Alfriston to Southease
This stage follows part of the South Downs Way, which runs
all the way from Winchester to Eastbourne. On this short section of the former
droveway the path is on the springy turf of the chalk downs for almost its
whole length. There are great views across to the Weald from Firle Beacon and
views to the coast in the other direction. No refreshments can be bought on
this stretch except at the start in Alfriston. To reach the starting point you
can take a train to Polegate (from e.g. Clapham Junction) and then a #126 bus
to Alfriston.  From Southease station at
the end of the walk there are hourly trains to Lewes from where you can get to
London in one hour.
From the bus stop in Alfriston the
South Downs Way path goes west up Star Lane, alongside a pub.  Straight ahead across a road it becomes Kings
Ride, before heading steadily uphill on a chalky-flinty surface.
This longish climb is the only
serious effort on what is a rather easy stage.
At the end of the stony path the
SDW bears right out onto beautiful springy turf on chalk downland for the rest
of the walk.
As the track approaches the top of
Bostal Hill you pass the first of many robbed and partly ploughed out barrows
beside the path which now runs close to the north-facing scarp slope of the
downs.  Looking back you are now high
enough to see the sea beyond Cuckmere Haven.
The weather had been warm and dry for the past 5 days and parch marks
were visible over on the downs ridge to the south.
At the car park above the Bopeep
disused quarry there are picnic benches.
Up on the downs wherever the sheep
had not yet grazed the vegetation down to the ground there was a carpet of
buttercups, daisies, cowslips and speedwell.
Passing more barrows the path rises gently to Firle Beacon
viewpoint.  From here there are few signs
of major developments down in the valley, just dotted villages half hidden by
trees.  It’s only the glint of cars
travelling along the A27 which gives away the presence of so many people living
nearby.
Just after the two radio masts on
Beddingham Hill the path turns SW and begins a gradual descent.  Lewes is discreet to the North West whilst
Newhaven is now clearly visible to the South, dominated by a strange metallic
sausage-shaped building.
Finally the path sweeps down the
steep hill towards the A26 in a huge loop.
You cross the main road on a
footbridge and then turn left at Itford Farm for a short walk to the railway
station of Southease.  An hourly service
from here to Lewes takes only a few minutes.
From Lewes it is only about 1 hour by train back to Clapham Junction.
For other sections of the South Downs Way see www.greenlives.org.uk/sdw.html
Hike
John Trotter on scottexservices.com