South Downs: Burgess Hill to Lewes
Sunday 26th July 2020
Went for a Sunday afternoon stroll in the South Downs, from Burgess Hill, via Ditchling, up Ditchling Beacon, and then along the ridge to Lewes. Dinner at the Lewes Arms which had recently reopened.
London July 2020
John's Pictures

10:46:53
Passing through Blackfriars - looked a bit overcast here, but the weather was much nicer by the time I got down to the downs.

10:52:50
A little boat on the Thames.

11:00:23

12:41:03
After leaving Burgess Hill station the first bit of my walk was along a road, which wasn't particularly nice.

12:48:27
However after a while I was able to turn off the road, onto a bridleway, and it was all very pleasant from there on.

12:50:57

12:52:08
The bridleway was a nice shady tree lined track.

12:57:01

12:58:26
Near where I turned off the bridleway was a windmill, unfortunately I couldn't get a very good view of it.

12:58:30

12:59:13
First glimpse of the downs on today's walk.

12:59:40

13:00:39
This vineyard is Court Garden.

13:01:26

13:03:15
Nice cottage here - presumably part of Court Garden Farm - with a plum tree.

13:03:20
Close up on the plumns.

13:08:05
The stile/bridge at the end of the field.

13:08:35
Signs for Court Garden.

13:08:53
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13:14:16
Passing through Ditchling now.

13:14:31
Free turf!

13:17:07

13:17:25
Black Dog Hill's tasting rooms. Unfortunately closed today.

13:17:40

13:17:56

13:19:52
Ditchling would be so much prettier if it weren't for the constant stream of cars!

13:20:04

13:22:10
Nice old sign pointing out of Ditchling towards the downs.

13:23:58
The path leading out of Ditchling, with a bit of my finger in the way.

13:24:51
Heading toward the downs.

13:30:44
Shady track I had walked along before - this passes by Plumpton College's Ditchling vineyard.

13:34:06

13:36:57
Plumpton College's vineyard.

13:42:17
Crossing over Underhill Lane.

13:43:46
The newly planted vineyard at Wick Farm, which is an extension to Black Dog Hill.

13:43:52

13:45:12
The chalky path leading up the hill.

13:47:22
Nice view here back down over Black Dog Hill's new vineyard.

13:49:49
Further up the hill.

13:53:30
What's the flower?

13:53:42
Not sure it's obvious from the photo but this path up to Ditchling Beacon was rather steep and quite hard work!

13:54:33
Lovely views from about two thirds of the way up though.

13:54:38

13:56:56
A wooded bit just before the top.

13:58:29
...and this is pretty much the top now. Spectacular views from here.

13:59:50

14:00:53

14:00:56

14:02:15
I particularly liked this one with the bare tree in the foreground, and the way the land undulates here.

14:03:06
Back on the South Downs Way.

14:04:17
I rewarded myself for the climb up to Ditchling Beacon with an iced coffee.

14:24:51
Enjoying the views a bit more.

14:27:01
Butterfly.

14:27:06

15:32:37
After a long chat on the phone with Dad near Ditchling Beacon, I continued my walk along towards Lewes. I think this is looking back to Ditchling Beacon.

15:42:57

15:45:59
A trough with a view.

15:46:57
Further along the South Downs Way.

15:48:04
Plumpton College down below there.

15:53:41

15:55:36
Another one of those grainy photos.

16:05:00
At this juncture I bade farewell to the South Downs Way once again, it swings off to the south here, but I was headed east to Lewes.

16:05:18
Blackcap.

16:09:15

16:10:31
The other spur of the downs over there.

16:15:00

16:43:06
The track leading to Lewes.

16:47:28

16:47:32
Nice view of the windmill at Kingston from here.

16:55:31
In Lewes now, oddly took this picture of some free DVDs being given away.

17:03:06
Lewes Castle.

17:12:52
Finally the Lewes Arms - delighted to see it had reopened once again.

17:17:27
A spectacular triumphant pint of Harveys at the Lewes Arms.

17:30:16
Having not really eaten lunch, I took the offer of a table next to this open window in their airy but nearly deserted dining room.

17:36:49
The menu.

17:37:56
An insect which landed on my trousers.

18:00:59
Andrew, who had also been on a walk along the downs, was meeting me here, but owing to a slight miscalculation his food arrived rather before he did.

18:01:38
My roast meal, which I decided to just tuck in and eat before it went cold.

19:07:39
Andrew eventually arrived some time around 6:30. They managed to warm up his food.

20:07:49
Getting the train back to London from Lewes. I decided to try out a snood as a face covering instead as it was a bit more comfortable.

21:51:18
Passing through Blackfriars.

22:20:34
Back near home, I saw a fox on a garden well, but the photo really didn't come out.