Burlew two

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

An excellent Slow Way! Starting with a walk through the historic streets of Lewes, followed by a gentle ascent of The Downs past the old racecourse. Sadly, conditions were misty so we didn't get the views you normally can, but the skies cleared at Ditchling Beacon. The walk beyond through Ditchling to Burgess Hill was varied, enjoyable and mostly offroad. Really enjoyable! My only gripe with the route is the plotting which is rather vague in parts and requires some interpretation when zoomed in on the OS app. But the route is too good to let that, or the weather, lose it a star. There can be cattle on The Downs and there is a short section of road walking into Burgess Hill, but other than that, the route is utterly safe. Stops and shops in Lewes, Ditchling and Burgess Hill and links to public transport at either end, but not much en route. Five stars!.

Fantastic route that takes in some of the best of the Sussex countryside. It is quite varied with paths through woodland, across fields, small villages/towns and great views across the downs.

I walked this route in Winter, after a heavy downpour, and found many sections very muddy and a little slow going. Would highly recommend using some good boots!

Ditchling has lots of snack and lunch options and makes a great pit stop before you embark on the steep uphill section to get onto the South Downs Way.

This route would certainly get 5 stars in the summer!.

A very enjoyable Slow Way. I walked this during late December, so it was a good test for winter conditions. The only tricky section due to water/mud was east of Oldlands Lane. Just after passing the windmill, there are dual rights of way inside and just outside of a wooded strip. Interchanging between these two paths seemed the best way to navigate the deep puddles that had formed. Boots/wellies are a must.

Ditchling is a perfect mid-Slow Way settlement, where we stopped fro coffee and cake. There are also public toilets, and other shops/pubs.

The path up from Underhill Lane into the Nature Reserve at the base of Ditchling Beacon has recently been cleared. This looked like it might have been preventative ash-dieback felling or just some conservation action to open up the woodland. The lane is chalky and quite slippery but easy to navigate up the steepest part of the Slow Way.

Once up on the top, the well maintained and signposted South Downs Way takes you towards Lewes and the rest of the paths into town had no issues. Lovely views from up top. Lewes has plenty of ammenities and onward travel options by bus and train.

A quick shout out to the 'Monday Group' who are a voluntary rights of way group in Sussex. Their small sign was attached to many of the stiles and gates that we passed through. Thank you to these volunteers for maintaining important rights of way in this part of the world, as without them, Slow Ways such as this would be a lot more difficult and less enjoyable.

One small issue with this Slow Way is the the gpx is quite 'broad brush'. Although useable for navigation, in an ideal world it could do with some ammendments to add some detail to more complex parts of the route, especially when multiple footpaths are in close proximity or when travelling into urban areas such as Lewes.

5 star walk in the summer without doubt, but quite boggy around Ditchling in winter.

Fantastic varied route through the fields around Burgess Hill, past an old water tower , a stunning windmill and then and eventually up onto the downs for panoramic views over Lewes and Mount Caburn, walking down past the old race course and into Lewes, where there are lots of food and drink options and a train station with regular services to London, Brighton and Eastbourne.

Ditchling is 5k in and has some quaint cafes, pubs and public toilets. Would recommend this route.

This is a fantastic five-star walk, the best of Sussex downland. I walked from Burgess Hill to Lewes on 6/8/21.
A newly resurfaced path alongside the railway line from Burgess Hill station quickly leaves the town behind, and leads to the fields at Batchelor's Farm. This is a popular nature reserve which offers marvellous views south to Jack and Jill windmills on the South Downs. The route then heads on past the water tower (1956) to reach Keymer Road. At this point there is a short section walking along a very narrow verge at the side of the road, which can be quite busy. Soon another footpath past the stone masons' workshops takes you to Oldlands Windmill (fully restored 2007) and then down Lodge Hill Lane into the pretty village of Ditchling (shops, pubs etc.)
The climb from the village up to Ditchling Beacon is steep and the bostal path is narrow with a deep rainwater channel eroded down the middle. Once up on the Downs, the route follows the South Downs Way to Black Cap then a well-signed bridleway for 3 miles past the Old Racecourse into Lewes. The route along the Downs has tremendous views in all directions, is waymarked and easily followed. Expect to pass through herds of grazing cattle and flocks of sheep, all unfazed by passing walkers and cyclists.
Once into Lewes you can take your pick of interesting streets or twittens to follow towards the town centre and the station.
For me this route trumps BURLEW One because it leaves Burgess Hill by the most direct route, avoiding the need to trudge through interminable estates of new housing around Folders Lane. It also passes through the centre of Ditchling for refreshments.

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