If you can't face climbing back up to the Downs after a heavy lunch, Walk 407 'Alternative ending at Plumpton' might offer a lifeline!

Interestingly the train schedule shows departure from Victoria at 0924 or 0954 which will arrive Lewes at 1026 or 1056. Which one should I book?

@Joe: neither. The walk starts from Hassocks and the Lewes trains don't go there. If cheap Rail Sale tickets are still available, PeteG is saying that you can buy a single to Hassocks for the 09:46 and a single back from Lewes (but you have to pick a specific train). "Buy a return to Lewes" is the standard advice when cheap sale tickets aren't on offer.

Thank you so much, Sean. I missed the starting point will be in Hassock 😅

Noting Mike's comment below, I have taken the liberty of adding his Plumpton Railway Station walk ending (in SWC 407) to the Directions for today's walk - Hassocks to Lewes - just in case anyone wants a shorter and easier walk today. Thanks Mike.

Thanks Marcus, hope my October mud-fest proves of use to anyone who has lost track of time or overdosed on sticky toffee pudding. Trains from Plumpton are hourly only at x33 and there's nothing at the station.

The weather gods were with us today, giving perfect weather for the walk, sunshine &_stillness. 22 in total with 1 early start and 1 late. Around 10 ate in the pub, with 2 going to Plumpton. The start was inauspious, with mud straight after the station, but mostly fine walking underfoot. Clear views throughout. Lunch split the group, with most picnicers staying on top. There was some debate about tea and cake, and we need a recommendation for that in Lewes for those not focusing on the pub! I think 8 got the 1725, I assume the others earlier trains. We all had a good day out.

Just to add Tea places at Lewes: 4 went to Caffe Nero on high street, I Googled tea room near me while on the high street, it made a couple of suggestions close by. So 4 others went to Carafe Coffee Roasters at 29 Station Street, BN7 2DB, and met another walker who started late. The place serves a variety of tea in pot and a selection of declicious cakes (including a few vegan options). It was packed soon after we sat down. It closes at 5pm, 4-5 mins walk from the Lewes Station. It would be a good choice for future tea breaks. Opposite Carafe, it is The tea Garden Lewes, 5 Station Street, BN7 2DA. This was our first choice from the Google search, but the owner said to us to come back in an hour. Not sure what was that all about, but the internet photos of the place looks very very enticing, worth checking it out next time too.

8

The day was cloudy until 2 then sunny

The others raced up the hill to Jack and Jill, leaving poor Mr Tiger and A.N.Other tumbling after. Luckily no crowns were broken.

Two (or was it 3?) opted for the descent to Plumpton. The ‘toppies’ stopped at the Pink Pit Stop for tea, then continued on, stopping here and there to eat their lunchies.

The stretch along the top is a bit long, a bit samey without the Plumpton descent. Win some, lose some.

The stretch down to and along the Ouse was resurfaced during last years flood repairs.

Mr Tiger was on his own by the time he reached Lewes. He dutifully looked in the Lewes Arms. Nobody. He drank a pint. Still nobody. He left to catch the 16:21. Turns out at least one other did look in the pub after. Turns out he was ahead. What’s the world coming to?

19 and a dog set off from Hassocks on a rare sunny day, ideal for this walk. Nobody expressed interest in a pub lunch and those without sandwiches dashed off to buy some. We waded through some very wet mud on the first stretch but the ground was drier as we ascended the downs and firm on the top. The group stretched out during the morning.

Four stopped for lunch at picnic tables on the verge of the narrow lane leading down to Falmer. There is sometimes a van selling tea and snacks at this spot though not today. We lingered there for a while enjoying the sunshine and realised we were at the back of the group as nobody else passed by. The afternoon stretch had good views, the sun casting large cloud shadows inland while still shining on us. We reached Lewes shortly before 4pm. Two joined an earlier arrival in the pub near the station, one went in search of coffee and cake. Six caught the 4.25pm train.

Picnic tables would have been nice! I didn’t notice those. Around half the group lunched perched on tree stumps at about the point where the route from the pub comes up. We then got strung out on the descent, but I certainly got to Lewes just too late for the 4.25, so you must have overtaken us at some point, Wanderer.

There were at least five of us on the 4.55, and I know some were still in the pub at that point. Some had been to a cafe called Coco something.

A great day out. The sunshine and lovely downs views were a tonic!

The cafe some of us visited was the Carafe Coffee House on Station Street.

A total of 16 and a small dog today. Hardly time for introductions before the group raced off.

Poor Mr Tiger found the first Jack and Jill a bit chirp and cheep so he took his orange and lime and was soon left peel and rind.

Never saw most of the others again.

About 6 ventured down to the Half Moon. Mr Tiger stayed on top. This was just as energetic because he had to throw sticks for a dog.

Weather was cloudy sunny cloudy sunny

A bit of a crisis after Hamsey. A section of the Ouse path was closed. Mr Tiger continued along the bridleway, through Landport, and successfully navigated his way to the Lewes Arms. Here one or two others caught up. Hope the others found their way ok.

