POLEGATE RAMBLING CLUB
WALKS PROGRAMME – September to December 2025
Welcome to our walking programme. Before you go on a walk, you will need to book with the walk leader. Please contact the leader no sooner than 9.00 am. on the preceding Friday. Bookings made before that time will be ignored. This allows the leader to hold a record of all walkers and to limit the amount of walkers if necessary and to make changes accordingly. Booking is not required for the Leisure Walks.
All walks start from the Rec. at 9.30 am prompt unless otherwise stated. Car parking charge to be shared between car occupants. SVP – Suggested Voluntary payment – is payable to the driver by each passenger as it is a reasonable contribution to the fuel used. Leisure walkers please check bus timetables and remember to take your bus passes. Books of walks and maps are available to borrow from the Walks’ Secretary.
In order to keep to safe walking practices, we ask you to comply with the following advice:
- Please ensure you book on with the leader of the walk from 09:00 Friday preceding the walk, no bookings will be taken beforehand and any before Friday 09:00 will be discounted.
- Please inform the leader if you are booked on but cannot make the walk thereby freeing up a space for someone else on the waiting list.
- Please ask the leader if you are unsure of the start of the walk.
- If you have booked on to a walk and require transport from the recreation ground to the start of the walk it is advisable to arrange this beforehand as we cannot guarantee to organise lifts on the day, so you may be disappointed if you just turn up.
- Please check the website regularly for updates and for any guidance notes and please familiarise yourselves with them.
- Please assist those not on email and without internet access to print off and tell them about any changes.
Any questions please contact Mick on 07484 104460
It is suggested that if you are thinking of joining us for the first time on one of our walks you contact the leader for details. Feel free to come and walk with us for a few times before deciding if you wish to join.
LEISURELY walks – 2 to 3 miles, generally avoiding hills and poor surfaces, taken at a leisurely pace.
SHORT walks – approx. 5 miles at a moderately brisk pace and finishing around 12:30, includes a 15min stop at a grassy spot for a drink if you’ve brought one.
LONG walks – 8 to 11 miles at a moderately brisk pace, with a midday break for picnic/cafe/pub lunch and finishing mid-afternoon.
SATURDAY walks – 7 to 8 miles at a moderately brisk pace on the first Saturday of the month. Meeting is at the start of the walk for a 9.30 am. start. Bring refreshments for a coffee break but will back by lunchtime.
Pop Up Walks: Sometimes a member will organise a pop up walk in addition to our regular programme and usually on a different day. Recent pop up walks have taken place in Rye, London and along the 1066 Trail between Pevensey, Battle and Rye. These are advertised within our our usual programme and details are emailed to members.
December 2025
December 4th – Christmas Lunch (details to be advised).
December 11th
East Dean Circular 5 miles ? stiles
Walk from East Dean to Birling Gap
Vicky & Ozker 07701051155 SVP £1.50
It’s Beginning to look a Lot like Christmas 10.75 miles 2 stiles 2 steepish hills
A circular walk from Jaynes house (address will be given when booking) steep start to Butts Brow then across the Downs to East Dean returning to Jayne’s for mince pie and a cuppa. Please advise when booking if you would like refreshments.
Jayne 07775631499 SVP 0.75p
December 18th
Christmas Gathering at Blackbrooks miles – N/A.
Meet Polegate Xroads for 09:45, number 28 bus to Blackbrooks Garden Centre for refreshments.
Wendy McCullum 520015 or 07914431464
A Cricketer’s Walk 4.5 miles No stiles
Climb to the ridge above The Cricketers at Berwick and hope for good views of the sea, downs and countryside.
Jacky 07774263745 SVP £1.20
Saturday 27th December
Post Christmas Walk 5 miles ? stiles.
An easy walk beside the River Ouse and then up towards Telscombe Tye, dropping down to Telscombe Village and returning via Southease Church. A couple of slopes but not too strenuous. Refreshments will be available at Southease YHA on our return.
Meet at Polegate Rec at 9.15 am. for car sharing at 9.30 am, or at the car park at the rear of Southease YHA about 10.00 am.
Mick 07484104460 no later than Wednesday 24th December to book and please say where you will be meeting the group. SVP £3.60
January 2026
January 1st 2026 – Rescheduled Walk
Twas the Week before Christmas 10.5 miles No stiles 2 or 3 steepish hills.
LINEAR walk from YHA (East Dean Road) going west. Woods and downland with some hills, actual route will be determined on the day depending on weather and conditions. PLEASE REMEMBER YOUR BUS PASSES AS THIS IS A LINEAR WALK.
John and Teresa 07719437464 SVP £1.50
January 8th
Three Bottoms and a Dyke – 5 miles 3 stiles 3 steepish hills.
Hilly walk on the Downs starting at Castle Hill Car Park, Woodingdean, passing rich habitat of Castle Hill Nature Reserve. Long views.
