Walked as part of the 2026 National Parks Challenge. I liked this route very much and the shingles can be avoided at many points. Lots of facilities and indeed railways stations at both ends....

John Scott

As other reviewers have rightly mentioned, this is a cliff walk with everything that entails, steep climbs and a head for heights!...

Elijah

Enjoyable coastal route done as part of the Slow Ways National Trail...

Elijah

This route seems otherwise ideal for just that as it is in a beautiful and popular area for ‘outdoor leisure’, is simple and so very easy to navigate and has extremely good bus links between each end or for breaking the route....

Daisy C

I've taken the liberty of copying it here because, as you can see, this is the route he walked without the bit where he tried to find a way through from Steyning Rd in Seaford. I walked this route from Seaford to Eastbourne on a misty day in August 2023. Although the coastal SEAEAS Three route has already been snailed and is a terrific walk, this inland route is also well worth using....

Daisy C

An enjoyable walk in a beautiful landscape with lovely views, especially of the idyllic (bar traffic) Cuckmere Valley. I used the beautiful and extremely frequent Coaster bus route number 12 to travel out to Seaford then walked back to Eastbourne. The road walking at both ends is necessary to make this shorter but is tedious, especially in Eastbourne which isn't so quiet and has no semi-wild golf course to look across (imagine hunting for lost balls in those gorse thickets). I would enjoy blending this with the Seaford end of SeaEas 3 and maybe using the quieter PolEas 3 inside Eastbourne....

Daisy C

Created this route accidentally but definitely recommend it as a very enjoyable alternative if you have the time. My intention was to verify PolEas 2 but I decided to look at the Polegate Windmill (suggestion from PolEas 1 review) thinking I could review the missing bits using Google Street View. Don't waste time trying to use the off road alternative of the Public Footpath around Willingdon School, it's very neglected and difficult with fallen fencing and heavy overgrowth. Those small details aside this way copies PolEas 2 and it's a very enjoyable way to get close into the middle of Eastbourne through a 'wild' greenspace. Once down the main hill slope into Eastbourne the road wasn't quiet as I hoped for and so, in for a penny, I struck out on another alternative via another golf course in search of less traffic. During this walk I did walk a little way along both the moderately busy roads at either end of PolEas 2 and definitely prefer this quieter route even if it is more fiddly. But I'm sure a better way than PolEas 1 could be found for people who might not manage the slopes and stiles of PolEas 2 or 3....

Daisy C

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

There is a fair bit of road walking at the start and end, with the middle section along reasonably obvious footpaths and bridlepaths. The climb up from Lower Willingdon to Willingdon Hill is fairly steep and the bridlepaths on the top were quite wet and muddy....

MJRW12345

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

I walked this route from Seaford to Eastbourne on a misty day in August 2023. Although the coastal SEAEAS Three route has already been snailed and is a terrific walk, this inland route is also well worth using. The route was easy to follow on the map and on the ground....

Bostal Boy

I stomped across in leather boots and got some water in them, but this was more comfortable for me than going bare foot over the pebbles, water shoes may be a good option if you want to keep your boots dry, but most people seemed happy to go bare foot....

CLIFF

The route uses a pavement beside a quiet lane to get to Wannock at the edge of the Downs. Once on top, the walk follows a short section of the Weald Way, then meets up with the South Downs Way which it follows all the way into Eastbourne....

Bostal Boy

This is the quickest walking route from Polegate to Eastbourne, but it's along the main road and misses many of the beautiful local features including the South Downs, Polegate Windmill, Ratton Drive, Willingdon Golf Club and various back footpaths and cut throughs. Noisy too! However, it is perfect for anybody wheeling their way....

CATHERINE H

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

A beautiful route giving you endless views of white cliffs and ocean that also adds a bit of a challenge in the many ascents and descents you'll do!...

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

Seaford itself had a great approach with some adventurous steep paths to get down to the flat and accessible sea front. There are great options for pubs and food at Seaford and Eastbourne with a train station at each end....

Slow Ways Darren

Would be improved by leaving out the road section inland from Norman's Bay and walking along the beach for that part....

Rach