[Sussex] Getting out into the countryside

[Badger]

I've been developing a real longing to hike the whole South Downs Way. Alas, I'm over 3000 miles away.

My issue with Canada is the car dependence on getting to nature. When I lived in Sussex I could hop on the 12 to Cuckmere, train to Hastings for Fairlight and the Hastings Country Park, Cycle to - and along - the Adur. It was really very much more accessible than here.

Agreed. I basically have to spend an hour stuck in traffic around Toronto to get to anything approaching "countryside". I do try and do long bike rides out of the city in the summer though.

 

[thedonkeycentrehalf]

I'm lucky to live close to the seafront at Goring/Ferring so if I've been working at home, as soon as I finish I take a nice walk through the fields and then walk along the path towards Kingston Gorse.

 

[CheeseRolls]

Every corner of Sussex has fantastic walks. Komoot is the best app for routes and inspiration that I have used.

Trains also provide some great options. Chichester canal is accessible from the station and beautiful in the summer. Amberley and Arundel have great options and to the East Glynde, Berwick and many others have some great walks.

 

[BrightonCottager]

If you want to keep it really local and you wander around Preston Park anyway, then you can't beat the view from Hollingbury Hillfort!

View attachment 197713

Beat me to it

 

[Cotton Socks]

Stanmer is obviously lovely but atm, I'd avoid entering it from Ditchling Road & going down. They've spent 3 months cutting down trees and it is an absolute mud bath. The Great Wood, is no longer 'Great', there have been huge 'chunks' cut out of it. Ash Die Back apparently but I've seen them taking out Evergreens. It is unrecognisable. Anyone hoping to see any Bluebells is going to see them in one part only. Maybe 2 if they know where to go & can get through the mud.
The following 3 pics are of one of the main paths from the top of Coldean Lane carpark. It's a lot worse if you go off of the main path. These pics were taken 2-3 weeks ago after a bit of a dry spell & it was walkable in parts. I might be going there tomorrow so I'll report back but I can't see it being all smooth and nice to walk on.

 

[Superphil]

We live in the countryside, it’s not all it’s cracked up to be, you might as well stay in the city

 

[Professor Plum]

Birling Gap, Beachy Head, Cuckmere Haven, Seven Sisters for me. The South Downs Way has been on my to-do list for years. Now that I’ve fully retired it’s probably the time to do it at last.

 

[herecomesaregular]

Thanks for all feedback, loads of good suggestions for me to look into. Saw an excellent physio at Stanford surgery who's given me some exercises to strengthen my knees (doesn't think the fluid is much of a problem more that I have very bowed legs and weak knees). If I can get back to how I was I'll be delighted and will definitely be doing some of these routes.

 

[Machiavelli]

Stanmer is obviously lovely but atm, I'd avoid entering it from Ditchling Road & going down. They've spent 3 months cutting down trees and it is an absolute mud bath. The Great Wood, is no longer 'Great', there have been huge 'chunks' cut out of it. Ash Die Back apparently but I've seen them taking out Evergreens. It is unrecognisable. Anyone hoping to see any Bluebells is going to see them in one part only. Maybe 2 if they know where to go & can get through the mud.
The following 3 pics are of one of the main paths from the top of Coldean Lane carpark. It's a lot worse if you go off of the main path. These pics were taken 2-3 weeks ago after a bit of a dry spell & it was walkable in parts. I might be going there tomorrow so I'll report back but I can't see it being all smooth and nice to walk on.

View attachment 197735
View attachment 197736
View attachment 197737

Similar scenes have recently appeared in Hollingbury Woods on the walk up to the golf course

 

[Cotton Socks]

Similar scenes have recently appeared in Hollingbury Woods on the walk up to the golf course

Yeah I know, they've also done it to the woods on the other side of the golf course that lead to Wild Park down from the Dew pond.
My tree reference points have gone and new 'paths' have been created by machinery. I have a useless sense of direction & it's taken me two weeks to walk through them without wandering into bracken!
I haven't seen the buzzard that normally hangs around for a couple of weeks now (I think it's a buzzard as there are (were) a few diff birds of pray there). Hope he comes back as he amused me the way he'd sit in the trees & wind up the dogs!

 

[Marty McFly]

Agreed. I basically have to spend an hour stuck in traffic around Toronto to get to anything approaching "countryside". I do try and do long bike rides out of the city in the summer though.

Makes me long for my time in St. John's NL - world class wilderness hiking on the edge of the downtown core!

 

[seagull_special]

Moved to Herefordshire after 12 years in Abu Dhabi so quite a change of scene. Photography gets me out and about amongst nature and I have started running photography workshops with the local Wildlife Trust.

When in Brighton I love spending time at Greenridge, Westdene and always love the front especially on a wild and windy day. I would endorse the poster who recommended getting on a bus if you don’t drive.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

Join the National Trust.
They have endless amounts of green spaces, walks and historical houses to mull over.
You make your money back with about 3 visits.

