This walk makes use of the very well sign-posted South Downs Way from Alfriston as far as the Ouse at Southease, where it turns along the river to head into Lewes. [On the far side of the bridge, the YHA South Downs cafe – open every day for most of the year – is great for a hot or cold drink and a light bite (usually with a vegan option).] By contrast, the remainder of the route is about as low as is possible: snaking along the west bank of the Ouse....

Self

On the OS Map it looks like the path forks but in reality you need to take a hard right into some woods and through to the field on the other side to stay on the right route....

Jo-Jo

Steep up Chapel Hill but otherwise quite gentle. Took 3.5 hours at quite an easy pace....

Jo-Jo

From there it's flat walking alongside the river ouse all the way to Lewes....

MPHoplling

The paths out of Alfriston were a bit waterlogged so we kept to the east bank until Litlington and we had no trouble keeping our feet dry....

MPHoplling

All well signposted and lots of pubs and cafes to choose from when we arrived in Alfriston....

MPHoplling

Care is needed navigating through Denton and along the previously mentioned bridlepath - I managed to follow it but there is no evidence on the ground that it exists, bar a sign where the route diverges from the SDW. A bit muddy in January but nothing impassable!...

MJRW12345

There are some tricky sections, including a few stiles with no alternatives (e.g. crossing the train track) and some muddy sections with low overhanging branches....

Charlie Peverett

The second half of the walk takes off from the car park along a bridle path heading directly towards Newhaven. On the map this is shown as a bridle path for about 500m directly across a field, and this has been used by the Slow Way plotter. From here the straight line path is still directly across a field but much more evident on the ground (foot and hoof prints have worn a path) though there isn't much in the way of signage....

Bostal Boy

The walk along that and then into Alfriston is gentle and has a nice bit of variety - be sure to check out the long barrow....

Dominic Le Garsmeur

We walked this route from Alfriston to Seaford on a bank holiday Sunday so naturally it was very busy. The path on the other side of the river, which is the marked South Downs/Vanguard Way, was very busy with walkers for the first couple of miles from Alfriston but the one we took on the west bank was less so....

porcovolente

I walked it on the end of a sunny and hot day, with the sun coming down behind me as I walked into Eastbourne. I agree with the other reviews and would certainly walk it again. Everyone in Alfriston and Eastbourne should give it a go!...

danravenellison

Once you venture away from newhaven there is initially a couple of hilly areas, once you get to the top though the ridge line is one of the best spots in Sussex. You join the south downs way and follow this down into alfriston where you can then lead onto several more possible walks....

tomatron

This is defintely the more functional route between Alfriston and Seaford, avoiding the Cuckmere valley completely but it's still a lovely walk....

MJRW12345

Much the same as the previous two reviews - this is a great walk, reasonably easy to follow and with a nice resting point half way at Folkington church!...

MJRW12345

Great views along the River Ouse and South Downs Way at Firle Beacon! If you want to get more ascent, if coming from Alfriston, an option could be to turn off just after Firle Beacon towards Glynde and then join Lewalf 2 the rest of the way to Lewes....

Ingrina

Following mainly the South Downs Ways, the path is great for walking and running, solo and for groups. The paths are quite wide and plenty of room for sauntering and chatting and the route mostly easy to navigate. Alfriston is a great little town, and Eastbourne has a lot of options for refreshments, food, and other public facilities....

Ingrina

It heads out the the centre of Eastbourne along roadside pavements through the old town, past some interesting medieval buildings. At this point the route connects with the South Downs Way and follows it all the way to Alfriston (apart from a short-cut across a field at Lullington) near to Alfriston....

Bostal Boy

This route uses the west bank of the Cuckmere River from Alfriston to Exceat Bridge. From the Cuckmere Inn by Exceat Bridge you follow the England Coast Path signs to walk down to the coastguard cottages. The walk back to Seaford is over the cliffs of Seaford Head, past Hope Gap and along the edge of the golf course....

Bostal Boy

This route uses the slightly quieter east bank of the Cuckmere River from Alfriston to Exceat Bridge. At Exceat Bridge you cross the river and the busy A259 by the Cuckmere Inn....

Bostal Boy

The route goes right passed the Long Man of Wilmington and you can spot the White Horse too from this route too....

danravenellison

In Alfriston some locals told us that this route used the old ways that people used to complete this journey....

danravenellison

The section from Firle to Alfriston is along farm tracks which are surfaced with chalk and stones and completely free of obstacles. The lane between Firle and Alfriston is traffic-free, but is used by horses, cyclists and the occasional motorbike scrambler....

Bostal Boy

The only issues are in the section from Foxhole Farm to the Ouse Estuary Nature Reserve. The final short section through the nature reserve was pleasant. However I think this section of the route needs to be redirected , avoiding Foxhole Farm (which I suspect suits them just fine), heading directly to the edge of Denton, then using pavements along the main road to Newhaven station....

Bostal Boy

It heads to the right of an underground reservoir on a gentle climb up to the hamlet of Folkington, which has a pretty church but no other facilities. Carrying on over the hill, the path drops down into the Cuckmere Valley with more awesome views of Alfriston in the distance....

Bostal Boy

The cut through the twittens at the start behind the main street in Alfriston is a little confusing and a bit unnecessary as the main street through the village is so attractive. Out of the valley there is a short, fairly stiff climb to the Comp track, then almost immediately starts the descent down to Seaford through the golf course....

Bostal Boy

Yes it goes on two sides of a triangle, but the first leg takes in the best views of the famous Seven Sisters cliffs and the second leg is a pretty meander up the River Cuckmere to the village of Alfriston....

seafordperson

Expect to find all kinds of livestock on the route, I had to walk through fields with Cows, Sheep and Horses2...

MJRW12345