Walks Programme

POLEGATE  RAMBLING  CLUB

WALKS PROGRAMME  JANUARY TO APRIL 2024

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 Leisurely 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 follow strict social distancing arrangements including using face coverings where appropriate if car sharing and on the walk.
  • 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



January 2025

January 2nd

Hailsham to Horsebridge 2 miles
10:45 Bus 51 to Hailsham, Polegate Downlands Medical Centre. Walk from South Car Park Hailsham along Cuckoo Trail to Horsebridge Kings Head.

Wendy 520015

Chalvington Area 5.5 miles 5 stiles
Flat walk passing Eckington Corner on mostly hard paths and quiet roads. Coffee stop in Ripe (Village shop available)

Barbara 840622078 or 07709998678 SVP £2.25

No Long Walk Scheduled

January 9th

To the Feet and Back Revisited 5 miles 2 stiles
Start from Alfriston free car park with a slow climb, not steep, to the foot of the Long Man and return via one of Britain’s oldest Yew trees. Free parking near Alfriston School, (North Road) or free car park in the centre.

Gary 351553 or 07773382426 SVP £1.50

January Jaunt 10 miles 4 stiles SOME HILLS
From YHA towards Belle Toute, Birling Gap and East Dean

Jayne 07775631499 SVP £1.50

January 16th

Old Town Parks 1.5 miles
First bus after 09:33 at Polegate Station to Eastbourne then a Brighton bus (12) to Summerdown Rd for a walk through recreation ground, Motcombe Park and Gildredge Park

Joy 487269 or 07835986485

Bexhill – Hastings Linear Walk 5 miles No stiles No hills
A linear walk from Bexhill De La Warr Pavilion 10:45 along the seafront to Hastings then return by bus to either Eastbourne or where you parked. Payable parking is available on Bexhill seafront and surrounding roads. If travelling by bus suggest the 09:40 or 10:00 No.99 from stop C1 in Cornfield Rd. Eastbourne. Coffee will be at a stop on the way as well as at Hastings.

Brenda 07907678148 or 726165 SVP if travelling by car £3.90. Please note, you will need to arrange your lift accordingly as there is no specific start from Polegate Rec although you may meet up there if required.

Beachy Head Circular 10 miles 3 stiles 2 steepish hills
Classic winter walk with good views

Lesley 07933237300 SVP £1.50

January 23rd

Might there be Cukoos? 5, 9 or 12 miles No stiles
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 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.
*Bus fare will have increased to £3 for those without a bus pass.

Gill 07963930941 SVP N/A

January 30th

Stone Cross to Westham 2.5 miles
Downlands Medical Centre f or 10.06 No.6 bus to St Luke’s Church Stone Cross. Lane walk to Westham

Sue 482441 or 07972579340

Change to Programme – Lewes Walk. Walking to Lewes Priory. Not along by the marshes but along Juggs Road and returning by the same route avoiding mud on the whole. Good views and fairly free of mud as a lot of the walk is on cinder tracks. Park in The Street, Kingston Near Lewes by St Pancras Church BN7 3PB

Barbara 840622 or 07709998678

Circling some of Seaford 10 miles 2 stiles 2 steepish hills
Exact route around Seaford depends on the weather.

Doris and Gavin 07552763683 SVP £3.30

February 2025

February 6th     

Some Old, Some New   5.5 miles 4 stiles
Flat walk through meadows, lanes and footpaths around Selmeston and Berwick. Refreshments at the end (pub).

Judy 07802877514 SVP £2.00

Two Deans 9.5 miles No stiles
East Dean and Westdean, Mostly footpaths, some hills

John R 07732971557 SVP £1.50

February 13th

Hampden Park   2.5 miles
Polegate station 09:45 Bus No.51 to Hampden Park. Flat walk around park and lake then to St Wilfrids Hospice.

Maureen 483337

Change to Programme: Seaford and Tidemills. 5 miles No stiles
Judy will lead a walk in the Seaford/Tide Mills area. Please book on as normal and see you at Polegate Rec Thursday morning.

Judy 07802877514 SVP £3.00.

Folkington/Jevington Circular   10 miles 2 stiles
A circular walk starting at Polegate Rec through fields, Downs and forest.

Lindsey 07974930105 SVP N/A

February 20th    

Jevington Ramble
Circular walk from Wannock Village Hall to Jevington church for coffee and returning via Folkington. Mainly flat with short slope at the start and another after coffee out of Jevington. Tracks, fields and woodland.

Vicky and Ozker 07701051155  SVP N/A

A Winter Wander 10 miles 2 stiles, 3 steepish hills
Downland and forest paths and tracks; ups and downs. There may be cattle and ponies in some fields.

