Welcome to Capital Walkers, the friendly London Ramblers group for people aged 40+. We walk every weekend and usually at least once during the week.
Join me to enjoy a circular walk in Sussex with a hill fort, stunning scenery and much more. We begin from Hassocks via a familiar and well travelled path, skirting Butcher's Wood before turning towards Clayton Wood. Walking through fields accompanied by butterflies and crickets, we reach the beech woodland which marks the beginning of our ascent of Wolstonbury Hill. The 360 degree views from the top make the steady climb of this Bronze Age Hill Fort more than worthwhile. The descent offers alternative views of the Clayton Hill windmills and at the bottom Pyecombe awaits as our lunch stop. There is a pub down the road from the village playground for drinks and toilets. Please bring a packed lunch.
From Pyecombe we join the South Downs Way for a time. Following an ice cream stop at Ditchling Beacon carpark we once again veer onto lesser known paths as we descend towards Ditchling. This path is steep in places, and may be slippery if wet. We amble through the picturesque village of Ditchling, home of Dame Vera Lynn, and Raymond Briggs, the creator of the iconic British Christmas adventure of a boy and a snowman. From Ditchling we venture along the course of a Roman Road before returning to Hassocks and our return journey home.
I cannot promise seeing snowmen, however on a clear day, spectacular and far reaching views which feature in the story are ours to savour as we gaze towards the coast. For those who wish to linger a little longer I can recommend The Hassocks Pub, adjacent to Hassocks Station.
No booking required.
There are toilets in Pyecombe and Hassocks.
The finish time is an estimate only and depends on the size and speed of the group and weather conditions on the day.
Travel:
Take the 09.59 train from London Blackfriars, (London Bridge 10.05, East Croyden 10.19) arriving in Hassocks at 11.02.
Return trains are every 30 minutes at 08 and 38 past the hour.
Alternatively there are trains from and returning to London Victoria. Take the 09.46, (Clapham Junction 09.53) arriving in Hassocks at 10.43am and returning to London Victoria every 30 minutes at 02 and 32 past the hour.
Hassocks Railway Station We shall meet in the car park just outside the station.
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