© Colin Saunders, 2006

The new, 4th edition of the route description will be available to download later in 2008

From Berwick Station the route passes south through Berwick Village and Alfriston, then runs beside the Cuckmere River to Litlington before climbing over a shoulder of the South Downs through Friston Forest.  Then it descends to Cuckmere Haven, climbs over Seaford Head (with one of the most spectacular views in southern Britain, of the Seven Sisters), and finally goes along the sea front to Seaford and Newhaven Harbour.

Lowest and highest points: River Cuckmere and Seaford-Newhaven area (just above sea level); Seaford Head (80m).

5.1.  Opposite the Berwick Inn at Berwick Station Hv take Tk beside warehouse with sign "XM Yachting" on wall.  After 30m bear R between large shed and wire fence.  After 45m pass through gate into large field then bear L across field to gate in hedge.  Pass through and, keeping hedge on R, continue along field edge for 450m.  Pass through smaller of two gates and continue in front of farm buildings.  After 40m TL on to partially metalled Tk and follow to Rd.

(Grid Reference TQ518065)

5.2.  Turn half L across Rd and follow Fp half L down field.  Locate plank bridge in tree line and cross into large field.  Bear half L up rise towards L end of tree line.  Go through gap in hedge and over corner of next field to cross stile.  Head down grass field to cross stream at rumble bridge and up other side of field towards two telegraph poles close together.  Cross stile and go through gap at hedge corner.  TR down field edge to cross stream by double stile and plank bridge.  Bear half L to stile by metal gate and cross to busy A27 Rd v.

(Grid Reference TQ521054)

5.3.  TL for 50m then cross Rd on to minor Rd to Berwick Village H.  Opposite the Cricketers Arms pub take gravel Tk which goes round pond.  Follow Tk round to R between farm buildings and cross two stiles into field.  Bear slightly L of large trees to top of field L of Berwick Church.  Cross stile and continue along Tk past church.  (Here you can take Bw east to the B2108 Rd for Drusilla's Zoo Park H.)  Where Tk bears R behind church, take well defined Fp ahead through fields and follow over several stiles before reaching Tk and Rd.  Continue SA along Rd (toilets in car park on L) to Waterloo Square by the Market Inn in Alfriston Hv.

(Grid Reference TQ520032)

5.4.  Go SA along High Street.  Before the George Inn, cross the line of the South Downs Way.  25m after the George, TL along Fp in alley beside antique shop.  In 30m keep to L Fp and, with Alfriston church to your R, follow down to cross wooden bridge over Cuckmere River.  VW turns R to follow river for 1½km southwards; you may walk either side but we recommend the east (left) bank.  At seat by next bridge TL and follow metalled Fp to Litlington H.

(Grid Reference TQ522018)

For Alfriston Youth Hostel TR along metalled Fp west of river uphill to Seaford-Alfriston Rd; TR along Rd for 30m to hostel.

5.5.  TR on to Rd (TL for tea gardens) past Plough & Harrow pub.  In 80m TL on to Tk then after 25m TR through kissing-gate marked "South Downs Way" (here the VW corresponds with this branch of the SDW as far as Exceat).  Climb diagonally up field to reach stile at top L corner.  Cross and continue along L side of field.  At end cross two stiles into field with hedge on R (note white horse carved on hillside to R).  Follow this and over another stile to descend to trees at Charleston Manor.

(Grid Reference TQ522006)

5.6.  Cross stile and TL on to Tk which passes gates on R after 30m.  Continue along enclosed Tk for 40m then bear R up 75 steps into Friston Forest.  At top, continue SA along broad Tk.  Where main forest Tk bears L, keep SA with SDW, then at next junction bear L (still with SDW) and descend gradually for 325m, ignoring Tks to R.  At T-junction TR and descend SA ignoring side tracks to Rd and pond at foot of hill in Westdean.

(Grid Reference TV523997)

5.7.  Go SA on Tk between house and pond, then take Fp uphill with 227 wooden steps!  Follow Fp through Forest to stone wall with good view of Cuckmere Haven.  TR and in a few metres cross stone stile, go through gate and descend to kissing-gate at foot of hill, then pass between buildings to the A269 Eastbourne-Seaford Rd at Exceat, with Seven Sisters Country Park Visitor Centre H on your R (toilets).  South Downs Way goes SA through Country Park car park.

(Grid Reference TV520995)

5.8.  Cross Rd v and TR to use pavement on L side of main Rd (passing entrance to Living World Exhibition).  In 500m reach Exceat Bridge, where you must re-cross main Rd to use Fp over bridge. TL through car park of Golden Galleon pub H and cross stile on to Tk.  After 300m at Tk junction, follow level Tk SA along foot of hill for 1.5km to Cuckmere Haven.  Note that there is a proposal to flood the pastures to your left as part of the Cuckmere Estuary Restoration Project, which would return this land to its natural salt marsh state.  This will not affect the VW route.

(Grid Reference TV515977)

5.9.  You now have possibly the most outstanding view on the whole route - of the Seven Sisters.  It improves as you proceed, but you will have to keep looking back.  About 150m before coastguard cottages, ignore path to R and fork L towards beach.  TR up Tk between fences with cottages on L.  By last cottage cross cattle grid and bear L to grassy cliff path.  This shortly descends into a valley at Hope Gap (interpretation panel by steps to beach) then climbs again to Seaford Head, with golf course on R.  Beware of rock falls - the cliff edges are dangerous.  Continue down cliff path and between buildings to join sea-wall at Seaford H.  Walk along sea-front (The Esplanade) for 1.25km passing Martello Tower (toilets) to Beachcomber Hotel at junction with Dane Road.

(Grid Reference TV479990)

For Seaford Station, TR along Dane Road.  At junction of five Rds bear L round corner to Seaford station (500m) Hv.

5.10.  The VW now coincides with the Sussex Ouse Valley Way for the remainder of the route to Newhaven.  Continue SA along sea-front (Marine Parade) for 1.25km to where it bears R inland.  Continue SA on concrete Tk past Newhaven & Seaford Sailing Club.  Then follow Fp on embankment beside creek inland of Tk for 750m to ruined Tide Mills buildings.

(Grid Reference TQ460003)

Note: For some years there has been a proposal to build a new ferry terminal on land to SW of Tide Mills.  Should this proceed, building work may affect the final section of the VW.

5.11.  Continue SA through mill ruins and along N bank of creek for a further 800m, eventually beside railway line, and cross footbridge over railway.  Continue on Fp through industrial estate to join Rd (Beach Road) and continue SA for 250m to junction with Newhaven Harbour sign, where TL, then immediately either (a) TR for Newhaven Harbour station Hv; or (b) TL again across railway line for ferry terminal (toilets).

(Grid Reference TQ450009)

Note: There is a proposal to build a large residential development beside the River Ouse, which may affect the station area and VW during building work.

For Newhaven Town station v continue SA for 600m along Beach Road (becoming Clifton Road then Railway Road).  For the town centre H TL after Newhaven Town station and cross the bridge over the River Ouse.

© Colin Saunders, 2006