Summary

Walk along the cliffs and promenade in Peacehaven, explore the Downs from Telscombe Cliffs and get a different view from travelling along the A259. Accessible by bus from various points or car.
Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
6.0 miles (9.6 km)
Walking time:
03h 30m
Type:
Circular

Start location

Steyning Ave, Peacehaven BN10 8NS

lat: 50.7888554

lon: 0.0007574

Map

Elevation

Route

1 of 0

Getting there

Steyning Avenue is on the coastal side of the road between Newhaven & Brighton (A259). 

Bus route 12 from Brighton & Hove- alight at Highview Road.
 

Waypoints

1

Starting in the car park walk west towards the Greenwich Meridian Monument and the start of the Greenwich Meridian Trail (GMT). Continue west along the cliff top, through two small green parks until the GMT makes a sharp turn to the right at a wire fence. Follow the path up the side of the Smugglers Rest to the main road and cross and go through the gate into the field. By bus to Bramber Avenue. Walk down Steyning Avenue and the car park is ahead of you.

2

Follow the fence all the way up the hill until it makes a right angled turn and then keeping the fence on your right follow the path down hill through two bridle gates and into a copse. Walk through the copse to a clearing and sports ground. Turn left up a slope through trees to a concrete road. Turn right along the road and follow it until it emerges on to Telscombe Road.

3

Bear left past a bus stop, cross the road and turn right into Downs Walk West, and immediately left into Tor Road then left and right into Oval Park. Walk down hill and out of the park through the next gate, along a Close and left into Glynn Road. Walk along the length of this suburban road to a T-junction with Pelham Rise. Cross the road into Lower Hoddern Farm, past a number of light industrial buildings including an MOT Centre. Follow the farm road which bears round to the right and passes Farm House. Continue to a way mark at a junction where you turn right. At the next way mark turn left. When the path begins to steepen down towards a valley go through the hedge and turn sharp right. Follow the path down hill and as it goes up bear left in front of a house and go past further houses until when the path starts to rise again go off to the right on a small track and emerge into a cul de sac. At the end turn left into Downland Avenue and then take the second left into Ashington Gardens. At the top of the road go left along a pedestrian paved path and follow round to the A259 coastal road.

4

Carefully cross this busy road at the central refuge. Turn left then immediately right to the side of a yellow security gate. A concrete path leads to the cliffs and a look out before the walk heads west back along the cliff top to the start. An alternative lower level route is, at the lookout, to descend Cheyne Steps, all 185 of them for a very pleasant walk on the promenade below back to the start of the walk at the top of Bastion Steps (151 steps). I have had two great walks at the lower level when the weather has felt very challenging along the cliffs. This must be a personal choice and depends on the risk assessment on the day and the abilities of individuals. If the tide is very high and the wind is strong it may not be advisable to go down on to the Promenade because of the strength of the waves coming over the sea wall.

Problem with this route?

If you encounter a problem on this walk, please let us know by emailing volunteersupport@ramblers.zendesk.com. If the issue is with a public path or access please also contact the local highways authority directly, or find out more about solving problems on public paths on our website.

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Sharing

Join the Ramblers and enjoy

  • unlimited free access to 50,000 Ramblers group walks
  • a library jam-packed with thousands of tried-and-tested routes
  • a welcome pack teeming with top tips plus our quarterly Walk magazine
  • exclusive discounts from our partners
  • knowing your support is opening up more places to walk and helping more people discover the joy of walking