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
Wednesday March 6th Langham Lunch
Menu and Application Form PDF Word
Friday April 12th 2.00 p.m. – AGM Willingdon Village Hall. Details to follow.
APRIL 2024
APRIL 4th
Change to Programme Willingdon – Jevington Circular 5 miles 3 stiles
Starting at Willingdon Cemetry, we walk through Paragon Fields to Wannock Lane where we then take the Roman Road to Jevington. After a coffee stop at the Eight Bells pub the walk returns over Combe Hill with fabulous views over Eastbourne town and the Cuckmere Valley. The walk does include some medium difficulty climbs but rest stops will be taken at regular intervals. Leaving Polegate Rec at 9.30 am. for car sharing to the start. Polegate Rec 09:30 Please book on as usual.
Royce and Denise 07815193363 SVP 50p
Avoiding Poverty 10 miles No stiles
Downland walk with a mixture of terrains, first half mainly uphill. Polegate Rec 09:30
John/Theresa 07719437464 SVP £3.30
APRIL 11th
Polegate to Wilmington 2 ½ miles
Meet Downland Medical Centre at 09:45 and walk new cycle track to Wilmington Village. Refreshments at Wishing Well Tea Gardens
Dolly 07790750516
Change to Programme – Chalvington 5 miles. 2 stiles
Starting at Chalvington Stud Farm House, we walk to Eckington Corner. This is a flat walk, with some road walking and a muddy field to cross. Views of the Downs, lots of pretty farm cottages and two lovely old churches to see along the way. As few cars as possible please as there is not a lot of space to park. Please share by meeting at the recreation ground.
Barbara O 07709998678 SVP £1.50
Over the Hills to Exceat 10 miles 4 stiles
Paths and tracks between Butts Brow and Exceat. Please remember residents car park pass. Polegate Rec at 09:30
Esther & John 07579780999 SVP 60p
FRIDAY APRIL 12th – 2.00 AGM Willingdon Village Hall. Details to follow.
APRIL 18th
Arlington Reservoir 4.5 miles 2 stiles at the railway crossing.
Fairly easy circular walk from Arlington via Selmeston and Berwick.
Penny 07778282811 SVP £1.50
Over and Under the Bluebell 10 miles 6 stiles
Fields, paths, small section of road. Polegate Rec at 09:15
Paul & Barbara 07812822879 SVP £6.00
APRIL 25th
Robin Post Lane to LiteBites 3 miles
Downlands Medical Centre @ 09:45 for Bus 51 to Hailsham Roundabout. Bridle path to Robin Post Lane skirting Abbots Wood. Could be muddy, Refreshments at Lite Bites Polegate.
Sue 07972579340 or 482441
Springtime in Friston Forest 5 miles 3 stiles
A spring walk through Friston Forest from Crowlink (don’t forget NT membership card for car park) Polegate Rec at 09:30
Tony 07850184426 or 365581 SVP £1.50
Don’t Rain on my Parade 10 ½ miles Not many stiles
Crowlink to Exceat, Cuckmere, Littlington, West Dean an Friston Pond. Polegate Rec at 09:30
Jan 07871436724 SVP £1.50
May 2024
May 2nd
Bluebells, Badgers and Abbots Ale Trail! 5 miles 4 stiles
Wilmington Green (opposite side of A27 to the village). Flat, scenic route along bridle way, fields and paths. Polegate Rec at 09:30 Olive 07896851797 or 504653 SVP 90p
Frolics on the South Downs 10 miles 2 stiles YHA to Belle Toute, Birling Gap, East Dean & Eldon Bottom. Polegate Rec 09:30, YHA 09:50
Jayne 07775631499 SVP £1.50
MAY 9th
East Dean 2½ miles
Aim for Bus 54 at 09:33 Polegate Station otherwise 09:45 Bus 51 to Eastbourne station, then Brighton bus to Downs Golf Club. Walk to East Dean for refreshments.
Joy 487269 or 07835986485
Lewi, Lewi, Lewi, Lewes 5 miles No stiles
We follow along the pretty banks of the River Ouse to the hamlet of Offham. Gentle but long hill up to site of the Battle of Lewes (1264) with splendid views. Return via Pellbrook Cut and Pells Pool. Polegate Rec 09:30
Barbara O 840622 or 07709998678 (please text as poor reception) SVP £3.60
Rambling Rocks, Return Tour Starring Eridge and Harrisons 9 miles 5 stiles <br>Different geology, different landscape, green sandstone outcrops, forest views of Sussex Weald and a great country House (Groombridge Place) Polegate Rec 09:15 Richard 07926500419 (text only please) SVP £6.00
MAY 16th
Town, Sea, Cliffs and River Views 5 miles No stiles
A walk around Seaford Head with views of Seaford and Seven Sisters, along the river bank and back up to South Hill Barn Polegate Rec 09:30
Tony 07850184426 SVP £2.40
Kemptown Races 10 miles No stiles
Over the hills to Kemptown and back via the Marina. Polegate 09:30
John and Theresa 07719437464 SVP £6.00
MAY 23rd
Cuckoo Trail And Bridleway 2½ miles
Meet outside cycle shop in Polegate High Street 10:00. No bus so walk to Cuckoo Trail. Uneven in places. Refreshments afterwards in Polegate.
Hazel 484992 or 07732712782
Downs Ramble One 5 miles ? stiles
From the YHA to Countryside Centre and back. Leader at the start YHA 09:50. Polegate Rec 09:30 for car share.
Brenda K 07907678148 or 726165 SVP £1.50
Guestling Area Ramble 10 miles Some stiles
Paths, woods, fields in the Guestling area. Refreshments afterwards at The Patience Café . Polegate 09:15.
Patience 07764300287 SVP £6.00
May 30th
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
Church To Church 9 Miles, 11 stiles
From Hellingly Church follow the Wealdway to Chiddingly for coffee in the Millenium Garden with the sculptures. Then along the Vanguard Way to Gun Hill and back via the edge of Wellshurst.. Polegate Rec 09:30
Alan 07753610752 SVP £1.60
