We're leaving next Monday for London, where we'll spend 3 nights (we've been there many times) and then take the train for a week in Chipping Campden (thanks Pauline for listing an apartment that seems to suit us just fine!)

We'll then have 4 full days to do.........I don't know what. We don't want to spend too much time traveling, so Cornwall is out as is probably York. We haven't been to Canterbury since 1970 and completely forget it--is it worth four days? Or is it more a day trip from London. How about Rochester? I wanted to do a 4 day walk around Kent, but my husband balked at the 10 mile distances each day. OK we're slugs, but 6-7 miles seem to be our limit. By the way, we decided not to rent a car so this will all be by train or bus.

I feel that Canterbury is more a one or two day city, unless you extend your stay there by branching out to Sandwich, Dover and Walmer. The cathedral at Rochester does not nearly match up to that at Canterbury, but the castle is worth a short visit, and I highly recommend Restoration House (open Thursdays and Fridays until 25th September). At Chatham, just a mile or two from Rochester is the Historic Dockyard which is a really good museum if you are at all interested in naval ships.

When you mention a 4-day 40 mile walk "around Kent" I'm not sure what you have in mind. Would this be a walk along part of the coast? A more picturesque alternative would be to take a train to Seaford in Sussex and walk to Alfriston (day 1) and then on to Eastbourne on the second day. This would include some of the best cliff-walking in Britain and would be just about within your mileage limit. You could spend the other two days in Brighton / Rye / Canterbury / Rochester / or many other places.

There are several excellent castles and country houses in south-east England (Kent and Sussex) as well as much lovely countryside and pretty villages, but most of these would be much easier to see with a car (or taxi).

Other thoughts:

Oxford is between London and Chipping Campden. There is plenty to do in and around.

Bath is also worth considering.

Thanks, WSB. The walk that we were considering was from a company called "Walkawhile", called The Pilgrims' Trail. Total mileage for 4 days was 45, which because of verious health reasons we just can't do. It's the typical company that shleps your luggage from town to town. It's more expensive than Contours or Sherpa, but is more personalized (someone comes to your hotel or B & B every morning to go over the route with you and answer any questions.)

You mention cliffs. Does the route you mention involve climbing those cliffs?

I just located Seaford, Alfriston and Eastbourne on a map and wonder--do you know of a footpath that would link the three? They definitely look doable. I'll check the Chamber of Commerce in Seaford and ask.

off topic a little sharonov but you are only going to be four miles from me so if you feel like a walk to my village i can drive you back or perhaps have a tiny gtg at hidcote gardens? anyone else around at the same time?? i have just had an operation on my right shoulder (ouch at the moment) but hope to be driving again next week - hence please excuse left handed typing without capitals. only day not good is friday when i will be doing left handed cleaning in my cottage...

Felicity, what a wonderful offer (my husband says "princely"! I've just e-mailed a Seaford hotel plus the Newhaven Chamber of Commerce to ask if there is a footpath or minor road between towns. Perhaps you might answer the question for me?
What type of operation are you having on your shoulder? I have a bone spur that is causing me no end of annoyance, pain and restricted movement. 5 weeks of physical therapy has done nothing, and at my doctor appointment tomorrow I expect he'll recommend surgery for when we come home. If you'd like to answer personally, my e-mail is: snovickas@hotmail.com.

Again thank you for such a nice message. Now I definitely want to go to Seaford (or do you live near one of the other towns?)

I should have looked more carefully before writing--I see that you are near Chipping Campden and not in Sussex! Nonetheless we would love to meet you. We'll be in Hookes House right on the square from 18 September, departure the 25th. If you're not up to driving that's OK because we can definitely manage 4 miles each way!

Like Felicity, I'm based in the Cotswolds rather then Sussex. But I have done a certain amount of walking down there (my wife's aunt lives in a little hamlet just behind the Seven Sisters cliffs), and I can confirm that there are lots of good footpaths around there, including the South Downs Way, a well signposted long distance trail.

The best online maps of the area are on Multimap: click on the arrow to the right of the 'Map' tab, choose 'Ordnance Survey', and you'll get the footpaths all clearly marked.

Jonathan

No there's no cliff-climbing involved! The maximum altitude is about 600 feet and most of the cliff walking is on gently-sloping sheep-cropped turf.

