Whatever you’re looking for, the Sussex coast offers rich pickings and this Brighton to Rottingdean 8 km circular walk is no exception, with cliffs, a windmill, a lot of history and some great views.
Getting there
There is a small car park just off the A259 in front of Roedean School which is free (the car park is free, not the school). Alternatively, there’s a great bus service along this stretch of coast which runs from east to west and back.
The Undercliff Walk
From the small Roedean car park, cross the main road towards the sea and head to the marina until you see the slip road to your left that takes you down onto the Brighton Undercliff Walk.
This section really does what it says on the tin, as you are right under the cliffs and on the seafront. The Undercliff Walk is 5 km long and runs from the Marina to Saltdean. It’s also open to cyclists. For this Rottingdean route, you follow it for about 3.5 km until you reach Rottingdean and Rottingdean Beach. You’ll see the Storytelling Throne, some painted crabs and the Rottingdean Terraces (it’s a little outdoor theatre-style area used for summer performances). Turn left here and up Rottingdean High Street.
Rottingdean
Rottingdean is worth a deviation and I had a good potter around before heading onwards. There are lots of helpful information boards which include a map and a number of points of interest and blue plaques plotted along the way. In particular, detour around Vicarage Lane and The Green and visit Kipling Gardens, The Grange and St Margaret’s church.
There are also lots of places to stop for a restorative coffee and a slice of cake before you head onward bound.
The windmill is ever-present in the background. It’s your next stop and you can get to it via Nevill Road or Hog Platt (both clearly marked on the information boards).
The windmill
Rottingdean windmill on Beacon Hill above Rottingdean is a bit of a beauty. She dates back to 1802 and as you might expect, she carries with her, her own legends. She also recently featured on ITV’s drama series Grace. She was a working mill until 1881 but having fallen into a state of dilapidation, Hilaire Belloc was one of those who supported her restoration in 1922. She’s been the subject of much further work since then and is now Grade II Listed. She is open to the public on various dates.
Beacon Hill
Beacon Hill which climbs up gently behind the windmill is a nature reserve. You can enjoy amazing views to the east of the South Downs and Rottingdean and of the sea and Brighton to your west. From here, you walk north along the track to Ovingdean.
Ovingdean to Castle Hill
You don’t see much of Ovingdean on this walk, because as you approach the village you turn left down Beacon Hill (the road) but the village dates back to Anglo-Saxon times. It’s a conservation area with an 11th century church and lots of history. At the bottom of Beacon Hill, you cross over Greenways and up to Castle Hill.
You can see the path clearly ahead and the climb is not as bad as it looks! Castle Hill is a nature reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Look out for the old sewer vent shaft that looks like a chimney. You’ll also see Roedean School ahead and then to your left as you skirt around the school until views of Brighton and the Marina come back into view. Then you just follow the path back to the car.
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