We were on a visit to Uckfield, however the sun was shining with blue skies so
we chose to stop off on the way to complete another piece of the South Downs
Way. Starting at Alfriston and walking up to Bostal hill then coming back
around the ridge to the south and up the river. Parking in the "free for 3
hours" car park as opposed to the pay by the hour one, it would be tight but
we should make it.
Leaving the van and heading for the main road through the village - the SDW
crosses somewhere in the maze of narrow streets. We found a sign and cut up
between the houses, heading in the right direction.
Once off the old part of the village, things opened out a little and we walked
through the outskirts and continued up a track at the end of the road.
As the track climbed it gradually opened out, steeply at first then eased up
Looking back and over towards the Long Man (hiding behind the fold on the
ridge). Onwards the ridge rolled over several humps.
Continuing to climb gradually up to the top of Bostal Hill.
The views from the tumuli on the top of the hill - complete 360 degree views,
first to north, then south to the sea.
Dropping down to the car park above Alciston, before turning towards the coast
along a farm track
Dropping gradually and going around in a lazy curving track, first in fields
then on a gorse and briar lined track.
The track continued around the curve, on the top of a steep slope, almost in a
full semi circle. Beside a golf course, hidden by the hedge
The track turned south as we continued through a sheep field, heading for the
car park on High and Over. A brief stop for a snack looking down into the valley
we had circled around.
We dropped down beside the road, before crossing and descending to the river
down a grassy spur. Then following the path on the western side of the river.
I kept to the western side as we passed Litington, however it proved very muddy in places, and it would have been better to cross over and use the better path on the other bank.
Crossing over to the road, going up the main street (very narrow) back to the main square, and thence to the car park ... we were one minute beyond the three hours.
Time for lunch so we drove up the road to the car park at High and Over , negotiating the single track main street.
