Community Wanderings
During the summer of 2022, four guided intergenerational storytelling wanderings took place in different locations of the South Downs National Park.
The walks enabled people to come together and experience the magic of the South Downs National Park. Each wandering included visits to various hidden gems, and the opportunity for people to share stories, insights and reflections.
The majority of the attendees were from London and had never visited the National Park before. The walks were joyful and expansive - by the end of each walk, new friendships had been formed, and connections made.
Jayshree, Carole and Julie at the Chattri on a wandering. The three women are also walking guides, leading walks in South London, East London and Essex.
“It’s so nice to be out of London and to explore a new area. I'd love to go for a walk like this in the future! I think the pandemic has really isolated a lot of people and it's just so nice to meet people that you've never met before from all different walks of life and to share things. ”
- Ruth
“I really enjoyed the walk, it’s something I never would have done by myself.”
- Fereshta
“As someone who loves walking in history, I thoroughly enjoyed it! I think living in London can sometimes be very lonely. It’s good to just meet like-minded people and also get your steps in and to get healthy.”
- Rabiah
Community Wanderings
Lewes to Mount Caburn
On this wander, we walked up to Mount Caburn, an iron-age hill fort which offers incredible sweeping views across Sussex. On the way we shared stories of the people, places and traditions that make this part of the South Downs National Park so interesting – from the Southdown sheep at Bible Bottom, and tales surrounding the legendary Lewes bonfire, to local anecdotes on the nearby world-famous Glyndeborne Opera House.
Following the walk, we explored the historic and picturesque town of Lewes, including Pells Pool, the oldest documented freshwater outdoor public swimming pool in the United Kingdom. We ended our journey with a late picnic lunch at the beautiful Southover Grange Gardens.
Should you decide to go on a walk to Mount Caburn, there is also an option to walk on to Glynde Station. Click here for the route and more information.
For information on more walks from Lewes Rail Station visit: walking trails - South Downs National Park Authority Note: the Rail to Ramble walk from Cooksbridge Station to Lewes can be found on this page.
Getting there: Lewes Station
For travel information: https://www.traveline.info/ and buses.co.uk
Shoreham-by-Sea to Steyning
On this wandering, we explored the colourful and quirky community of houseboats along the river Adur. The walk follows the Downs Link route to the characterful town of Steyning. The route also passes the beautiful mysterious Grade I listed Saxon church of St Botolph's.
Stories of people connected to the landscape, from artists to wanderers, both past and present brought this wondering to life. This walk is rated easy, the terrain is mostly flat. The no. 2 bus back to Shoreham from Steyning is frequent, and it’s worth having a wander by the beach before heading back. Some members of our group enjoyed a refreshing swim!
Getting there: Shoreham-by-Sea Station
For travel information visit: https://www.traveline.info/ and buses.co.uk
Hassocks to Patcham
We explored a handful of hidden gems on this wondrous South Downs wandering including the Jack and Jill windmills, the Chattri; a striking memorial built to honour the Indian dead of the First World War, and Ditchling Beacon. We shared stories of walking in landscape and paid respects to the those who lost their lives in the war. We also enjoyed spectacular views of the Sussex countryside from Ditchling Beacon.
When we reached the Chattri, we turned around to walk back to Hassocks and enjoyed the views in reverse. You can continue to walk onto Patcham where you can get a bus back to Hassocks, or alternatively you can get a bus heading towards Preston Park and Brighton.
You can also head up hill again and walk east along the South Downs Way to Ditchling Beacon and take the Breeze Bus into Brighton. Click here for a leaflet on walks in Ditchling Beacon and The Chattri.
More details on the Breeze Bus Service below. This walk requires a reasonable level of fitness. There is an incline up to the South Downs.
Getting there: Hassocks Station
BREEZE UP TO THE DOWNS The Brighton area has excellent bus services with double-decker Breeze buses serving the popular Devil’s Dyke daily (mid Jun-Aug) then a weekend & bank holiday service throughout the year for Devil’s Dyke, Stanmer Park and Ditchling Beacon. See brighton-hove.gov.uk/ breezebuses for full details.
For travel information: https://www.traveline.info/ and buses.co.uk
Seaford to Cuckmere Haven
We enjoyed a wonderful circular coastal wandering from Seaford Head to Cuckmere Haven enjoying iconic views of the Seven Sisters. Along the way we stopped off at the beach at Hope Gape to explore rock pools and creatively capture what we found.
We shared stories about the legendary people we know and know of, that frequent the downs, and their diverse and far-reaching connections to the landscape. We stopped off for ice-cream beside South Hill Barn. At the end of the walk, we went for a wander around Seaford town centre, enjoying exploring quirky and characterful local shops.
Walking along the coast from Seaford you will be on the newly opened England Coast Path, to read more about this trail click here.
TIP: If you carry on to the Seven Sisters Country Park, the frequent no. 12 bus service between Brighton and Eastbourne will take you back to Seaford from outside the visitor centre. This walk requires a reasonable level of fitness. There is an incline up to the South Downs.
(Click here for a leaflet on walks on the South Downs Heritage Coast)
Getting there: Seaford Station
For travel information: https://www.traveline.info/ and buses.co.uk
