Lewes Rail to Ramble circular

Discover the historic market town of Lewes

Path: Uneven, sometimes muddy. Take care crossing roads. Multiple stiles.
Gradient: Steep incline to Offham chalk pits. Some of the streets in Lewes are steep.

Getting there

Starts and finishes at Lewes Railway Station.

By bus: There are regular services to Lewes, Offham and Cooksbridge, visit traveline.info/se
By rail: Southern hourly service 7 days a week between London and Eastbourne stops at Cooksbridge and Lewes. Visit nationalrail.co.uk

Offham Chalk pits

A hive of industrial activity during the 18th and 19th century. Here, the raw chalk of the South Downs and the River Ouse meet and both were part of the great chalk pit and lime industry which has shaped the landscape we see today.

Battle of Lewes 1264

The Battle of Lewes, where Simon de Montfort defeated King Henry III, took place on Offham Hill in 1264. This, along with the battle of Evesham the following year, helped to pave the way for our modern parliamentary system.

Lewes Castle

Built shortly after the Norman invasion to dominate and control the Sussex coast. Royal forces encamped here before engaging in the Battle of Lewes. The castle was later used as a prison and a warehouse for wool.

Harvey’s Brewery

The oldest independent brewery in Sussex. A family business for seven generations since John Harvey in 1790. Visit harveys.org.uk to find out more about this delicious locally brewed beer.

Directions

1. Exit Lewes Railway Station and cross the bridge. Turn right along Landsdown Place and Friars Walk, over the mini roundabout until you meet the traffic lights. Turn right into the precinct.
2. Continue over Cliffe Bridge until you get to North Court (a small alley way on the left).
3. Go through the alley and follow the brick pathway passing Harvey’s Brewery.
4. Continue along the brick path winding left to meet the river Ouse.
5. Follow the riverside walk passing Tesco on your right until you reach Willey’s Bridge.
6. Cross the bridge.
7. Turn right and follow the river bank passing through three gates until you reach a railway bridge.
8. Head away from the river under the bridge towards the woods. Pass through a gate, turn right and take the woodland path up to Offham village.
9. Turn left at the main road (A275) then right onto the footpath by Toll Cottage. Take the left fork and head up a steep path to Offham chalk pits.
10. Keeping left, cross the chalk pit plateau. Climb the hill through the kissing gate.
11. Turn left here for the information panel and view above the main chalk pit, or right to continue. Go along a wooded path and turn left at the iron gate.
12. Pass through a wooden gate, and following the path over the field, cross another path, until you come to the gate in the corner of the field.
13. Pass through the gate and the next gate, crossing the road by the old racecourse.
14. Keeping the fence on your right, head down around Jill’s Pond, to the gate at the bottom of the hill.
15. Here, there is an information board about Landport Bottom and the Battle of Lewes. Continue downhill to the tarmac road.
16. Stay right, following the path. Continue past Heath Stables to the main road.
17. Carefully cross the road on to Spital Road and continue downhill towards Lewes Town Centre
18. Stay on the left pavement meeting Western Road. Continue on, passing the Greenwich Meridian plaque in the pavement, to the centre of Lewes.
19. Turn right down Station Street towards Lewes Railway Station or to see more of Lewes continue past the War Memorial bearing right down (steep) School Hill to the traffic lights at the bottom.
20. Turn right here to retrace steps 1 and 2 to head back to Lewes Railway Station.