High and Over White Horse
South Downs Walk
Nat Park - South Downs
County/Area - East Sussex
Author - Lou Johnson
Length - 2.0 miles / 3.3 km Ascent - 340 feet / 103 metres
Time - 1 hours 20 minutes Grade - easy
Maps
Ordnance Survey Explorer OL25 | Sheet Map | 1:25k | BUY |
Anquet OS Explorer OL25 | Digital Map | 1:25k | BUY |
Ordnance Survey Landranger 199 | Sheet Map | 1:50k | BUY |
Anquet OS Landranger 199 | Digital Map | 1:50k | BUY |
Walk Route Description
Click image to see photo description.
This short East Sussex walk offers a wonderful view up the Cuckmere River valley towards Alfriston and provides a retrospective view of the High and Over White Horse. Although short, the walk descends steeply to the riverbank and after a level section there is a steady climb back to the start.
The start is the High and Over car park on Alfriston Road (grid ref. TQ509011) leading from Seaford to Alfriston. After parking exit the rear of the car park just to the left of an information board. Go through the trees and continue along the path that leads to the viewpoint. Using the topograph you can identify local landmarks. Over three hundred feet below lies the Cuckmere River which follows an intricate meandering course to the sea. On the hillside below is the white horse which was first cut in 1836. In 1924 the horse was recut.
Continue down the path across steep grassy slopes. For some of the way there are steps cut into the hillside. Continue downhill and at the bottom bear right to reach the riverbank. Turn left and continue upstream with the river on your right for just under a mile to reach the New Bridge across the river. As you progress along the riverbank you can look back to see the white horse.
Turn left here and climb up the bank to reach a cross path. Turn left again and follow this path which heads up towards the Alfriston Road. Continue along the path, which parallels the road on your right, back to the car park.
Other walks nearby
Walk 1357 | The Seven Sisters from Exceat | moderate | 14.0 miles |
Walk 3120 | Alfriston to Rodmell by the South Downs Way | moderate | 9.0 miles |
Walk 3574 | Firle Beacon & Cuckmere Valley | moderate | 10.4 miles |
Walk 1015 | Ouse Valley & Beddingham Hill from Newhaven Tide Mills | moderate | 12.0 miles |
Walk 2227 | East Dean Circular | moderate | 11.0 miles |
Walk 1638 | Beachy Head & Eastbourne | easy/mod | 6.2 miles |
Walk 1633 | Charleston Farm & Firle Beacon | easy/mod | 4.6 miles |
Walk 2419 | Southease, Ditchling Beacon & Lewes | mod/hard | 17.0 miles |
Walk 1038 | Firle Beacon | moderate | 13.3 miles |
Walk 3516 | Eastbourne to Alfriston by the South Downs Way | mod/hard | 12.5 miles |
Recommended Books & eBooks
Walks in the South Downs National Park
Guidebook with 40 circular walks throughout the South Downs National Park, exploring the beautiful chalk hills between Eastbourne and Winchester. The walks range from under 5 miles to 11 miles, including Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters, Ditchling Beacon and hundreds of prehistoric sites. Accessible all year, but wild flowers best in spring.
More information
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