John and Theresa 07719437464 or 726685 SVP £1.50

February 27th

Lewes. 2  miles
Polegate Crossroads bus stop opposite St Georges Church for Brighton bus No. 28 at 09:44 to Lewes. Walk ends later than normal

Joy  487269§ or 07835986485

No Short Walk Scheduled

Tickle his Feet 9.miles 12 stiles
Walk from Polegate Rec to Folkington, Wilmington and up to the foot of the Long Man and back. 

Aled 07858070497 SVP N/A

March 2025

March 6th        

Spot that Cuckoo. 5 miles No stiles
Starting from Landport in Lewes we walk through a nature reserve and past the site of the Battle of Lewes. Then across the racecourse and head back down through woodland past Cuckoo Bottom via Lewes Prison.  No steep hills.

Alan Jones 07753610752 SVP £3.90.

Lullington Heath and the Long Man Circular   10 miles   5 stiles (some hills)
Wannock Village Hall then on the Downs and pass through Jevington to Lullington Heath for lunch and then to the top of the Long Man returning via a different route

Colin and Julia 07753610752 or 500664   SVP N/A

March 13th     

Sarah’s Social Day for All Groups – details to be advised.

March 20th   

Firle to Charleston  5 miles No stiles
Circular walk from Firle Village to Charleston Farmhouse returning via The Old Coach Road. (Parking is limited  so please car share where possible).

Claire, Donna, Philip 07941665683 SVP £2.40

Hamsey and Beyond   9ish miles   2 or 3 stiles (TBC)
Fairly flat walk that follows the Ouse to Hamsey Church and then to Barcombe, Cooksbridge returning via Offham. Footpaths, meadows, woodland and some quiet lanes.

Mick 07484104460    SVP £3.60

March 27th    

Princes Park   2.00 miles
Bus No.6 @ 10:05 Downland Medical Centre to Langney then a bus along Seaside. Circular walk around Park & lake to café.

Sue 482441 or 07972579340

Along the Wealdway to Upper Dicker     5.5 miles 5 stiles
Flattish walk from Arlington Reservoir to Upper Dicker returning via the reservoir itself. Coffee available at Upper Dicker Café/shop, also at Arlington Reservoir café at the end.

Barbara 840622078 or 07709998678    SVP £1.50

Bo Peep Circular   10.50  miles 2 stiles
Walk across the Downs from Bo Peep towards Bishopstone on towards Denton and Newhaven with lovely views. Return to Bo Peep via Firle Beacon with more views over the sea and the Weald. Gradual slopes.

Alan 500664 or 07753610752   SVP £2.10

April 2025

April 3rd      

No Short Walk Scheduled

Alfriston/Jevington Circular   10 miles  10 stiles 4 steepish hills
Circular from Alfriston on established paths, park near school, North Road

John and Esther 07579780999 SVP £1.50

April 10th    

Michelham Priory  2 miles
Meet Downland Medical Centre for Cuckmere bus No. 48 @ 10:01 to Michelham Priory. Bus returns @ 13:54. Entrance fee £6 based on 2024 info.

Joy 487269 or 07835986485

Across the Tracks to Selmeston   5 miles  15 stiles
From Ripe Village (get your nibbles at the Store) cross the railway tracks at Langtye Farm to a coffee stop at Selmeston Church, cross the tracks again to join the Vanguard Way to Ripe and Chalvington. Mainly flat walk with good views of the lovely South Downs.

Denise and Royce 07528957735 £1.50

High and Over to the Head 10.5 miles No stiles 2 steepish hills
Downland forest and river walk. Some road walking

John and Theresa 07719437464 or 726685 SVP £2.10 

April 17th    

Up On The Downs   5.5 miles No stiles
Hilly walk from Folkington with fantastic views of the sea, the Litlington White Horse and the Long Man, Polegate Rec at 09:30

Margaret 840622 or 07709998678  SVP 60p

Buckle Up  8 miles No stiles no steep hills
Seaford circular in reverse to Tide Mills, Denton, Nortons and Bishopstone.

Jan 07840955458

April 24th    

Blooming Bluebells 2.75  miles
Downlands Medical Centre @ 09:45  for  bus  51 to Hailsham Roundabout. Robin Post Lane & Bridlepaths skirting Abbotts Wood. Light Bites for refreshments. Maybe muddy

Sue 482441 or 07972579340

Bedes to Toute and Back 5 miles No stiles
From Bedes School across Downland to Belle Toute and return via Cornish Farm

Gary 351553 or 07773382426  SVP £1.50

Trains, Boats and Planes   9.5 miles 2 stiles
Ardingly reservoir, fields, paths and roads

Paul and Barbara 07812822879  SVP £6.00