Route 6: Malling Down and The Coombe

A short loop from the Tourist Information Centre through the Market Tower, past the Pells pond and over Willey's Bridge to Mill Road and Malling Down nature reserve, around the head of The Coombe near the golf course, and back down past the Martyrs' Memorial and Chapel Hill. The leaflet gives km; one side labels Route 6 as 4 km and the other gives 4.5 km for The Coombe, so treat the distance as approximate.

The ground

Town streets to Mill Road, then downland paths; the A26 is crossed at traffic lights; steps up a former chalk pit; a track down through woodland on the far side of The Coombe; a steep path down to Chapel Hill. Roadside parking at the end of Mill Road.

Livestock

The leaflet says The Coombe is grazed by a variety of sheep breeds. Separately, the Sussex Wildlife Trust's Malling Down page (undated) says sheep and cattle, and occasionally goats, graze the reserve, and that dogs must be on short leads all year.

Pubs and cafés on the way

• Crown InnMarket Street, Lewesstart
• The Old Needlemakers (cafe)opposite the Market Tower, Lewesstart
• Elephant & CastleLewes, by Abinger Placestart

The line on the map

The leaflet gives both 4 km and 4.5 km, and the path round The Coombe inside Malling Down is the router's best guess, so the line may run a little long.