Polegate Loop
A truly lovely walk showing the South Downs in its magnificence
Travel - Train: Out - best reached from London by train - the 8.47 from Victoria, 8.54 from Clapham arriving 10.03 (no works planned).
Return - hourly trains, should get the 17.07 from Polegate, arriving Clapham 18.18, Victoria 18.26.
NB It is the Eastbourne Airshow Weekend so buying tickets at Victoria likely to be even slower than usual. Allow at least 15 minutes or buy in advance.
Car: By road A22. you will find Polegate about 5 miles north of Eastbourne and the station is perhaps best approached by the turn into Polegate from the A2270.
Route - a.m. Southwards up to the Downs via the Wealdway, including a
shortish steep climb; then westwards through Friston Forest (deciduous) and out into the open again for the descent to Litlington in the Cuckmere valley.
p.m. Long but fairly gradual climb up from near sea level to the crest of the Downs then a steep descent back to the Wealdway and back to Polegate via Fulkington.
Lunch - Litlington, either a pub lunch at the Plough and Harrow (dogs welcome) or at the Litlington Tea Gardens .
Notes - This walk, weather permitting, provides exceptional views of the South Downs, the Sussex Weald and across Friston Forest to the sea.