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Walk 1770 - printer friendly version

Southease or Rodmell to Falmer Walk

Author - Barry Mackie

Length - 6.8 miles / 11 km

Ascent - 1010 feet / 306 metres

Grade - easy/mod

Start - OS grid reference TQ418059
Lat 50.835268 + Long 0.012352031
Postcode BN7 3HA (approx. location only)

There are two possible starting points for this section of the South Downs Way that lies within the South Downs National Park. If you travel by train, then as you leave the railway station near Southease you are already on the SDW and the nice scenic route ahead of you bypasses the village of Rodmell. However you might want to start at Rodmell if you need to park a car. If you are travelling by bus, both locations can be reached (see transport details). On the walk itself, the route is very well signed. All you need to do is look out for the distinctive acorn symbol. As this walk is on a bridleway and direction arrows are therefore coloured blue.

Starting from Southease - Leave the railway station and turn left on the narrow road to cross the River Ouse which is still tidal here, although the sea is still some four miles away to the south at Newhaven. Towards the end of the narrow lane you will reach the 13th Century Church at the tiny hamlet of Southease. With its round tower, this church is almost unique, being one of only three of its type in the county. The other two are also being situated within the Ouse Valley. Continue past the right side of the church to the T Junction, turning right, then left to the road signposted to Telscombe Village and St Lawrwence Church. To the right of this junction is a five barred gate and a finger post directing the way through the fields to Mill Hill (Grid ref TQ412053) and where the path meets the one coming from Rodmell

Starting from Rodmell - Looking south from the front of the Abergervenny Arms (Grid ref TQ418059) turn right into Mill Road. Go up the road and onto the private road (bridleway) to reach the waymarker by the gate to the fields and join the SDW coming from Southease. Take the narrow path to the right of the house (also named Mill Hill) and if you have had a look at the margins of your map, you will see that it is very close to here that you cross the Greenwich Meridian, i.e. it's a mere step over from the Eastern to the Western Hemisphere!

At the end of this short path it is out into the countryside and the way heads in a general northwest direction along the top of the downs through a mixture of arable and grazing farmland and soon alongside some steep slopes and the Weald of Sussex to your right. Depending on the weather conditions, you may get sea views in the direction of Saltdean to the south. Visibility was not quite good enough when we did this walk but it was just about possible to spot Saltdean itself. To the right and somewhat closer, looking over the Weald and using your map as a reference, with a bit of luck you will be able to pick out the towns and villages dotted amongst the incredible views that are to be seen for mile after mile along the walk.

Keeping in the same direction, you are soon on a concrete road, easily gaining height and heading for Front Hill. The way here is between the fields and when we did the walk (late March) they were planted with rape seed and the flowers were almost in full bloom. With the wind rippling the tops, this made for a wonderful sight - a sea of yellow in every direction; absolutely magical!

After reaching Front Hill, the route continues on to Iford Hill and then turns to the right at grid ref TQ391067. Here it leaves the concrete track and follows along the crest of Swanborough Hill, still alongside the edge with the steep slope to the right. Incidentally, whilst there is a fence alongside on most of this section, there is also the occasional gate and signs stating that this area is access land. A short walk over the brow and a little way down the slope opens up even more superb views. It is along this section that you'll see the first of several dew ponds alongside the path and although they all have the same purpose, they are all different and it is very easy to have a wander around and have a good look at them (See footnote).

At grid ref TQ379079 the way veers left in a south westerly direction on the track known as the old Juggs Road and for a while heads in the direction of the prominent radio mast in the distance. The path does not reach as far as the radio mast, but instead turns right at grid ref TQ370074 and still with the steep slope to the right, leads directly to the woodland (Newmarket Plantation). Losing height now, turn right at the edge of the woods and walk down the slope at the edge of the field to reach the smaller woods. Follow the clear path to reach and go under the railway arch.

Now turn left and walk alongside the field, parallel to the A27 to the bridge over the road (grid ref TQ367091). Cross the bridge and turn right onto the side road and here, away from the bustle of the traffic on the main road, is a convenient place to finish this walk. If you are in need of refreshments, then along the main road to Lewes there is a petrol station and a bit further along, on the other side of the road, The Newmarket Inn.

Footnote The dew ponds on the downs are man-made structures that were originally constructed to provide water for the livestock that graze in the region. In spite of their name, dew is not the main source of water as generally, rainfall is equal or more than the combined loss by evaporation and livestock consumption. More information is provided alongside one or more of the dew ponds seen on this walk.

Transport There is a bus stop at the Lewes end of the lane on the A27, which will take you to Lewes and from there a rail link to Southease and buses to Rodmell and Southease. There is a bus stop close to Southease station at Itford Farm on the A26 Newhaven Road. Services alter all the time, so you must check times before you set out. To reach Rodmell or Southease by car, take the A27 to Lewes and then follow signs to Kingston and then continue on the same road.

Walk 1770 Route Map

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