch
Food & drink
Please bring a packed lunch and plenty of water. We will stop for afternoon tea, where cakes and sandwiches are available, but this will not be before 3pm. There are plenty of shops in Seaford if you wish to arrive early to purchase your lunch.