@herecomesaregular doesn't drive, mate.

We are NT regulars at Ightham Mote, Emmet's gardens, Knole, Sheffield Park and so on.

But we have loads of places to walk round here near Fav. Miles more than I ever recall in Sussex.

Unfortunately my knee and back are preventing my enjoying a walk, presently.
Or a cycle. Painful.

Hopefully after the knee replacement (May or June) thinks may perk up a bit.

Best wishes

 

[grubbyhands]

I'm very fortunate that I can run for about five minutes and find myself up on the North Downs. The views from Newlands Corner, St Marthas Hill, and Pewley Down, across the Weald towards God's County are food for the soul. It is also easy to see London from Merrow Down, and sometimes you can see Wembley Stadium to the West of it.

Seems to me that you and I live fairly close to one another, love the North Downs me!

 

[queens park pete]

Yeah I know, they've also done it to the woods on the other side of the golf course that lead to Wild Park down from the Dew pond.
My tree reference points have gone and new 'paths' have been created by machinery. I have a useless sense of direction & it's taken me two weeks to walk through them without wandering into bracken!
I haven't seen the buzzard that normally hangs around for a couple of weeks now (I think it's a buzzard as there are (were) a few diff birds of pray there). Hope he comes back as he amused me the way he'd sit in the trees & wind up the dogs!

A t least a trio of red kites appear to have moved over to Waterfall/Stanmer. Some compensation for the grim ash dieback, it's like 1987 all over again. But Stanmer recovered from that and will do again!

 

[queens park pete]

@herecomesaregular doesn't drive, mate.

We are NT regulars at Ightham Mote, Emmet's gardens, Knole, Sheffield Park and so on.

But we have loads of places to walk round here near Fav. Miles more than I ever recall in Sussex.

Unfortunately my knee and back are preventing my enjoying a walk, presently.
Or a cycle. Painful.

Hopefully after the knee replacement (May or June) thinks may perk up a bit.

Best wishes

Where on earth did you live in Sussex? We have a National Park, at least two AONBs and more Right to Roam access land than anywhere in this side of country. And I can't be arsed to list all the NT places (Sheffield Park wunt be druv, by the way)!

Kent is (mainly*)lovely too, especially the trails along the Greensand Way, but my mate who has moved to Hove from Sevenoaks wishes he had moved years ago.

I don't drive either. I put on monthly walks with Brighton Ramblers to help people find out about how to get to nearly everywhere for a walk (except Midhurst) from Brighton by public transport. Shame as Midhurst is a superb area for prime Sussex walks

*Let's not mention Sheerness/Gillingham/Thanet/Reform Central.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

Where on earth did you live in Sussex? We have a National Park, at least two AONBs and more Right to Roam access land than anywhere in this side of country. And I can't be arsed to list all the NT places (Sheffield Park went be druv, by the way)!

Kent is (mainly*)lovely too, especially the trails along the Greensand Way, but my mate who has moved to Hove from Sevenoaks wishes he had moved years ago!

*Let's not mention Sheerness/Gillingham/Thanet/Reform Central.

1958 to 1981.

Perhaps dad lacked imagination on our weekend outings
When I left home I didn't drive.

So I admit to talking bollocks on this one very rare occasion

 

[queens park pete]

Where on earth did you live in Sussex? We have a National Park, at least two AONBs and more Right to Roam access land than anywhere in this side of country. And I can't be arsed to list all the NT places (Sheffield Park wunt be druv, by the way)!

Kent is (mainly*)lovely too, especially the trails along the Greensand Way, but my mate who has moved to Hove from Sevenoaks wishes he had moved years ago.

I don't drive either. I put on monthly walks with Brighton Ramblers to help people find out about how to get to nearly everywhere for a walk (except Midhurst) from Brighton by public transport. Shame as Midhurst is a superb area for prime Sussex walks

*Let's not mention Sheerness/Gillingham/Thanet/Reform Central.

Sorry to hear about your back. I have had a bit of that myself, and eventually, walking has been a big help (I know there's a time where even the slightest slope seems like a torture).
On the plus side, now Trump has shut down China and Canada's fentanyl exports, they will probably be dumping it all on us!

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

Sorry to hear about your back. I have had a bit of that myself, and eventually, walking has been a big help (I know there's a time where even the slightest slope seems like a torture).
On the plus side, now Trump has shut down China and Canada's fentanyl exports, they will probably be dumping it all on us!

Cheers. Dunno what's wrong with the back. I have arthritis in the spine, but the pain is muscular.

Anyway, to quote Peter Mandelson, I am not a quitter.
Bionic knee incoming, I will walk lively again.
Possibly even on water.

 

[LamieRobertson]

I see your still using your chick magnet

I’ve upgraded it now ….i’ll report back after its first run