The secluded and very quiet valley where this route differs from PeaLew 1 adds variety. Also, as David notes, it leads you through the local dump by the Lewes waterworks instead of the encircling wooded pathway, although for me that was after hours, and so empty bar a dog walker, there were no significant physical barriers either. I walked from Peacehaven to Lewes in early March 2025 following a few dry weeks but a very wet winter. The only facilities are at Southease, turn east at the iron bridge for Southease station and a few minutes further for the YHA with an all day café and water refills or turn west for the bus stop in Southease village....

Daisy C

David's review is a good summary but also, mid-route there's a bus stop in Southease village (west of the bridge) and the YHA cafe is open all day and just 5 minutes past Southease station (east). I was also curious about the cafe-cum- undertaker by the Peacehaven start point....

Daisy C

Superb walk that I did from Uckfield to Lewes....

David Sanderson

E.g yhe "Garage" stop is next to the BP and not where the word Garage appears on OS Explorer maps I was also told that most bus drivers do not stop at the "Saddlery" stop for route 17 as it is dangerous although I think they may have meant the flyover stop, which is immediately before the turning to Hassocks....

Daisy C

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

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

Jo-Jo

Route is mostly good path and lots of signposts making it easy to navigate....

MPHoplling

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

MPHoplling

The majority of this route follows the Egret's Way, presenting a choice between walking on the raised riverbank or the surfaced cycle lane for all the time you follow the Ouse....

David Sanderson

The walk beyond through Ditchling to Burgess Hill was varied, enjoyable and mostly offroad. Stops and shops in Lewes, Ditchling and Burgess Hill and links to public transport at either end, but not much en route....

David Sanderson

On arrival in Lewes, the route takes you off the footpath and on to a track which leads to a locked gate at water works. Sadly a failure. I will post a corrected version as I was able to complete the walk...

David Sanderson

This route seems to be the same as PYELEW1 from Pyecombe to Lewes Racecourse then with a different, probably more direct approach into Lewes at the end. The route follows the South Downs Way from Pyecombe to Blackcap, then the well-used bridle path to Lewes Prison. The only down side in January is the bridle path from Lewes Racecourse to the prison which is heavily used by horses and extremely muddy....

Bostal Boy

The stretch east of the B2112 is pleasant but again becomes difficult to follow once you leave the Sussex Border Path....

Helen Frost

Walking on the east bank of the river is quieter and makes it very easy getting into Newhaven and the station....

MPHoplling

Once you leavee the industrial part of newhaven, jumped over the train tracks and connected up to the river this is a really simple, peaceful walk up the river. Once you cross the bridge at southease you join the Egrets way which is slowly being fully paved for easy access....

tomatron

Finding your way out of Hailsham is ok, the footpath from The Diplocks to Diplocks Way could be more obvious and you have to cross the dual carriageway A22, which is not ideal. The footpath out of Ripe seems to have completely disappeared, the path appears to go through someone's garden, potentially the route could stay on the road instead. On the basis that there isn't really an alternative route between Hailsham and Lewes (there are very few footpaths east of Ringmer for some reason), I think this route is just about ok....

MJRW12345

The first section to Ringmer and out along the Broyle was alright, with too much walking on pavements beside the road for my preference. From the Broyle, the next section across to Laughton Place and over to Ripe is quite agricultural with some footpaths cutting diagonally across fields rather than along the edges. Shops, pubs, and refreshments are available at Ringmer, Ripe and Upper Dicker....

Bostal Boy

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

Lovely, easy, scenic route from Woodindean straight to the heart of Lewes. One steepish chalky section to take care over if it's wet....

DLeggatt

Fantastic route that takes in some of the best of the Sussex countryside....

Joanne

Just after passing the windmill, there are dual rights of way inside and just outside of a wooded strip. The lane is chalky and quite slippery but easy to navigate up the steepest part of the Slow Way. 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....

everydayduffy

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....

Ricky Coleman

I walked this route from Lewes to Newhaven. It's a great route without any major issues or obstacles. The stretch along Newhaven Road is safe - there's a short stretch of pavement followed by enough of a verge that you're out of the way of speeding cars - but it's not the most comfortable!...

mtormey

I've done most of this as it's mostly the South Downs Way except at the Lewes end....

JohnMyerson

Really straightforward route from Lewes to Newhaven with 90+% on the path next to the river so very easy to follow, once you've found the footpath at either end!...

MJRW12345

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

danravenellison

There are some woods when you approach Black Cap which make for a great shaded picnic spot....

Saira

There are a couple of pop up cafés along the way, one on Mill lane near Windmills then the pink pitstop after Ditchling Beacon....

Bennybish2

The route out of Lewes is fairly quiet and then you're rewarded with great views of the South Downs when you get to Black Cap and Ditchling Beacon. If it's hot you can even get a little treat from the ice cream van at the top. Great time out if you want a walk with good views and a decent distance....

Ingrina

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

From here follow the river bank all the way into Lewes, crossing from the East bank to the West bank at the Southease swingbridge. The East bank of the river is quieter and less well walked, so the path is through long grass....

Bostal Boy

It passes through the attractive villages of Southease, Rodmell and Iford. There is a drinking water tap by Southease church and a pub (the Abergavenny Arms) on the main road at Rodmell....

Bostal Boy

The upper path along the levee bank is more overgrown. A new cycle path called the Egrets Way has been laid below the levee bank for part of the route....

Bostal Boy

I walked this route on 24-05-2022, and I would agree with the previous reviewer's comments though I found my way with no difficulties. However this is a lovely, scenic route along the banks of the rivers Uck and Ouse and also uses the route of the old railway line....

Bostal Boy

A series of straight lines from point to point. Use LEWUCK Two...

Bostal Boy

The first mile or so of the walk is along the busy A26 followed by a short walk through an industrial estate leading to a level crossing across the railway to get to the east bank of the River Ouse. Take care on the level crossing, then you are immediately on river bank and a glorious walk following the meander of the river Ouse though fields, flood plains and past any number of sea birds. The bridge and road to Southease is also the route of the South Downs Way. However, if you turn right the route follows the Ouse and you walk across a field and then through a park, coming out at Cliffe High Street....

Charlie K

It then starts its descent past the old Lewes racecourse and Landport Bottom into Lewes. Looking down into Lewes from above the slope of Landport Bottom you can visualise the events of the Battle of Lewes in 1264 when Simon de Montfort defeated Henry III....

Bostal Boy

In doing so one is taking the path people have followed between Brighton (previously Brighthelmstone) and Lewes for centuries....

Bostal Boy

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. 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...

Bostal Boy

Route follows the river Ouse for the majority and then follows a tarmacked bridleway over the hill into Peacehaven....

MJRW12345

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

MJRW12345

A very pleasant, almost completely off road walk that follows the River Uck and the River Ouse....

MJRW12345

This is a pleasant, direct and easy to follow route from the edge of Brighton into the centre of Lewes. Quite muddy when wet though!...

MJRW12345

Really loved this walk - combined it with the Brighton to Woodingdean route with a small amend to that one to pick up the Drove Road earlier on Warren Road. Great views and no real challenges, though the chalk path downhill section from Castle Hill can need a little bit of care depending on the weather....

funky

I think this route needs a complete rethink between Barcombe Mills and Uckfield - probably best to join it up with Buguck. Will try and walk it myself and provide a .gpx at some point soon....

MJRW12345