Although Brighton is a busy bustling city this walk shows how easy it is to take time out. The walk goes through a Nature Reserve and Downland paths only twice crossing busy roads and a short walk down a suburban street. The rest is “country”! There are some flat stretches but be prepared for the typical ups and downs of the Downs. It can be reached by car or public transport. There is a suggestion about an alternative point when joining by bus and there is also a shorter route for people with less time.
[1] Walk from the cafe, past the car park towards the hill ahead of you. The route swings to the left by a sign saying Sheepcote Valley. It starts to ascend towards the Race Course, ignore any paths to the right or left. As you follow the wide grassy track up the hill consider - much of what you see lower down to the left was, until relatively recently, a landfill site. Over the years the Park Rangers are turning what was a waste land into a very exciting area of biodiversity. At certain times of year parts may be fenced off and sheep are grazing. This is a strategy to manage lowland chalk grassland to encourage the flora and fauna specific to the downland to flourish once more. www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/sites/brighton-hove.gov.uk/ On reaching the top of the ascent have a look behind you at the view. Then turn right to cross the race course towards the road, then immediately left beside the metal bridle gate. Carefully cross the road and turn left.
[2] The bus stops here (Downland Road) are served by buses 2, 2A & 22 and you could start the walk here. Walk along the pavement on the north side of the road, cross Downland Road towards a rather untidy fenced area and narrow path, ignore all paths to the left. Instead follow the path round to the right and turn right onto a track. At a fork keep right. You walk behind houses with paddocks on the left. You are now on an old Drove Road which connects with Juggs Lane, the traditional drover’s road from Lewes. On this stretch of the route there are good views towards the South Downs and housing on the other side of the valley. The route eventually opens out as the houses on the right become further away and an arable field on the right. There is a path to the right at the start of this field but keep straight on here. Continue in the same direction and ahead is the busy Falmer Road. After crossing a concrete track to Bevendean Farm look out for a short foot path on the right in about 200 metres. (There is no signpost here but there is a larger than average size wooden fence post on the left and (in 2013) two small hay bales.) This leads to the end of a cul de sac road. This field is regularly cropped and the path is usually quite clear, probably maintained by local dog walkers! Walk ahead down Vernon Avenue to reach a main road. Carefully cross Warren Road.
[3] Opposite is a school and community facility. Turn left and, at the end of the school grounds, see a smal road to the school entrance. left. There is a bridleway sign here. Follow the bridleway by the side of a fence beside a school and a couple of houses. Shortly this turns into a much narrower path which runs along a ridge high above a road. On the left is the popular conurbation of Woodingdean, to the right an expanse of fields and access land. Continue above Happy Valley until reaching a bridle gate on the right. Through the gate and turn right and follow the path through access land, through another bridle gate to the valley and turn left where another bridleway intersects. At the next intersection keep left unless wishing to shorten the walk and link with it at point 5
[4] Pass a farm and join the road through the village of Ovingdean to reach (A) the parish church of St Wulfrans, built in the 11th Century. http://www.stwulfrans.org.uk Just before the entrance into the church yard there is a stile built into the wall. Cross the stile and walk up the hill at the side of the flint wall to reach another stile and enter access land beyond the church yard. This section can be very muddy. Continue straight up the hill and shortly there are views of the sea and the roof of Roedean School, where many Asians, particularly Chinese, send their daughters to have a British Education. On reaching a fence and a choice of paths go straight ahead across the stile and follow the fence line eventually down hill to reach a stile. Turn right here. Walk north to the end of the fence line, where there is a gate. There is also a track coming in from your right. This is point 5. Turn left here on a track leading up hill to the golf course.
To follow the alternative route turn right at point 4 and come immediately to a junction. Take the left fork and walk up hill. You will see a gate on your left. Here you are at point 5 and back on the main route. Walk straight ahead along a track up hill to the edge of East Brighton Golf course.
[5] Walk up the hill taking care as you cross the East Brighton Golf Course. Follow the slightly descending path, which is beside some gallops which can be used up to 11:00 a.m. At the time of writing they are looking overgrown and neglected. At the end of the gallops there is a sign saying when they are used and a track turns sharply right Take this. The path turns sharply back and steeply down hill. At a junction bear left. Then look out for a picnic table on your left. Turn left here past the table to join the path you started on. Turn left to return to the start point.