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
Dates for Your Diary
5th December: Christmas Lunch.
This will be at the Smugglers pub in Pevensey Village for 12.30 pm. More details, including booking arrangements to be sent to members shortly.
September 2024
September 5th
Walk on the Wildside of Herstmonceux 5 miles and a few stiles.
Circular, pretty walk through fields and woodland. Polegate Rec 09:30
Barbara O. 07709998678
Alfriston and Beyond 10 miles 3 stiles.
Starting with an ascent, proceeding on to paths. Polegate Rec 09:30
Doris and Gavin 07552763683 or 723541 SVP £1.50
September 12th
Malling to Ringmer 2.5 miles 1 steepish hill
09:45 Bus 28 Polegate Xroads (opposite Church) to Malling. Nature Trail cycle track to Ringmer. Short incline at the start, track rough in places, then easy walk to village for refreshments.
Sue 07972579340 or 482441
Alfriston Circular 5 miles 2 stiles.
From Alfriston, steepish ascent up to South Downs Way, then back down to Berwick and Alfriston. Polegate Rec 09:30
Olive 07896851797 SVP £1.80
Kemptown Races 10 miles No stiles.
Over the hills to Kemptown and back via the Marina Polegate Rec 09:30
John/Theresa 07719437464 SVP £6.00
September 19th
To the Long Man of Wilmington 5.5 miles No stiles.
A circular walk from Alfriston, gradual ascent to Lullington Heath and Winchester Pond with views across the Weald. On to the Long Man and back to Alfriston. Free parking near Alfriston School, (North Road) or free car park in the centre.
Philip, Claire and Donna 07941665683 SVP £1.50
Chiddingly/East Hoathly Circular 11miles 12 stiles
A flat walk through woods and fields and along tracks with mud! Starting at car park at Chiddingly church. Polegate Rec 09:30
Gill 07963930941 SVP £2.25
September 26th
Seafront and Princes Park 2.00ish miles
09:33 Bus 54 at Polegate Station to Eastbourne for a 99 bus to Princes Park for a walk and refreshments
Wendy 520015 or 07914431464
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. Polegate Rec 09:30
Denise and Royce 07528957735 £1.50
A No Car Travel Walk 8.5miles NB Change to programme
Mick is standing in for Jayne. Start at Polegate Rec and continue to Wannock. Folkington, Milton Street, Wiilmington and return via Folkington. Its one we have done before but with no time to recce another its a nice walk. Book with Jayne and she will pass details to Mick. If you want to join us at Wannock Old Mill Lane please let Jayne know, if not see you at the Rec as normal.
Jayne 07775631488
October 2024
October 3rd
Cowbeech Circular 5.5 miles 6 stiles
Undulating walk through orchards, woods and hamlets. Polegate Rec at 09:30
Barbaro O 07709998678 or 840622 SVP £2.70
Seven Sisters 9 miles 3 stiles, 7 steep hills
Seven Sisters to Cuckmere and back through the forest. Parking charges but free to National Trust car park members Polegate Rec 09:30.
Aled 07858070497 SVP £1.80
October 5th
ANOTHER RYE WALK 10 miles
Leaders: John and Marion. To book text 07732 971557
Starting from Rye Railway Station at 11.00 am we walk through the town to go north along the River Rother to Iden Lock for coffee. Then on through Iden to Peasmarsh for our snack lunch. Afterwards our route back is along the High Weald Landscape Trail. An unavoidable stretch of road walking in the morning, otherwise mostly good footpaths. Some undulations and few stiles. Meet Eastbourne Railway Station at 9.30 am to catch the 9.50 train. Return fare is £14.50 or with Senior Rail card or as part of a group of three or more £9.60. Return from Rye is expected to be the 4.48 pm train arriving at 5.45 pm. If travelling from/to a different station check times and changes.
October 10th
Chalk Farm and Nursery 1.5 miles
Meet Polegate station for No 6 bus at 09:54 to Glen Close Wannock. Easy walk along the foot of the Downs. Refreshments at the end.
Maureen 483337
Late Change to Programme – Around Seaford Head. 5 miles
Some inclines but we are not marching up Seaford Head! Polegate Rec at 09:30
Sonia 07790184583 SVP £3.00
In the Footsteps of Edith Bitton 10ish miles 8ish stiles
Revisiting footpaths trodden by the Polegate Ramblers back in the 80’s. North of Bexhill, fairly flat along low lying field paths and tracks through Combe Valley Nature Reserve. Polegate Rec 09:30
Lindsey 07974930105 SVP £4.20
October 17th
The Eric Slater Trail – Seaford Head 4.5 miles 2 stiles
From South Hill barn (free parking) a figure of eight walk through landscape which inspired Eric Slater. Some slopes but no steep hills with iconic views in all directions. Polegate Rec. 09:30
Donna, Claire and Philip 07935651018 SVP £3.00
A Downland and Forest Ramble 10 miles 2 stiles,
Three steepish hills Butts Brow to Jevington into Friston Forest circular route back. Polegate Rec at 09:30.