This page on the South Downs Way website which Jonathan mentioned covers Seaford to Eastbourne without the detour to Alfriston.

This page and this cover the bit between the coast at Cuckmere Haven (near the Seven Sisters cliffs) and Alfriston. Alfriston is well known as one of the prettiest villages in Sussex. If you had the time and energy I'd also recommend the detour to Westdean. It's a delightful little hamlet with an interesting church. I wonder whether this is where Jonathan's aunt lives.

For a good map I'd recommend this. from the Ordnance Survey. You'll be able to buy it slightly cheaper from an on-line bookseller I expect.

My daughter walked Seaford to Alfriston last New Year's Eve and stayed at the Youth Hostel. She loved it.

(I'm sorry to hear about your shoulder, Felicity and your injury, sharonov. I hope you both get quickly better.)

I've just looked up the Walkawhile Pilgrims' Way walk. With a good guide I imagine it would be good fun, but as you say quite strenuous.

sharonov - sorry I am not in sussex!.......I went to boarding school there but we weren't allowed out the gates (a convent) except on coach trips to castles and places of educational merit so i am not much help to you there except to say that west sussex is beautiful.

your shoulder sounds similar - i had the op last friday and am happy to give you all the gory details (surgeon even presented me with DVD of his explorations and the high speed saw in action inside my arm). can't tell you if it was worth doing as yet as am like bird with broken wing at the moment. i have sent you an email just now (in case your spam folder gobbles it)and hope we can meet up!

thank you for good wishes wsb!

I really love Slowtrav. Thank you all so much. Now we have a plan!

quote:

I'd also recommend the detour to Westdean. It's a delightful little hamlet with an interesting church. I wonder whether this is where Jonathan's aunt lives.

Yes, lovely little place. But P's aunt's is even smaller: Crowlink, just down past the NT car park. Wonderfully peaceful - and only about 10 minutes' walk from the coast path.

Jonathan

Alfriston is a gem--a tiny village with a church and the clergy house and a good climbing tree 9we had a hard time getting our kids down from it). The Trust Shop is open until Christmas. The Star is a an okay if a bit stuffy pub (no kids under 14) while the Smugglers has a huge fire place--and a fruit machine. There are walks through the surrounding meadows and it connects with the South Downs Way.

The Cuckmere Valley in Seven Sisters Country Park is extraordinary. You can follow two paths to the right or left of the river--one climbs up the steep hill past a herd of tiny ponies, and the other follows the river to the sea, under the cliff. It is other -wordly and wild and gentle and gorgeous and totally sets you up for Beachy Head and Birling Gap.

Seaford Head has Trust Coastguard cottages which always make me wish we were staying there. There was a great edition of Clare Baldings' Ramblings on this part of the walk--wonder if it is still in the BBC archives?

We've booked the White Lion Pub in Seaford for two nights, to allow for a short trip to Brighton, and the Wingrove in Alfriston for one night. Hope it doesn't rain that weekend!

Yes. I hope the weather smiles on you.

I spent yesterday sight-seeing in Brighton (Heritage Open Day) and the sun shone all day. Fabulous September weather.

Not quite sure of your exact timings, but I think you should be in the Cotswolds and/or Sussex around now. Wherever you are I hope you're enjoying this wonderful late summer weather we're having! My wife is making the most of the sun picnicing on the beach at Seaford as I write.

Wow, did we ever have good weather! Every single day! I'm not counting our first few days in London (it rained a little on two days) because we spent time in museums and with our friends. But in the Cotswolds and on the southern coast (we ended up in Eastbourne instead of Seaford for the last 4 days)we woke up to clouds which turned into sunshine by 10:00am...every day!!! How lucky is that???
Wonderful trip. We met Felicity (what a delightful lady), walked until our backs cried "stop!" saw the requisite castles, sheep, gorgeous rolling hills, and now we're home with more glorious memories. Think I'll do a Trip Report.

Hi Sharonov,
Glad you had a great trip and super weather, probably a lot better than we will have in 2 weeks. And as we're on our way to hot south Africa, we won't have much in the way of warm clothes. Please look at my yeterday's posting about questions for WSB and give me any hints you can. Why did you go to Eastbourne instead of Seaford and where did you stay?
Thanks, Brenda M

Glad you had such a good time, sharonov. I look forward to reading the Trip Report.