22km Long Man of Wilmington Chalk carving to Britains sunniest seaside town

📏 Key Info:
• Distance: 14 miles (22km)
• Grading: Intermediate/Challenging
• Ascent: 410m
• Hiking time: 5.5 to 6.5 hours
• Cost: £31 plus Eventbrite fee they charge including the guided hike and return train travel, click “Get Tickets” to join.
• Payments are refundable upto 7 days in advance, after that they are non refundable and non transferrable.
• Toilet breaks: On the train, at the lunch stop, and at the end vineyard
📍 Meeting Point
• Victoria station. Meet between WHSmith (no 34) and Nero Express (no 29) - MAP & photo
• Time: Meet 8:10am, leave 8:30am for the 8:46am train
• Return: 8:38pm arrival back in London (you’re committed until then)
🌟 Highlights
• See the Long Man of Wilmington, a mysterious chalk hill figure several hundred years old
• Pass a historic smugglers’ inn hidden in rural Sussex
• Hike across the South Downs chalk hills with superb panoramic views
• Experience the fresh scent of the sea and distant coastal views as we approach Eastbourne
• Explore sleepy Sussex villages with thatched cottages and time-forgotten churches
• Finish in Eastbourne, the sunniest place in Britain, for a well-earned coastal pub stop
🥾 Hike Description
We begin our journey at Arlington Reservoir, where the path quickly brings us into sight of the famous Long Man of Wilmington. This striking hillside figure grows larger as we approach until we stand directly at its feet. Though its exact origins remain a mystery, historians believe it dates back to the 1500s or 1600s, adding intrigue to its commanding presence on the Downs.
Our route then leads us through the gentle rolling countryside of the Sussex Weald, passing through timeless villages with thatched cottages and ancient rural churches. Along the way we pass an old smugglers’ inn, a reminder of the area’s colourful past when contraband flowed inland from the Sussex coast.
Climbing ridge tops along the South Downs chalk hills, we are rewarded with sweeping panoramic views across the surrounding countryside. As the path undulates across the Downs, the fresh scent of the sea drifts inland and glimpses of the distant coastline begin to appear — teasing us with the promise of the coast ahead.
Our hike concludes in the lively seaside town of Eastbourne, proudly known as the sunniest place in Britain. Here we enjoy a celebratory pub stop by the coast — the perfect end to a day of countryside exploration, ancient history, and sweeping South Downs scenery.
🧭 Guide:
• Leader: GRAHAM
• Contact (hike day only): 07796 098487
🍽️ Food:
• Bring a packed lunch
• Pub visit after the hike (drinks optional)
🎒What to Bring
• Hiking boots/shoes
• Water (2 litres minimum)
• Packed lunch
• Waterproofs (jacket and trousers)
• Hat and gloves if cold
• Train tickets are arranged – just meet us at the meeting point
⚠️ Safety
Your guide is a trained hike leader and Outdoor Activity First Aider
❓ Want to Know More?
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