South Downs Family Trek – 10k Route

Route overview

Region – South Downs

Length – 10km / 6 miles

Ascent – 6400 ft / 1956 m

Time – 5 hours

Grade – Medium

Start/Finish – St John’s Meads Church of England Primary School playing field on Rowsley Road, BN20 7XS

 

Map

 

 

Route description

Starting at St John’s Meads Church of England Primary School, we walk along the pavement and turn up a steep path climbing along the South Downs way towards Well Combe. Upon reaching the path crossroads, we continue across Long Down, which provides fantastic views towards Birling Gap and the Belle Tout Lighthouse. Built in 1832 but decommissioned in 1902, it was in danger of falling into the sea because of coastal erosion. In 1999 it was moved 17m back from the edge and will probably have to be moved again. The lighthouse has featured in many films, most notably Life and Loves of a She Dev-il. It is now a B&B.

Upon reaching Cornish Farm, we walk along a concrete track to cross over the coastal road and rejoin the South Downs Way. We then continue along the grassy coastal path, which undulates above Beachy Head and takes us to the viewpoint and a memorial to five French teenagers who escaped from Nazi-occupied France in 1941 and crossed the channel in canoes to join General de Gaulle.

We then retrace our steps and walk past the Beachy Head Countryside Visitor Centre, following a grassy path which takes us back down a steep decline into Eastbourne and our finish point back at the school, where you can enjoy a relaxing picnic.