Three of the Best South Downs Way Walks from The Grain Store Lewes
The South Downs Way is a walking paradise offering a rich network of hiking trails, bridle paths and walkways all crisscrossing the stunning South Downs National Park, East Sussex.
One of the many great pleasures of staying at The Grain Store Lewes is being able to walk up the bridleway from the main gates and directly onto the South Downs Way. This beautiful 100-mile-long historic nature trail runs all the way from Winchester, Hampshire, to Eastbourne, East Sussex. Picture rolling hills baked in sunlight; quaint English villages steeped in history; abundant wildlife and flora; and scenes of the sea all along the way.
With so many options, choosing which path to take can feel like an uphill struggle. To help you plan the ideal itinerary, Anni Townend Owner and Creator of The Grain Store Lewes shares her three favourite walks - all of which can be started directly from The Grain Store.
For more routes and recommendations see our blog: Day hikes and micro-adventures on the South Downs Way
Walk One: To the top of the Downs and back again (1 hr 30 mins)
Where to start: For a relatively short and lively walk, I recommend heading out of the barn gates, turn left and head up the bridleway. You’ll see the rolling fields on your left. Keep walking straight up the path, through a gate and onto grazing land. On your right, you’ll see Newmarket Copse, a small wood which can be entered through a gate once you have gone into the next field. I suggest this only if you fancy a detour and enjoy following woodland paths. Otherwise, keep walking along the path that runs up to the top of the Downs. After going through the gate at the top you will see the sea in the distance on a clear day.
What to expect: From this topmost point, it is possible to enjoy a glorious 360 vista of the Downs. You can see Brighton in one direction and Newhaven in the other, with views stretching out and all around the Downs around Lewes. You might even be able to spot the AMEX stadium, home to Brighton and Hove Albion, as well as Falmer and the University of Sussex.
Best time of day to start: This is such a brilliant walk to do at any time of day. However, I particularly love early morning as the sun is coming up over the Downs, casting wonderful shadows and making amazing shapes that highlight the rolling nature of the Downs and the wonderful geography of the slopes. Equally late afternoon and early evening is a lovely time. The shadows cast by the setting sun and silhouettes of the trees stretching out over the Downs are a joy. The sunsets can also be spectacular, throwing up beautiful colours into the deepening sky.
Walk Two: Castle Hill Nature Reserve (approx 2 hrs)
Where to start: Follow ‘Walk One’ to the top of the Downs and then with the sea in front of you in the distance, turn right towards Woodingdean and Brighton along Jugg’s Road. Very quickly you will come upon Castle Hill Nature Reserve on your left. This is a wonderful area of natural Down land through which it is possible to do a circular walk and a great place to enjoy a picnic.
What to expect: The map at the entrance gate gives you a number of options depending on how far you want to walk. If you decide to walk straight down, follow the path and then go through the gate at the very bottom. From there, follow the path around the edge of the farming field. You will come to a disused barn and further on you’ll pass the abandoned village of Balsdean.
From the barn, there is a circular walk around to the right which brings you back up and around to where you entered Castle Hill Nature Reserve. You can then head back down the hill towards The Grain Store.
Walk Three: Top of the Downs to Southease or Kingston Village (2 hrs and 30 mins or more depending on your route)
Where to start: This also incorporates the start of ‘Walk One’ to the vista at the top of the Downs. From the peak with the sea in front of you, turn left through the gate and enjoy the walk along the height of the Downs. The steep slopes will be on your left and grazing pasture on your right, which is home to cattle or sheep, at different times of the year.
What to expect: The South Downs Way takes you past dew ponds on your right and then through a gate all the way to Southease. From Southease you can catch the train back to Lewes where you can jump on the number 28 or 29 bus all the way home to The Grain Store (asking to be dropped off at The Newmarket Inn). Alternatively (if you are feeling particularly robust), from Southease you can walk along the River Ouse into Lewes where you can then catch the 28 or 29 bus back to The Grain Store.
Another option from the dew ponds is to head straight down the steep slope and into Kingston village. Depending on the time of day, enjoy a welcome break with a meal or drink at the Jugg’s Inn before continuing the walk into Lewes. Again you can catch the 28 or 29 bus (asking to be dropped off at The Newmarket Inn). If you’d prefer to walk, you can also return the way you came, braced for the steep incline back up to the top of the Downs and then head downhill to The Grain Store for a well-earned rest.
Happy walking on the South Downs Way, Anni
Plan your active holiday or walking weekend at The Grain Store Lewes
If you’d like more information about any of these walks, alternative routes or other things to do, you can contact our team who would be happy to provide advice and recommendations. You can also find lots of ideas on the ‘things to do’ section of the website.
You can also find more hiking itineraries in our blog Day hikes and micro-adventures on the South Downs Way.
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