Hassocks to Lewes
2026-07-12
Total Distance: 17km
Difficulty: Medium
Getting There: Train to Hassocks (came from East Croydon)
A moderately difficult walk (at least in part because of the distance during a hot day).
Starts off with 15 mins or so of no so very uphill, but then the first and only climb to get up to the 2 windmills then the South Downs Way, but apart from that no substantial climbs.
The windmills were under repair when we walked past them unfortunately, so couldn't check them out.
There isn't a whole lot going on on the South Downs themselves as far as pubs/towns/cafes go, just really nice views of both the south coast (including the I360), and of north from the walk across various townships and English countryside.
The only two places for any sort of reprieve (in this heat) were an ice cream van at Ditchling Beacon (roughly half way, not sure how often it is there) and a cafe called "The Pink Pitstop" about 1km further along.
Don't recommend the Pink Pitstop... they do serve some refreshments, but don't fill water bottles! Annoying paying 6GBP for a 440mL only slightly cooled beer and not even allowed to fill your water bottle. Feels like that must be illegal... I should check...
Walk continues along through some still lovely fields and you end up hitting Lewes after about 15km.
We walked to Beak Brewery which is a great place to end. Would highly recommend.
Train back from Lewes is pretty easy. We managed to sneak on with our to-Brighton Open Return tickets, unsure how kosher that is.
Overall Comments
Great walk, don't think I'd do it again in the same heat, but would do it otherwise.
Unfortunately no TBW on this walk.