Sunday Mar 1, 2009: 9.5 miles, ascent approx 220m (Map: OS Explorer 123)
It stayed dry despite the drizzly forecast. After a delayed start, four of us enjoyed a lovely day out following a route that was essentially a big circle around the Long Man of Wilmington (East Sussex).
Startng from the market cross in the centre of the cloyingly picturesque village of Alfriston, we followed the South Downs Way over the footridge across the river Cuck. Where the SDW met the road, we left it and continued ENE across fields on a footpath, rejoining the SDW (bridleway) near the next road crossing. From here we followed the SDW up over Windover Hill to Jevington.
Taking the road N through Jevington (a bit scary as no pavment or verge in places on this fast and twisty road), we opted not to stop at the Eight Bells. Shortly after avoiding the pub, we left the road to follow the Wealdway towards Folkington. The route from Jevington is a byway that leaves the road heading roughly NW to start with, and which actually runs all the way to Wilmington, if you fancy that...
Anyway, towards Folkington we were all getting peckish so we had lunch in the churchyard, which I liked, but I don't think anyone else did much. I think this place is worth another visit.
After lunch, we rejoined the byway towards Wilmington, passing through woodland. At the junction where the byway and the Wealdway part, we stayed on the latter (a bridleway), passing SW below the Long Man and then N to the road 1/4 mile away. We stayed on the Wealdway going N-ish along the road as far as the church. After admiring the lovely bee and butterfly window inside and the wonderful 1600-year-old yew tree, we took the footpath out of the back of the churchyard, heading W/SW over fields to Milton Street. We kept on in roughly the same direction, across fields and roads to reach the river at Long Bridge.
From Long Bridge, a 1/4 mile stroll downstream along the river embankment brought us back to the SDW at the footbridge by Alfriston. Here we retraced our steps back to the market cross and went for refreshments a the Smugglers' Inn.
No Photos this time - I was too busy yakking and looking at the scenery.