Route F: Eastbourne to Brighton

Summary

This relatively short ride forms part of my complete circuit of the south east coast., taking in Beachy Head, Friston Forest, the remains of the Tide Mills between Seaford and Newhaven (optional), Newhaven Harbour, the Greenwich Meridian Monument at Peacehaven, the Brighton Undercliff, The Lanes and Brighton Pavilion. (For previous section, Rye to Eastbourne, see here.) (For more 'Cycling from Guildford' routes see here.)

Travel: I describe the route from East to West, starting from Eastbourne station, and getting the train back from Brighton. By car, I suggest parking at Lewes station, where the line divides to serve both Eastbourne and Brighton.

Map:

GPX: You can download the Google map info, as a KML/KMZ file, then convert to GPX using a site like GPS Visualiser, or get the main route from the cycle.travel website. You download and use any such data entirely at your own risk.

Distance: 29 miles

Surface/traffic: Mainly good surfaces (tarmac path or road) except rough tracks through Friston Forest NCN2 between Exceat and Seaford, across Seaford beach, NCN2 from Newhaven to Peacehaven, and along the clifftop access road at Peacehaven.

The climb out of Eastbourne to Beachy Head, then on via Birling Gap to Friston is on a road which might be busy at peak time in season. The short section on the A259 in Newhaven is busy.

Route Variations: Rather than taking the NCN2 cycle track beside the main road between Seaford and Newhaven, you might try the more adventurous route across the beach via the Tide Mills.

Between Eastbourne and Exceat, the NCN2 takes a long inland route via Alfriston, which you could follow, but I prefer to stay close to the coast.

Directions (see map):

From Eastbourne Station, make your way down to the sea front, and follow the road Westwards along the sea front (regrettably, the seaside promenade is closed to cycling), then climb on Duke's Drive before turning off to Beachy Head. Then follow the road descending (optional excursion on foot to Belle Tout Lighthouse) to Birling Gap. Then carry on to East Dean village. Here either take the busy A259 or a bridleway to the turn off on Warnock Road opposite Friston Church, to join the track through the Friston Forest to Exceat (this is much to be preferred to descending on the very busy narrow A259).

At Exceat, cross the Cuckmere on the A259 then turn off left by the Cuckmere Inn to follow NCN2 over to Seaford on an off-road bridleway giving good views back over Cuckmere Haven and the Seven Sisters. Continue down to Seaford sea front, where you can either take the NCN2 roadside cyclepath, to Newhaven, or the more interesting and adventurous path across the shingly beach between Seaford and Newhaven, passing the site of the Tide Mills.

Immediately on crossing the A259 bridge over Newhaven Harbour turn left along the harbourside trail then follow NCN2 up through the suburbs of Newhaven. At the Gibbon Road cul-de-sac a path gives access for NCN2 to a stony track which leads over to Peacehaven.

At Peacehaven, rather than taking NCN2 through the backstreets, I prefer to stay on the clifftop access road, before finally joining the official NCN2 cyclepath down to Saltdean. Here descend to the undercliff path to Brighton Marina, and onward along Madeira Drive before leaving the sea front to head for Brighton Station via the Lanes and passing Brighton Pavilion.

Refreshments: There are plenty of eateries in Eastbourne, Seaford, Newhaven, Saltdean and Brighton. Pub at Beachy Head. NT Cafe at Birling Gap. Tiger Inn at East Dean. Cafe at Newhaven and Seaford Sailing Club. Smuggler's Rest at Telscombe.

Attractions: General seaside ambiance. Beachy Head (walk your bike to the various viewpoints) Birling Gap (NT Cafe), Friston Village Green, Cuckmere Haven (visit on foot). Remains of Tide Mills village between Seaford and Newhaven). Greenwich Meridian Monument at Peacehaven. Brighton undercliff road (dazzling!). Brighton Marina. Brighton (the Lanes shopping streets and Pavilion) .

Finding your way: As with any ambitious cycle ride in the UK, it's best to download the route and follow it on a GPS or smartphone app. Parts of the route as indicated above are signed as NCN2.

Photos

The road from Beachy Head