I parked at Lewes station, a convenient junction for trains to both Eastbourne and Brighton. I took the train to Eastbourne, and cycled to Brighton, this direction being chosen to make use of the easterly tailwind.
After a coffee on Eastbourne seafront, I set off around 10:00am, on another very hot sunny day (high twenties in the shade, much higher in the sun). My route stayed close to the coast where possible: this precluded much of NCN2, where it goes inland, for example to reach Exceat, or through the streets of Peacehaven:
- climb the (quite well graded) zig-zag road to Beachy Head
- descend on the road to Birling Gap (I stopped off to walk up to Belle Tout lighthouse)
- onward to East Dean, where I stopped for much needed refreshment at the pub on the village green
- bridleway to Friston church, then the track through Friston Forest to Exceat (thus avoiding the horrible A259)
- NCN2 to Seaford (I stopped for an excellent lunch in the cafe at Seaford and Newhaven Sailing Club)
- track across the shingle beach to Newhaven, passing through the site of the Tide Mills village (this includes a carry over the railway footbridge)
- NCN2 through the outskirts of Newhaven and on to Peacehaven
- Along the clifftop track and undercliff at Peacehaven, descending to Saltdean (including a stop for another drink at the Smugglers Rest)
- Undercliff to Brighton, through the Marina
I got the train back to Lewes arriving back at about 1800, having cycled around 32 miles.
It was a very enjoyable ride, in spite of the heat. I was assisted by a good tailwind, and there were great views along the white cliffs of Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters . The Peacehaven and Brighton undercliff sea walls provide a fantastic cycle path: a pair of sunglasses will help cope with the glare from the dazzling cliffs.
(NB for an exploration on foot of the parts of the coast that cannot be reached on two wheels, see my companion walking blogs: Peacehaven to Newhaven, Seaford to Birling Gap, Birling Gap to Eastbourne.)
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| Eastbourne sea front (£500 fine available for cycling on the prom: how enlightened) |
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| Airstream Cafe |
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| View back to Eastbourne from Beachy Head |
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| On Beachy Head (sadly a rescue operation seemed to be underway) |
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| Road descending from Beachy Head to Belle Tout |
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| Best views of the lighthouse are from near Belle Tout |
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| Walking towards Belle Tout lighthouse |
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| Birling Gap |
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| Village green, East Dean |
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| Bridleway from East Dean to Friston Church |
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| Looking back |
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| The track through Friston Forest |
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| NCN2 between Exceat and Seaford alongside Cuckmere River |
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| View back to Cuckmere Haven |
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| Green green on Seaford golf course |
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| Martello Tower, seaford |
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| Seaford prom (open to careful cyclists) |
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| Lunch at Seaford and Newhaven Sailing Club |
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| Track crossing shingle beach between Seaford and Newhaven |
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| Remains of Tide Mills, mid nineteenth century mill driven be capturing water on the rising tide. Now that's a good idea. |
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| Seaford Bay |
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| You may exit at the relatively new McKinley Road bridge over Mill Creek.... |
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| ...or continue along the path.... |
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| ...crossing the Creek..... |
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| ...and carrying over the railway footbridge |
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| NCN2 gives good views over Newhaven harbour |
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| Looking back on NCN2 climbing through the Newhaven suburbs |
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| NCN2 rough track between Newhaven and Peacehaven |
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| Clifftop track, Peacehaven |
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| Stony track |
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| Greenwich Meridian Monument, Peacehaven |
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| Road descending through chalk to.... |
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| ....Peacehaven undercliff |
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| Sun deck, Smugglers Rest, Telscombe cliffs |
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| View from Telscombe, NCN2 descending beside road to Saltdean |
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| Undercliff between Saltdean and Brighton (can't complain about the width of the roadway!) |
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| More white cliffs |
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| Roedean school atop the cliffs, seen from Brighton Marina |
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| Brighton Marina |
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| Two way cycle track on Madeira Road, East Brighton |
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| Wacky Brighton |
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| Brighton Pavilion |
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