Description
The major difference from PyeBri 1 is between Pyecombe and the edge of town where it goes along the ridge on the eastern side of the valley, passing close to the Chattri Memorial and using a footbridge across the A27 instead of the vehicle underpass mentioned in the PyeBri 1 reviews. The two routes are similar through Brighton but this version makes a point of explicitly dipping into green spaces where it can and keeping away from the very busy A23 as much as possible. It is only 550m or 6% longer but has just 3.7 (vs 5.9km) of pavement walking. The maximum gradients seem similar, both routes have steep parts typical of the South Downs but neither have the brutal climbs you sometimes encounter.
There are a variety of public transport links and places to stop for a bite along the way, see attached map. Brighton&Hove's own bus app is good for live departures. The church in Pyecombe is apparently worth a look and you should be able to get a coffee if it's open. Other points of interest: the Chattri (Indian War Memorial looking over an isolated valley, the related exhibition in the Brighton Pavillion was also recommended to me); Preston Manor (due to reopen for the first time in decades in 2025); St Peter's Church next door (medieval murals) and the Gong Bath pavilion at the other end of Preston Park (so Brighton!)
The major difference from PyeBri 1 is between Pyecombe and the edge of town where it goes along the ridge on the eastern side of the valley, passing close to the Chattri Memorial and using a footbridge across the A27 instead of the vehicle underpass mentioned in the PyeBri 1 reviews. The two routes are similar through Brighton but this version makes a point of explicitly dipping into green spaces where it can and keeping away from the very busy A23 as much as possible. It is only 550m or 6% longer but has just 3.7 (vs 5.9km) of pavement walking. The maximum gradients seem similar, both routes have steep parts typical of the South Downs but neither have the brutal climbs you sometimes encounter.
There are a variety of public transport links and places to stop for a bite along the way, see attached map. Brighton&Hove's own bus app is good for live departures. The church in Pyecombe is apparently worth a look and you should be able to get a coffee if it's open. Other points of interest: the Chattri (Indian War Memorial looking over an isolated valley, the related exhibition in the Brighton Pavillion was also recommended to me); Preston Manor (due to reopen for the first time in decades in 2025); St Peter's Church next door (medieval murals) and the Gong Bath pavilion at the other end of Preston Park (so Brighton!)
Status
This route has been reviewed by 1 person.
There are no issues flagged.
Photos for Pyebri two
Photos of this route will appear when they are added to a review. You can review this route here.
Information
Route status - Live
Reviews - 1
Average rating -
Is this route good enough? - Yes (1)
There are currently no problems reported with this route.
Downloads - 1
Surveys
We are working to build-up a picture of what routes look like. To do that we are asking volunteers to survey routes so that we can communicate features, obstacles and challenges that may make a route desirable or not.
Slow Ways surveyors are asked to complete some basic online training, but they are not vetted. If you are dependent on the survey information being correct in order to complete a route, we recommend that you think critically about the information provided. You may also wish to wait until more than one survey has been completed.
Help people know more about this route by volunteering to submit a survey.
- Complete the survey training.
- Submit a survey for this route.
Geography information system (GIS) data
Total length
Maximum elevation
Minimum elevation
Start and end points
Pyecombe
Grid Ref
TQ2922312657
Lat / Lon
50.89894° / -0.16374°
Easting / Northing
529,223E / 112,657N
What3Words
unlucky.forensic.gadget
Brighton
Grid Ref
TQ3101304887
Lat / Lon
50.82870° / -0.14108°
Easting / Northing
531,013E / 104,887N
What3Words
script.begins.warns
| Pyecombe | |
|---|---|
| Grid Ref | TQ2922312657 |
| Lat / Lon | 50.89894° / -0.16374° |
| Easting / Northing | 529,223E / 112,657N |
| What3Words | unlucky.forensic.gadget |
| Brighton | |
|---|---|
| Grid Ref | TQ3101304887 |
| Lat / Lon | 50.82870° / -0.14108° |
| Easting / Northing | 531,013E / 104,887N |
| What3Words | script.begins.warns |
Sorry Land Cover data is not currently available for this route. Please check back later.
review
Daisy C
11 Mar 2025I enjoyed this walk and did it in two parts, from Pyecombe to Patcham then Patcham to Brighton Station the next day. I decided to pioneer it as I was arriving in Pyecombe after testing PyeWoo and had a long wait for the next bus. There was an hour or so to sunset and I thought it wouldn't take much longer to walk, plus I may get a good view of the sunset. I was coming down the final slope when I made the decision and missed the last half mile of the route to maximise walking time before dusk. The sunset and views were lovely. I also found some orchid rosettes in a small copse, but doubt many flower spikes will survive the sheep. I did consider avoiding the road past the travellers site using paths across the access land (legit but not shown on OS) but this way was simpler, very clear and well signed as it's part of the Sussex Border Path. The road and site were quiet and the site set well back so I was happy with the choice.
The only muddy section was across the Pyecombe golf course but there was also a path crossing ploughed field that could have been quite sticky if you were unlucky with timing and weather. And the wooded path between the A27 footbridge and open space in Patcham had some V-shaped water erosion.
I completed the Patcham to Brighton section the next day and was pleased to keep away from the A23 so much. Old London Road felt almost rural. I chose to cross the A23 at a small roundabout because ibut it's just a hundred metres more to double back to a light controlled crossing. I saw a buzzard outside the Withdean sports complex, many bands of woodland make that area greener than expected. The earlier short path through part of them was very quiet and worth it for the birdsong alone. The ends are marked by low information boards but there were some large fox or badger holes to be avoided. The footpath north of Preston Park station wasn't smelly (unlike for reviewers of PyeBri 1). I chose the wiggly central way through Preston Park as the funnel shape and church as landmark would make it hard to get lost.
The Greenway from New England Road to Brighton Station was peaceful and worth climbing the steps for (all the alternatives would also have steps or a steep climb up Trafalgar Street). It comes out by the taxi ranks behind the station and there is a footway alongside the platforms which is open 24/7 according to station staff.
I hope to upload some photos when I have a little more time.
Share your views about this route, give it a star rating, indicate whether it should be verified or not.
Include information that will be useful to others considering to walk or wheel it.
You can add up to 15 photos.
Other Routes for Pyecombe—Brighton See all Slow Ways
Review this better route and help establish a trusted network of walking routes.
Suggest a better route if it better meets our methodology.
Share your thoughts