Lewes Circular via Glynde and Southease

A long three-ridge circuit from Lewes station, walkable in either direction: over the Kingston ridge on the South Downs Way to Rodmell and Southease, across to Glynde, and back over the Mount Caburn ridge (the summit is a short detour) into Cliffe. Each section runs between two of the three stations, so any one or two can be walked alone with a train back. The source gives km, with miles in brackets.

The ground

Rated 7 out of 10: three steep climbs, otherwise mostly level on wide, distinct paths. Road sections on the Juggs Road lane out of Lewes, a fast road to cross near Kingston, lanes at Rodmell and Southease, and the A27 at Glynde, crossed using the central strip. Crosses the River Ouse at Southease. Drinking-water tap at Southease church.

Livestock

No livestock warnings. The directions mention a cattle stockade on the South Downs Way above Southease and a cattle grid on the escarpment west of Rodmell.

Pubs and cafés on the way

• Abergavenny ArmsRodmellmidway
• YHA Courtyard CafeSouthease (near the station)midway
• Trevor ArmsGlynde (next to the station)midway
• SteamworksGlynde stationmidway
• Little Cottage Tea RoomsGlynde (Ranscombe Lane)midway
• Juggs InnKingston (short detour off the clockwise route)midway
• Landsdown ArmsLewes, near the stationend
• The RunawayLewes station, platform 2end

The line on the map

Drawn anticlockwise; the line leaves out the optional Mount Caburn summit detour and uses the road between Rodmell and Southease where the walk takes a parallel permissive path.