Eastbourne & South Downs Bank Holiday Walking & Social Weekend
Overview
Update as at 13/8/19: Just 1 male twin share left
Here is the long awaited return to Eastbourne and the South Downs for a walking and social weekend with Steve Dell and Arlene.
This part of the South Downs has some stunning scenery as not only do you get the dramatic rolling hillsides with “views for miles” but a lot of it is coastal, adding to the beauty and drama of it.
The walks planned will have such a variety of scenery including the must see Seven Sisters white cliffs and Country Park, Beachy Head, the picturesque Cuckmere Haven, pretty villages such as East Dean and Litlington (in the Cuckmere Valley), Friston Forest and we can even see a white hill figure with the famous “Long Man” hill figure.
This weekend will appeal to both social walkers who want shorter walks and more serious walkers who want longer ones as on one of the days there will be the option of a longer or shorter walk. The walks are easy to moderate, as some will have more gradients than usual with Steve, which gives the area its wonderful scenery, but we will take our time and admire the stunning scenery.
Eastbourne is a lovely Victorian seaside town with a vast sea front and lovely pier. We are very close to Beachy Head (in fact you can see Beachy Head from our hotel).
There is also plenty to do for non walkers or if you want to mix & match walking with social / tourist stuff. Brighton and Hastings are a short drive or bus journey away. Sovereign Harbour Marina is at the other end of Eastbourne and there are theatres and museums to discover.
We stay at the Best Western Lansdowne Hotel which is on the seafront overlooking the Western Lawns and Wish Tower and is of a high standard.
There is also the added bonus of a social programme for that après walking! The package includes three nights’ dinner, bed, breakfast and packed lunches.
The weekend is achievable without using your car as two of the walks are accessed using public transport (you could car share or a short taxi ride for the third) and Eastbourne can be reached by train or coach.
Includes
- Three nights dinner, bed and breakfast
- Guided walks each day
- Packed lunches on the Saturday and Sunday
- Social activities in the evening
Extras
Travel to the walks using public transport or own cars
Location & Itinerary
The walking programme: This is designed to be flexible to accommodate the groups’ requirements. There will be the choice of a shorter and a longer walk on some days.
The Seven Sisters, Cuckmere Haven and Friston Forest: This figure of eight walk starting from the Seven Sisters Country Park has so much variety; a riverside valley floors, great coastal views from the famous seven sisters white cliffs, pretty forest paths and part of The South Downs Way. The afternoon walk will include the lovely village of Litlington (in the Cuckmere Valley), and a white horse hillside figure. The morning walk will be about 6½ miles with a further 4 miles in the afternoon
Beachy Head: We walk from the hotel today, starting by following the South Downs Way as we head to the top of Beachy Head. After admiring the stunning views we continue along the coastal path to Birling Gap with its great views of the white cliffs (and Café). You can get the bus back from here (making it a 5 mile walk), or continue along the remaining 3 of the 7 sisters to the lovely village of East Dean with its pretty church and pub! (making it an 8 mile walk). After stopping to replace lost fluids we catch the bus back to Eastbourne.
Wilmington, Alfriston and “The Long Man” – The last days walking will be inland and will take in The Long Man of Wilmington – the famous chalk figure cut in the hillside, is described as “the mysterious guardian of the South Downs” and has baffled archaeologists and historians for hundreds of years. In addition to the sweeping South Down views the walk also visits two more lovely villages Wilmington & Alfriston. The walk will be around 6 miles.
Breakfast and dinner will be at the hotel with a packed lunch on the Saturday and Sunday
Travel & Stay
We stay at the Best Western Lansdowne Hotel which is on the seafront overlooking the Western Lawns and Wish Tower.
| Type | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Member Double share | £259.00 | Sold Out |
| Member twin share | £259.00 | Sold Out |
| Member single room | £289.00 | Sold Out |
| Member double for sole occupancy | £309.00 | Sold Out |
| Male Twin Share | £259.00 | Sold Out |
| Guest twin share | £279.00 | Sold Out |
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Host & Everything Else
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