If I have a favourite place to drink coffee first thing in the morning, it is probably on top of Windover Hill near Wilmington (just outside Eastbourne in East Sussex). Granted, it takes a bit of getting there, but on a clear day and with far-reaching, 360-degree views, it is one of the best places to watch the sunrise. Flasks of coffee are, of course, optional. Better still, if you’ve made the effort to get to the top, well, you might as well enjoy one of the fabulous walks while you’re there.
Logistics
If you’re driving, getting there is relatively easy. Turn south off the A27 at Wilmington, drive through the village and park in the free car park just past the church and priory. You can see the Long Man on the face of the South Downs and Windover Hill is above him. You can also catch a bus from Eastbourne to Wilmington.
The Long Man at Wilmington
The Long Man is an enigmatic chalk figure carved into the north escarpment of the Downs, and holding two staves. Curiously, I always think he looks larger the further away you are, and you can certainly see him for miles around. His exact origins remain intriguingly uncertain, variously linked to ancient fertility symbols, Saxon boundary markers, giants or later ritual and folklore. No one knows whether he is prehistoric, Roman, or Medieval, but he was first recorded in a drawing in the early 18th century.
So there he stands, shrouded in mystery. The footpath gradually climbs right to his feet, where you’ll find an information board, and the first hint at the great views to come.
Up and over Windover Hill
From Long Man’s feet, you have options. Go left (as you face the Long Man) and follow the path until it doubles back on itself while going up. The first section isn’t too steep, but once you double back, it gets much steeper. It’s about 1 km to the top…but feels longer! When we walked it, it was also not waymarked. Alternatively, from Long Man’s feet, go right.
Again, this path meanders gently at first, but then you turn left off it, and it’s a tough climb to the top. It’s about the same distance either way but the second option is my favourite as you come to a series of prehistoric mounds. No disrespect to any occupants, but they make an excellent vanatge point for coffee. Check out those views (even in the mist).
Both routes from Long Man upwards eventually bring you to the South Downs Way and a gate.
6.5 km circular route via the Wealdway
Follow the South Downs Way straight ahead. There is a path that bears right at the top of the long valley (Long Barrow), but ignore that and keep going. Also, ignore the turning to your right about 2 km from the gate and keep going just a short distance longer. The South Downs Way then forks off to the right, and you go left (more straight on) and follow that path until it meets the Wealdway where you turn left on to it. If you stick to this path, it will take you all the way back to the feet of the Long Man via Folkington.
You can download the GPX file for this walk here: Windover Hill Walk
Shorter version
There is a slightly shorter version of this walk that we did. Full disclosure, it was not marked as a footpath, although it was clearly well-walked and cut across the top.
Climbing back up the Downs at Folkington to enjoy the view and find the Trig point, it was here we met the ponies. Not truly wild, I believe they are part of a conservation grazing scheme.
You can download the GPX file for this walk here:Windover Hill Walk Shorter Alternative
5 km circular via the South Downs Way
As with the other route, follow the South Downs Way straight on from the gate, but after 2 km, where there is a bridlepath doubling back to you on your right, you take this.
This takes you to Lullington Nature Reserve. Ignore the first turning to your left, but at the crossroads, take the turning to your right and follow it back up to the gate at the top.
You can download the GPX file for this walk here: Windover Hill Walk via SDW
Remember, with both routes, distances are from the gate at the top, so factor in an additional 2 km for getting up and down from there.
And afterwards
In my world, more coffee and breakfast always follow a sunrise walk, and you have lots of choices. There is a Cadence Café in nearby Litlington which opens at 9 am. A little further south you have the Saltmarsh Cafe at the Visitor Centre and Hiker’s Rest in East Dean.
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