Barbara O 07709998678 SVP £5.10
NO SCHEDULED LONG WALK
January 15th
Hailsham to Horsebridge – 2 miles Bus No 51 @ 10.43 Downland Medical Centre to South Car Park Hailsham. Walk Cukoo Trail to the Kings Head
Wendy 520015 or 07914431464
Toulouse-Lautrec’s older Brother – 5.3 miles 2 stiles 3 steepish hills.
East Dean to Birling Gap for coffee and comfort break (see title). Iconic views. Leader hard of hearing so please text.
Richard 07790184583 SVP £1.50
A Variety of Lewes Landmarks – 8 miles No stiles 1 short steepish hill (but very interesting)
A pleasant flat walk other than one short hilly street. From West Malling we follow the river through the town and onto the wetlands, out towards the Priory and Southover Grange then past the Castle to Offham and back. Car sharing essential as limited parking at the start.
Mick 07484104460 SVP £3.60
January 22nd
No scheduled short walk
Lots of Ups and Downs – 9.5 miles 6ish stiles 3 steepish hill
A circular walk around YHA, East Dean and Jevington. Some long ‘ups’ slippery in parts if wet. Good views on a good day.
Lindsey 07974930105 SVP £1.50
January 24th
SATURDAY WALK – details to be confirmed (see website)
January 29th
No Trains on this Line – 2 miles
Bus No.51 @ 09:29 Downland Medical Centre. Sandy Lane to Heathfield
Sue Taylor 07972579340
Longman x 2 – 5.5 miles 3 stiles 2 steepish hill
Wannock Village Hall to Folkington Church, below the Long Man and on to Wilmington and back. Downs views, art and an ancient Yew. Polegate Rec @ 09:30 or Wannock Village Hall @ 09:45
Sonia Munro 07790184583 SVP 30p
Shining Waters – 9 miles No stiles No steepish hills
Mostly road and tracks
Paul and Barbara 07812822879 SVP 90p
February 2026
February 5th
Might There be Cuckoos?
This linear (mud free) walk for leisure, short and long walkers will be along the Cuckoo Trail from Polegate to Heathfield. There are exit points at 4 miles (Hailsham), 5 miles (Horsebridge) and 9 miles (Horam) where the bus can be caught back to Polegate or simply turn round and walk back to Polegate when you have had enough! For those wishing to walk the whole 12 miles the reward will be tea and cakes at one of the many cafes in Heathfield before catching the return bus.
Gill 07963930941 SVP N/A
February 12th
Harbour to Splash Point. 1 mile.
Polegate station for No. 54 bus @09.34 to Cornfield Road, then change to Sovereign Harbour. Seafront stroll to Splash Point for refreshments.
Joy 487269 or 07835986485
Bloomsbury Walk – 6 miles No stiles
Circular Walk from Charleston Farmhouse to St. Michaels and All Angels Church Berwick visiting 4 farms
George O 07903 482093 SVP £2.10
High and Over – 9 miles No stiles 2 steepish hills.
Exact route will be weather dependant.
Doris and Gavin 07552763683 SVP £2.10
February 19th
Butts Brow Circular – 5 miles No stiles.
A pleasant walk to Butts Brow over the Downs. Please meet at junction of Sancroft Road and Cherry Garden Road.Leader at the start. Also Polegate Rec for car sharing if required
Brenda 07907678148 or 726165 SVP £1.50
Alfriston Amble – 10 miles No stiles 1 steepish hill. From Alfriston to Firle and back on the Old Coach Road with good views.
Lesley 07933237300 SVP £1.50
February 21st Saturday Walk: details to be confirmed (see website)
February 26th
Park to Hospice 2 miles –
Meet Polegate station for No. 52 bus @ 09:48 to DGH. Walk the cycle track to Hampden Park then to St Wilfrid’s Hospice.
Dolly 659879 or 07790750516
Circular Walk in the Horam Area – 5.25 miles 8 stiles
A fairly level walk from Horam, pastureland, woodland and skirt a vineyard.
Jacky 07774263745 SVP £2.70
Heathland Views over Downland to the Sea 9 miles 4 stiles 3 steepish hills.
From Wannock Hall to Jevington Church via Butts Lane and on to Lullington Heath returning via Wilmington Hill.3 significant climbs. Polegate Rec 9:30 Wannock Hall 09:40
Colin and Julia 07446458138 SVP 30p
March 2026
March 5th
Mystery Tour in Lewes 5 miles No stiles 1 short steep hill.
Paths, tracks, parks and a short steep cobbled hill (but very interesting). Car sharing essential as limited parking at the start
Judy 07802877514 SVP £3.60
Buckle Up! 9.5 miles
No stiles a few steepish hills. Downland and an abandoned village. Some road walking.
