THE BRIGHTON WAY - 53 MILES

ABOUT THE WALK & MY STORY -

1am indebted to Norman Willis whose book I subsequently published on this walk in 2002. He created the route after many years of travelling by train along the route and kept wanting to explore the area on foot. Seeing the book needed updating and being on my doorstep I felt I should walk the route and upgrade the maps I did and rewrote the book; so I dedicate this book to him.

Being December and short daylight hours I took four days over the walk - 12 to 17 miles a day, as I “Stationed hopped” to Brighton. It is a lovely walk from the flight path of Gatwick airport, through gentle countryside, where sheep roam and much woodland. The villages were full of history and several with amazing churches were passed. But the glory of the walk is after Hassocks Station where you reach the South Downs and windmills. The downs reminded me of the dales of the Peak District, although more expansive and where sheep roamed. A gentle ascent brings into their domain with extensive
views - all worth the 40 miles of walking to get here. You cross the downs following a section of the South Downs Way, with panoramic views and to the sea. Eventually you cross your last hill and descend to the pebbled shore and onto Brighton Pier and Station. A delightful walk that has it all - famous graves, deer, woodland, towns and villages, sweeping gentle hills and rolling waves. There is sprinkling of inns at the end of each section, but most of the time you will have to carry what you need.

Enjoy the walk, leaving the frantic world of transport and communication behind as you walk southwards through Sussex to the glimmering sea. Forget your problems and timetables, just enjoy Mother Earth and the beauty of the landscape and the sound of sheep and birds. A regular dose of this enriches your life immeasurably and you realise nothing is important.

Enjoy your walk to the sea!

Happy walking!
John N. Merrill

A5 Walk guide placed in awrap around plastic cover and signed by John Merrill.

Successful walkers can obtain a special embroidered cloth badge and sign certificate from John Merrill.

Names added to Walkers Roll of Honour page.