Cycling Collection by Amy
Downs and Weald Way – From London to the sea, a great adventure
7 days
1-3 h/day
245km
2,120m
2,140m
This Collection guides you along the 157-mile (253 km) Downs and Weald Way from Central London to Hastings in seven stages. Ranging in length from 11 miles (18 km) to 34 miles (56 km), each stage unveils beautiful landscapes as they take you through the counties of Surrey and Sussex.
Whether you ride as a family with the kids in tow or prefer whizzing along lanes at full-throttle, you will enjoy the Downs and Weald Way. With 6,988 feet (2,130 meters) of elevation gain spread across the stages, the hills are manageable for any level of rider.
You can fully relax into your adventure far away from any cars as over half of the route follows traffic-free paths. Peaceful nature awaits as you ride along the Worth Way, Forest Way, and the Cuckoo Trail. However, this does mean that it’s wise to leave your slick road tyres at home. The paths become muddy after rain, which, let’s face it, means they are nearly always muddy.
The Downs and Weald Way takes you through centuries of history and changing landscapes – from the lofty heights of Beachy Head, across chalk downlands and through the ancient Ashdown Forest where A.A. Milne coined the Winnie the Pooh stories. You ride in the footsteps of Neolithic ancestors, visiting Tudor manor houses, ruined Medieval castles and Victorian seaside resorts along the way.
You can use this Collection to plan your next week-long cycle tour or inspire weekend escapes. Each stage can be conveniently combined or shortened to tailor your adventure to your own pace as they end in a town or village, often with a train station.
Along the way, you visit some of Surrey and Sussex’ finest towns – enjoy the splendid Victorian streets of Royal Tunbridge Wells, marvel at black and white timber-framed manors in Mayfield and Five Ashes, or take the East Hill Cliff Railway up Hasting’s steep cliff face. If you get hungry, you will also find no-end of cafes, pubs, restaurants and shops to stop for a treat.
No matter where you are travelling from, you can easily reach the start of your adventure in London. The city has direct train connections across the UK. If you already live in the capital, even better – there’s an epic adventure to be had right on your doorstep!
For more information about the Downs and Weald Way, visit: sustrans.org.uk/find-a-route-on-the-national-cycle-network/downs-and-weald
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Do it yourself!
Ready to get going? Create and customize your own version of this adventure using the full route below as a template.
Downs and Weald Way
185km
1,390m
1,400m
Last updated: November 28, 2024
Do it yourself!
Premium
Ready to get going? Create and customize your own version of this adventure using the full route below as a template.
Plan your own version of this adventure in the multi-day planner based on the stages suggested in this Collection.
Activities
41.3km
02:48
380m
210m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
56.7km
03:56
440m
510m
Hard bike ride. Good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.
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25.4km
01:45
300m
360m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
18.2km
01:17
180m
150m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
35.4km
02:33
540m
520m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
35.4km
02:09
130m
260m
Hard bike ride. Good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.
32.5km
02:01
160m
130m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Collection Stats
Activities
7
Distance
245 km
Duration
16:29 h
Elevation
2,120 m
2,140 m
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