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Route Alfriston - Seven Sisters - Exceat - Westdean - Litlington - Alfriston County East Sussex Difficulty Moderate Distance 16km (10 miles) Typical time Four and half hours OS grid reference TQ515035, Explorer 123 Starting point Alfriston car park, or South Hill Barn free public car park

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Blister rating: 3/5 View rating: 3/5

Why I love this walk

This is one of the last great gaps of open country on the southeast coast. It provides the best of rural Sussex in one go: the exemplary village of Alfriston with its “cathedral of the Downs”, St. Andrew’s Church; the nearby woodlands of Friston; the fantastical meander of the River Cuckmere south of Exceat; and views of the undulating Seven Sisters chalk cliffs.

I’ve been along these paths dozens of times, having first encountered them when interviewing the late John Hillaby, author of Journey Through Britain.

The book told of his attempt — almost successful — to pick a pedestrian route from Land’s End to John o’ Groats without going on metalled roads. He’d walked all over the world but reckoned there was nowhere to beat these downlands. Another author, Tom Paine, who wrote Rights of Man, worked as an excise officer in nearby Lewes 200 years earlier and held it in the same regard.

You can use this walk as a taster for more ambitious ventures; part of it runs along the South Downs Way, which goes from Eastbourne to Winchester.

The route

1 From lower of two car parks (“Willows”) in Alfriston take public footpath signed to The Tye and Cuckmere Riverbank, passing to left of coach park and over two stiles to raised path by river. Pass white bridge and church. Path and river wind to right, then left. Find path arriving from right and turn on to it. Arriving at road, turn left and look for main entrance to Deans Place Hotel. Cross to bridleway.

2 Bridleway is signed to Bo Peep Bostal. Climb path to open downs.

3 As you reach this junction, ignore stile and noticeboard ahead. Veer left then right into next field. Follow path and fence, now on your right, until division between fields at the corner (this is not obvious). Turn left and follow path down. Bear slightly right to gap in trees and enter woods.

4 Bear left to meet crossing track, which climbs and crosses farm track. Keep left at junction, pass NT sign for Frog Firle. Track meets road by sign for Seaford.

5 Cross road and along bridleway for South Hill. At residential road go straight. Cross A259 into Chyngton Lane opposite. Lane meets road rising to car-park at South Hill Barn. Turn left and walk beyond vehicle barrier to nature reserve signboard at paths junction.

6 Best route is metalled path at right; where this loops left, turn off right into broad grass path which soon affords sea views. Opt for left fork to bring you in sight of Seven Sisters.

7 Go down past houses and through gate. Cross shingle to left bank of Cuckmere.

8 Follow to Golden Galleon Inn at Exceat Bridge.

9 Exit car park and cross road, turning right to path. Cross Exceat Bridge. Cross road and follow A259 on footpath to Seven Sisters Country Park.

10 Take gravel track through car park to sgnpost for “W Dean”. This and subsequent posts lead through Friston Forest to Westdean and signpost.

11 Proceed as directed for South Downs Way and Litlington, over crossroads. Where road bends right, find little concrete sign for South Downs Way.

12 Re-enter Friston Forest. Take South Downs Way and signs for Litlington. Go down bank by steps. Bear left to stile on right.

13 Leave forest via stile and climb edge of field. Follow stiles over fields and down to lane in Litlington. Turn left then right and along street to Plough and Harrow pub.

14 Go a few yards farther along street then left into footpath opposite Holly Tree House. As path goes left, turn right to follow river. 15 Cross white bridge at Alfriston to visit:

16 St Andrew’s Church;

17 the Clergy House;

18 the pubs and shops. along Alfriston's village street. Pass market cross to return to either car park.

Source: www.walkingworld.com

Contributor: Tony Brotherton, Walk No 1604

Things to see

Stunning views of the Sussex Downs and the Seven Sisters. Birds, butterflies and other wildlife. The National Trust-restored Clergy House, a pre-Reformation vicarage

Pub rating: 4/5

Pub: The Golden Galleon

The Golden Galleon, Exceat. An extremely popular country pub with a history that goes back to the days of smuggling. A varied menu and, best of all, a garden looking seawards

Where to stay

Wingrove House Hotel
Top-end dining and accommodation in Alfriston

The Avondale
A friendly family-run hotel with 14 rooms

Exceat Farmhouse
A B&B with two bedrooms upstairs plus a tearoom and restaurant. Must be booked ahead

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