5 from LBG, 12 from VIC, and 1 by car, so18 . Weather was partly cloudy with a chilly breeze . Five of us took a shortcut near the end by following the Greenwich Meridian Trail and enjoyed a lovely drink in the Lansdown Arms before catching the 15.55

8 of us descended from the Downs to Plumpton where we all had lunch at the busy Half Moon pub. Meal portions were generous and we left fully sated and watered, to climb back up onto the Downs. We were now in two groups of four, some fifteen minutes apart. On reaching the river Ouse for what used to be a very muddy riverside path all the way to the outskirts of Lewes, we found new Environment flood protection works had provided a raised path with a gravel surface for walkers to walk along - so no mud ! On reaching Lewes two in our group stopped at the Elephant & Castle pub for a post walk tincture and pick-me-up, leaving two of us to proceed up the path to Lewes Castle then down through the town to the railway station, where we were just in time to visit the Runaway station caff before catching the 16-55 hrs train back to London - one hour after the 10 picnickers on today's walk.

No rain today until the train approached Victoria. A nice day out.

12 at the station. It started cloudy got sunny later The others soon shook me off on the hill up to rhe windmills. What’s the hurry? 5 descended to Plumpton for lunch.It was good (so I am told). I wouldn’t say I was going fast but they didn’t catch me up till Lewes. As we were between trains we visited the White Hart. Empty and only serving drink in bottles. 2 had tea, 2 imbibed. We sat out back in the sun. Then come home.I find the stretch up top a little monotonous. But there was plantlife to be seen, ladies bedstraw, catchfly, hawk something or other, to name a few. And some white stuff that defied identification.

Forgot to mention the orchids. There were some.

Hey Mr. Tiger. Thanks for posting a favourite walk. Does the outbound Hassocks train arrive at 10:24?

So it does. text corrected.

Six off the train, who caught up on the ridge and one who missed the train so meet us at the pub in Plumpton so 8 . sunny with lots of wind . There were beautiful views along the ridge with some tumuli on the way. Most picnicked on the ridge, which was spectacular. Three went to the pub and two joined later, where our last member joined the group. As always, there was some splintering after lunch, and two had missed the trail as they were having a great conversation. Five of the group met up in dribs and drabs in Lewes for either tea or some well deserved ale. All in all a great day out.

*Plumpton: really a village but as big as any town in fairyland.

The Half Moon pub won’t take reservation for lunch. Walk-ins only.

Will take a taxi from the lunch time pub back to Hassocks, if anyone wants to bail out early. P

Where will we meet at the beginning of the walk? This is only my 2nd walk -- thank you!

The group should be obvious when you get off the train at Hassocks.

There should be quite a few walkers in the group tomorrow, Lisa.

n = 7

Light rain; mist

Seven on this: six regulars (including one late starter) and one occasional - genial company all. Opening and closing curtains of atmospheric mist on the stilly South Downs. Keen on a pub lunch and snack-free (unlike my companions - thank you to them for offers to share), I parted from the other five who were on the scheduled train, at the point where you can divert to The Half-Moon. I was then caught by the speedy Late Starter and we enjoyed a very friendly reception and fine fare at the pub: excellent pork sausage and battered fish dishes, promptly served, but not too promptly. Late Starter then sped on toward Lewes and I walked to Plumpton Station. I hope the other five enjoyed the rest of the walk.

I'm away this week so I hope all mid-week regulars plus those attending for the first time enjoy this lovely South Downs walk.

Anyone going on this walk?jfk

Frankie

6 off the train in Hassocks who soon overtook 1 who had taken an earlier train so 7 altogether.

2 minutes into the walk those who had rain gear decided that the irritating drizzle would turn into heavy rain and covered up. And rain it did - all morning. It was a Wednesday after all.

The church of St. John the Baptist offered no temporary shelter since it was closed for building works. With very limited visibility there was no need to stop to admire the views so we pressed on to the Half Moon pub in Plumpton arriving just before a funeral party. All but one, who had to be back in London early, had an average, cheap and hearty lunch and tried to dry off and warm up in front of a wood burner that managed to produce remarkably little heat.

The group then split up with 2 taking a taxi to visit the Wood exhibition at the Ditchling Museum of Art and Craft while the other 4 warmed up on the steep ascent back to the South Downs Way. The rain had stopped and at 16.00 the sun came out.

All 4 then took the 16.54 train back to London.

A day of two halves but an enjoyable one.

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7 wet in the morning

I think the Garden Room cafe may have closed - I have happy memories of numerous visits, but could not find it the last time I was there. Anyone been recently?

Have now checked the walk updates & confirmed it closed some years ago.

Never mind, there are quite a few other tea options to choose from in lewes.

I can recommend Bills 56 Cliffe High Street, Lewes t: 01273 476918.

It's a little bit of a walk from the station, but well worth the effort.

Might be worth calling ahead if there's more than 5 or 6 of you intending to visit.

Thanks for posting this standard distance walk that we used to know. At least I don't need to worry about walking alone if I take a short cut on one of the long walks below. Thank you.

30 warm overcast some sun breeze I lagged behind the others so can't say how their day went. I forewent the descent to Plumpton but rewarded myself with some HSB (its a beer - not a bank) in the Lewes Arms at walk's end.

I was with Ian T at the back of the pack for some time at the start, so I expected to be one of the last at the lunch stop. To my surprise, I was one of the first, and only about a dozen of our group eventually drifted in. I guess the bulk of the group chose not to squander the hard won elevation and stayed on the ridge to Lewes.

The menu of the Half Moon at Plumpton was a little limited, but such as it had came quickly enough and was of good quality.

The timing of this walk was good, with a sensible start time that got us to the pub before it filled up.