© Colin Saunders, 2006

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

ROUTE DESCRIPTION

Introduction

The Route Description that follows is based on our original survey in 1979/80, and re-surveys in 1985/86 and 1996/97.  It incorporates the updates published in June 2003.  Paragraphs are numbered for ease of reference.  The route is marked on some Ordnance Survey maps, but grid references are given at the end of each paragraph to help identify the route on your maps beforehand.

Distances and altitudes are given in metres (m) or kilometres (km) but, if you are more familiar with yards and miles, remember that 100m is about the same as 100 yards and that 1km is about five eighths of a mile.  We hope that you will wish to walk the whole distance in due course but, for convenience, we have divided the route into five sections, each providing a day's walking with availability of transport at each end.

Waymarking of the Vanguard Way is largely complete, though there are some gaps, especially in the Ashdown Forest.  You should also bear in mind that waymarks may be vandalised or removed without authority.  We have therefore provided as much detail as possible in the route description to enable the walker to follow the route without the benefit of waymarks.

Shown here are artist's impressions of how the waymarks look, with the arrows being yellow (on footpaths), blue (on bridleways) and red (on roads and byways).  There may also be some other colour used in other situations such as permissive paths and public open spaces.

Abbreviations used in the Route Description

H indicates places where there are facilities (shop or pub or hotel, etc) nearby.

v indicates places with public transport connections.

Italics = information which is not part of the main Route Description.

© Colin Saunders, 2006