Pyebri one

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A route which first combines the South Downs Way and then the Border Path which makes it very easy to follow. I'd forgotten just how gorgeous walking over the South Downs could be. We saw red kites, kestrels and lots of skylarks. The only section that was in any question was at Waterhall Reservoirs by the tunnel under the A27. The path is currently being worked on, but was really easy to figure a way around. Going along Mill Road under the railway was less stressful than I feared. Crossing the park by Patcham Place is a nice touch. The route crosses the A23 at a crossing to enter Patcham, an area I'd not actually explored before, but it's a pleasant neighbourhood with places shop, stop and eat. Leaving Patcham, the route follows the A23 briefly before a diversion around Withdean as far as Preston Park Railway Station. It might have been because it hot and I was in need of a break but I found this move a bit of an unnecessary diversion. The price of being away from the road was a series of climbs and descents. I was pleased to get back on the main road and into Preston Park. The final section to the station is via the New England area of Brighton, a nicer way to enter than the Preston Circus end of London Road. Overall a very enjoyable walk. Very offroad, safe and enjoyable. Reasonably direct. A very good Slow Way.

Burgess Hill to Brighton on 15th October 2021. Leg Three – PYEBRI

Pyecombe sits at the conjunction of two main roads from London to Brighton. The older road from Crawley via Cuckfield comes over Clayton Hill where it joins the newer road from Handcross and Bolney. The A23 dates back to 1810 and was ‘the first successful crossing of a wide stretch of Weald Clay’ – Peter Brandon. The consequence of these roads is that whilst walking PYEBRI, traffic noise is a constant irritation.

The walk itself starts off by following the South Downs Way, then branches off before the summit of West Hill, heading towards Varncombe Hill and Brighton which can be seen in the distance. The path leads towards a windmill then descends to meet the main road at the Patcham roundabout which is the junction of the A23 and the A27. The petrol station at the roundabout is a convenient spot for services if needed.

Note: be careful of traffic walking under the railway bridge at the bottom of Mill Hill, Patcham. It is only wide enough for one car at a time, and the drivers take their chance to race through when there is a gap, not expecting pedestrians.

From here on into Brighton, the route runs parallel to the London Road, crossing back and forth periodically as it aims to pick up quieter paths. Some are enjoyable (through Preston Park) some maybe less so (the smelly footpath beside the railway line before Preston Park station).

At the end of the route, following Debora’s advice (previous reviewer), I picked up the Brighton Greenway to arrive at Brighton Station. There is a steep stepped climb up to reach this path which is quiet and traffic-free. Sadly, it is also rather spoilt by the attentions of the spray can merchants on every available surface.

This Slow Way is well-traced and easily followed.

Look out for the spectacular elm trees in Preston Park. Brighton is blessed with many of these magnificent trees which have survived the ravages of elm disease due to the constant vigilance of the city’s ground staff. The remaining Preston Twin is thought to be the world’s oldest surviving English Elm, a reminder of what we are missing in the countryside.

My first Slow Ways walk. I am a seasoned walker and quite fit although I am a little out of practice after breaking my toe earlier in the year! Overall this is a good route and makes good use of off-road paths and green space on the way out of Brighton. There is a steep climb once out of the city, to the summit of the Downs near Mill Hill, and similarly a steep slope down, following the South Downs Way, to the village of Pyecombe at the end - I don't think there are any ways to get north out of Brighton without having to tackle the Downs! There are refreshments and toilets at Preston Park, the garage at Waterhall and at the Pyecombe service station. There is also a pub at the end of the walk - this would be a very nice walk out of Brighton for a late pub lunch. Buses run regularly if infrequently back to Brighton from Pyecombe however they do stop quite early. My only suggestion to improve this would be for the route to use the Brighton Greenway at the start, as this is a more pleasant way to get from the station to Preston Park - I have attached a screenshot of the route.

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