Hassocks to Brighton Away Day: South Downs to the Sea (13 miles / 21km - Moderate, Booking Required)

This walk is for up to 25 people, including the leader.

Following day trips in previous years to the Sussex countryside and coast, this is a new route through the South Downs National Park and the city of Brighton & Hove, finishing with a chance of food on the beach before heading home.

Please note this is a linear walk from Hassocks to Brighton - both stations are easily accessible from Stag Walkers territory.

The route is half rural and half urban, taking in open downland, wooded sections, parks and pavement walking. There are some steep ascents so please ensure you have a good level of walking fitness if you wish to join this walk.

From Hassocks we’ll head south through Butcher’s Wood to the edge of Clayton, then ascend to the chalk ridge of the South Downs. After pausing to enjoy the view northwards and passing the two famous windmills named Jack & Jill, we’ll join the South Downs Way going southwest. The trail takes us past Pyecombe Golf Course and into Pyecombe village, where the 800-year old “Shepherds’ Church” is open for walkers to use the kitchen and toilet facilities.

After a short break at the church, we’ll ascend West Hill, which has great views back towards Clayton, onwards to the Devil’s Dyke and down to Brighton. After taking in the views we’ll head downhill and turn southeast towards Brighton along the Sussex Border Path.

Our late packed lunch stop will be at Wilding Waterhall, a former golf course which is now a nature reserve grazed with cows, ponies and sheep to help restore the chalk grassland habitat. There are a few benches scattered around the reserve but you may wish to bring something to sit on e.g. a sitmat.

After lunch, we’ll enter the city of Brighton & Hove. We’ll first walk along a green corridor of grassland and woodland to reach Hove Park (where toilets are available), then zigzag through the streets, passing through St Ann’s Well Gardens and the churchyard of St Nicholas (the oldest building in central Brighton, dating from the mid-14th century).

We’ll then walk through the city centre to the seafront and pier. Time permitting, we can have a chippy tea on the beach then make our way through Pavilion Gardens towards Brighton station and an optional pub stop. Direct trains leave Brighton at 18.44 then xx.14 for Stevenage, Hitchin, Letchworth etc. or xx.58 and xx.28 for St Albans, Luton etc.

 Please note this walk is not suitable for dogs.

For information about walking with the group, including our dog policy, please visit the Stag Walkers website.

Booking your place: Please book your place using the free Meetup website/app. Join the Stag Walkers Meetup group and click the 'Attend' button on the event page.

Please do not turn up for a walk without booking, as places are limited.

If the walk is fully booked, please click 'join waitlist' then please check back regularly as you will likely get a place. The waitlist gives priority to single bookings so if you wish to bring a guest, we recommend booking separately.

Unless you opt in to further communications, we will only use contact information you provide to get in touch about the walk.