John and Theresa 07719437464 SVP £3.00
March 12th
Lewes 1.25 miles
No. 28 bus from Polegate X roads opposite St George’s Church to Lewes at 09:47. Walk to Priory Park to view remains before refreshments.
Joy 487269 or 07835986485
East Dean Circular in Reverse 5 miles ? stiles
East Dean to Birling Gap
Vicky and Ozker 07701051155 £1.50
Southease and Telscombe 10 miles No stiles a few steepish hills.
South Downs Way, Castle Hill Nature Reserve. Good views and optional café at the end.
John and Marion 07732971557 SVP £3.30
March 14th
Quiz Night 6pm to 9pm Alexander Arms Seaside Eastbourne to include buffet. More details to follow.
March 19th
Seaford Head Figure of 8 – 5 miles 2 stiles No steepish hills.
Walk from South Hill Barn (free parking)on a circular walk through the landscape which inspired Eric Slater. Some slopes but nothing too steep. Iconic views in all directions.
Claire, Donna, Philip 07719618657 (Claire) SVP £2.70
Around Bishopstone and Nortons 8 miles No stiles 1 steepish hill.
A pleasant walk from Seaford through paths, downland, tracks and a bird reserve.
Jan 07840955458 SVP £3.00
March 21st Saturday Walk – details to be confirmed (see website)
March 26th
Local Nature Walk 1.5 miles
Polegate Jubilee Nature Reserve. Meet outside St Wilfrids shop in High Street @ 10:00. Walk through Brightling Rec to Polly Arches. Ground uneven in reserve.
Sue Taylor 07972579340
Jevington to Littlington 5 miles No stiles 2 steepish hills.
Starting at Jevington Church we walk through Friston Forest to Littlington for coffee break at Cadence Café in the Long Man Brewery if required. Returning on the SDW.
Denise and Royce 07528957735 SVP £1.50
Nod to the Deans 9 miles ? stiles
Circular walk around Woodingdean, mostly fields and paths.
Jenny B 07594504828 SVP £5.10
30th March – AGM St Mary’s Upper Willingdon Church Hall 2:30pm
April 2026
April 2nd
Glynde Bottoms Walk 5.5 miles 1 stile 3 steepish hills
Starting from Glynde village steepish climb above Caburn and Oxendale Bottoms return via Glynde Holt. Stunning views towards Lewes and the coast.
Sue Chambers 07746759951 SVP £2.70
Another Guestling Mystery Walk 9ish miles ? stiles
A pleasant walk in the Guestling area across fields, paths and through woodland. Tea/coffee and cakes at ‘Patience Patisserie’ afterwards.
Patience 07764300287 SVP £6.00
April 9th
Seafront and Princes Park 2 miles N/A
Meet Polegate station for 09:34 bus number 54 bus to Eastbourne then 99 bus to Princes Park for walk and refreshments.
Wendy McCullum 520015 or 07914431464
Up on the Downs with the Long Man 5.5 miles 1 stile 2 steepish hills
Hilly walk with fantastic views out to sea, the Litlington White Horse and the Long Man. Steep hill at the start.
Barbara O 07709998678 SVP 60p
Wannock Alfriston Circular 10 miles 8 stiles 3 steepish hills
Fields and paths outwards to Alfriston, some urban paths returning over the Downs.
John and Esther 07579780999 SVP 30p
April 16th
Firle Beacon and the South Downs Way 4.5 miles no stiles
Undulating across the Downs from Firle Beacon with a steep rise at the end.
Jacky 07774263745 SVP £1.80
The Grapes of Wrath, Fini 10 miles 4 stiles 3 steepish hills
A downland ramble with a bit of road and track walking. Good views
John and Theresa 07719437464 SVP £2.85
April 18th Saturday Walk – details to be confirmed (see website)
April 23rd
Blooming Bluebells ? 2.75 miles
Meet Polegate Downlands Medical Centre for 09:29 number 51 bus to Hailsham roundabout. Bridle paths and Robin Post Lane to Light Bites for refreshments. Possibly muddy in woods..
Sue Taylor 07972579340
Chiddingly Circular 5.5 miles 10 stiles No steepish hills
Circular Walk from Chiddingly taking us through meadows and small woods. No steep inclines but lovely views. Refreshment available at 6 Bells in Chiddingly at the end for those in need.
Claire, Donna, Philip 07935651018 (Donna) SVP £2.40
White or Blue 11 miles 10 stiles No steepish hills
From Polegate Rec. with some pavement walking at star and finish, out to Upper Dicker via fields and woods.
Aled 07858070497 SVP N/A
April 30th To Be Confirmed 5 miles ?ish stiles???
Judy 07802877514 SVP TBC
Rambling in April 10 miles 2 stiles
A downland walk from YHA to Belle Toute, Birling Gap and East Dean return
Jayne 07775631499 SVP £1.50
