Wednesday 24 September 2014

Real Ale, Nordic Walking and the Delights of the South Downs National Park

Eastbourne and Wealden’s brand new Coast & Country Walking Festival starts this week from 27 September to 5 October, and we can't wait to see some of the highlights which range from foodie tours to Bloomsbury art.


Featuring more than 70 guided walks - most of which are free, the nine day festival will showcase the sights, sounds and tastes of the South Downs National Park, Sussex Weald and stunning Eastbourne coastline.
                          
Ranging from Nordic Walking to photography and even a brewery walking tour, foodie fans can browse the Farmers Market on the Proms and Pickles tour, or discover behind the scenes with tutored tastings on the Two Brewery Tour.  The fascinating full day tour stops at the Beachy Head Brewery, home of the ‘Legless Rambler’ and Long Man Brewery in Litlington – the team behind the charity Craft Pier beer, raising money for Eastbourne’s fire damaged pier.

Walks range from short family walks to strenuous day-long hikes with more than half of the walks on offer being completely free of charge.

For those seeking more of a challenge, Great Outdoors writer, Daniel Neilson, will take walkers on one of the more steep and strenuous free walks from the foot of the South Downs cliffs in Eastbourne to Beachy Head, Birling Gap, Friston Forest and past the mysterious Long Man of Wilmington, discussing a range of subjects including outdoor writing and walking gear.

Fans of Victorian architecture can enjoy a free Victorian Eastbourne walk and discover many historical gems along the way, or a free walk along Pevensey Levels sees the eerie ghost port remains of the continuing thousand year battle between man and sea.

In Hailsham, the opportunity to try out Nordic walking includes a special torchlit tour along the Cuckoo Trail.  A fitness sport with walking poles that uses 90% of skeletal muscles, Nordic walking is increasing in popularity, and a more progressive walk through the Seven Sisters Country Park should also offer a great challenge and some fantastic views.

A photographic tour along the Cuckoo Trail may provide great inspiration to begin a new hobby, or for art lovers, the Abbots and Artists tour is the perfect walk from the market town of Alfriston to the monastic grange at Alciston and its magnificent tithe barn, finishing with a visit to see paintings by the Bloomsbury group of artists at Berwick Church. 

Several seafront walks include the opportunity to raise funds for charity including Promenade of Pride on 28 September, raising money for the Royal British Legion, and Sussex Association for Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus SASBAH Stroll on 4 October.

The Coast & Country Walking Festival is organised by both Eastbourne Borough Council and Wealden District Council.

Free walks include:
  • On the Edge of Sussex (with Great Outdoors Magazine) 27 Sept
  • Fore Twos are Eight (Butts Brow to East Dean with Gill Mattock) 27 Sept
  • Bede’s Coastal Path (with Age Concern Walking for Health) 27 Sept
  • Victorian Eastbourne (with architect Richard Crook) 27 & 28 Sept
  • Downs, Cliff & Forest (Long Distance Walking Association) 28 Sept
  • Promenade of Pride (Royal British Legion sponsored walk) 28 Sept
  • Nordic Progression Walk at the Seven Sisters Country Park (with Peter Williamson) 28 Sept
  • Photographic Walk along the Cuckoo Trail (with Hailsham Trust) 29 Sept
  • Two for the Price of One (Eastbourne to Birling Gap with Gill Mattock) 29 Sept
  • Hampden Park Healthy Walk 30 Sept
  • Hailsham Nordic Walk Taster Session (with Nigel Bentley) 30 Sept & 3 Oct
  • Inns, Inning & the Ghost Port (Norman’s Bay & Pevensey Levels with Graham Kean) 2 Oct
  • Shinewater Healthy Walk 3 Oct
  • SASBAH Stroll sponsored walk 4 Oct
  • Abbots and Artists (Alfriston to Bloomsbury church paintings at Berwick, with Graham Kean) 5 Oct
Charged walks include:
  • Two Breweries Tour 27 & 28 Sept
  • Various seafront, Beachy Head, pub and history walks (with Harry Pope) 27/28 Sept & 4/5 Oct
  • To the Manor Bourne (Eastbourne Historic Old Town Group) 29 Sept
  • Where the Bourne Springs (Eastbourne Historic Old Town Group) 30 Sept
  • From Proms to Pickles (Eastbourne to East Dean Farmers Market) 1 Oct
  • Nordic Walk on Cuckoo Trail by Torchlight (with Nigel Bentley) 3 Oct
  • Berwick to Arlington Ramble (with Nigel Bentley) 5 Oct
Many walks are free of charge, however booking is required on all walks.  For more information or to book a place, visit www.SussexWalkingFestival.org.uk.

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