Sarah 07523211246 SVP 50p
October 24th
Local Nature Walk 2.25 miles
Polly Arches new Woodland Par and Recreation Ground then back to High St. for refreshments. Some rough ground in the woods. Meet Downland Medical Centre 10:00
Sue 482441 or 07972579340
Firle to Beddingham Circular 5 miles 2 stiles
Walk through Firle Place Estate and then along tracks and paths returning through Firle village. fairly flat walk with no hills.. Please car share where possible to minimise parking requirements on the old A27 road. Polegate Rec 09.30
Judy 07802877514
White Horse Circular 10.5 miles 4 stiles, 2 steep hills + 111 steps.
Scenic walk from Alfriston up to Long Man, Winchester Pond through Friston Forest and West Dene, then 111 steps before lunch and return via the Cuckmere. Polegate Rec 09:30.
Lesley 07933237300 SVP £1.50
October 31st
Laughton Circular 5.0 miles 2 stiles
Footpaths, ponds, woods, tracks and fields. Fairly flat. Parking on lay-by at Wok Inn, The Broyle, Leighton BN8 6PH. Please car share where possible to allow customers to park at the restaurant. Polegate Rec at 09:30
Barbara Olivier 07709998687 or 840622 SVP £3.30
Castle Hill Nature Reserve Woodingdean 9.75 miles No stiles, No roads, 2 hills.
Good downland paths with glorious views. Polegate Rec 09:30.
John and Marion 07732971557 SVP £5.10
November 2024
November 7th
Bandstand to Holywell 1.25 miles
First bus after 09:33 from Polegate Station to Cornfield Rd. Walk to Bandstand for seafront stroll to Holywell for refreshments before return.
Joy 487269§ or 07835986485
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. Polegate Rec at 09:30
Gary 351553 or 07773382426 SVP £1.50
Change to Programme – East Dean Circular.
Starting from East Dean car park at 9.45 am, we walk via Friston to the Gallops, continuing to, and crossing, Lullington Heath, and then returning via Friston Forest.
Colin and Julia 07446458138
November 14th
LETS WALK TOGETHER FOR BBC CHILDREN IN NEED 5ish miles and 8ish miles
Few stiles This a walk for both short and long walkers as it is the same for about 2 ½ miles then splits into separate distances.
Seaford through to Bishopstone area and at Nortons village the walk splits. Judy will lead the remainder of the short walk and Mick will lead the remainder of the long walk. The idea is to make donations to BBC CIN in return for biscuits at coffee time. We will then donate the money to BBC Children in Need on behalf of Polegate Ramblers. Wear yellow if at all possible. Polegate Rec 09:30
Mick 07484104460 (long walkers) Judy 07802877514 (short walkers) SVP £3.00
November 21st
Cycle Track to ESK 1.5 miles
Bus No.6 @ 09:10 Downland Medical Centre to Langney then a bus to Langney Roundabout. Refreshments at the end.
Sue 482441 or 07972579340
Longman x 2 5.5 miles 3 stiles
Circular walk from Wannock Village Hall via Folkington, the Longman, Wilmington and back. Polegate Rec 09:30
Sonia 07790184583 SVP 40p
Cuckoos and Robins 9 miles No stiles
Starting at the Recreation Ground. Cuckoo Trail, Hailsham and Abbott’s Wood. Mostly firm paths. Polegate Rec 09:30 a.m.
Paul and Barbara 07812822879 SVP N/A
November 28th
Boreham Street Circular 5 miles 8ish stiles
Pleasant walk through fields and footpaths passing a castle and an observatory. A few easy hills
Vicky and Ozker 007701051155 SVP £3.00
Round the Brooks 10 miles 5 stiles
A fairly flat walk south of Lewes following footpaths over fields and along the river. Some tracks and road walking. Polegate Rec 09:30.
John and Theresa 07719437464 SVP £4.20
December 2024
December 5th
Ramblers Christmas Lunch Short walk for all members in the morning
Venue TBA
December 12th
Some Hamsey Church History 5 miles No stiles
A lovely riverside walk from Lewes to Hamsey where we will have coffee and the Friends of Hamsey Church have offered a short talk on the history of the Church (rarely open). We will return via some quiet lanes and through woodland back to the river. Mainly gravel or tarmac with a short distance through the woods and grass. No hills. Polegate Rec 09:30
Judy 07802877514 SVP £3.60
Tidemills-Newhaven-Peacehaven Heights 9.75 miles No stiles
Mostly good paths for a winter walk. Includes old Highway and a section of the Coastal Path (alternative if too windy) Polegate Rec at 09:30
John and Marion 07732971557 or jwriley@btinternet.com
December 19th
“Up Country” 2.25 miles
Meet Downland Medical Centre at 10:10 for No.6 bus to Upcountry Garden Centre for a seasonal gathering.
Wendy 520015 or 07914431464
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
Barbara O 840622 or 07709998678 SVP 60p
The More the Merrier 9 miles A few stiles No steep hills
Arlington, Selmeston and Berwick. Flat walk, option for refreshments at the finish. Polegate Rec at 09:30
Jan 07871436724 SVP £1.00
