South Downs and Seven Sisters – Five days

Its all about meeting new friends. Each holiday is designed to be a friendly, relaxed and stress free occasion. Talking is as important as walking on Secrethills Walking Holidays. We don’t go in for discos, we may use an event that is taking place in the area we are in to boost the weekends activities – but its good, old fashioned chat that makes our short breaks successful.

“Make new friends that turn into old friends” – that’s our motto.

You might be surprised by what fun you’ll have with people who are older or younger than you during a holiday with us, and that’s exactly the sort of atmosphere we encourage; people find it very rewarding. It doesn’t matter what your reasons for traveling with us are, we’ve had people who are single, divorced or widowed, people who have partners that are unable to travel, and people who can’t holiday with their friends anymore as they’ve all got married themselves. There are people who want to make friends, see sights, and experience something completely new. Whatever your reason, we’ll welcome you with open arms and our friendly hosts will help you to get the most out of your holiday.

Don’t worry if this is the first time you have ventured to join a group holiday – its always a bit daunting – but we will look after you and ensure that you get used to being amongst friends again. Trust us to to get you back into the swing of things.

Oh – by the way – its not a dating agency – over the years we have had people meet and fall in love – but that’s just chance. Our aim is that you make like minded friends – just relax and enjoy.

Just arrive and enjoy.

To reserve a place on any of our holidays, please follow these simple instructions.

Reserve online  – once you have chosen your holiday, click on Proceed Booking and complete the online form. If you have difficulty reserving online, please  contact us (tel: 01694 723600, email: info@secrethillswalking.co.uk) and we will assist you to complete your booking.

Payment

Please note we cannot take credit/debit card details over the phone. You may pay by the following methods when you book online…

• Paypal – if you have a Paypal account, simply click on the link to the Paypal website.
• Credit / Debit card – we use Paypal to host our credit/debit cards facility because it is a very secure system. So if you want to pay with a card, simply click on this option which will take you to our page on the PayPal website. Check in there as a “Guest” to enable your card payment. You do not need to have a Paypal account for this transaction.
• We will also accept a Bank Transfer – you will find our account details on the booking form.
• Finally, we will also accept a cheque payable to Secret Hills Walking Holidays and sent to: Secret Hills Walking Holidays, 35 Sandford Avenue, Church Stretton, Shropshire, SY6 6BH

Please note than an initial deposit is required with each booking regardless of which payment method you choose. Your booking will be accepted when your payment (deposit or full balance) is received. Note – if you are reserving a holiday within a month of the start date then the full amount is due immediately and no deposit should be paid.

It is important that you read the terms and conditions before you sign the booking form.

Note – if you are reserving a holiday within a month of the start date then the full amount is due immediately and no deposit should be paid.

Here are a selection of walks that may happen, there are many others to choose from though.

3.5-miles circular walk with fantastic views of the chalk cliffs that we will be walking along the next day, and an opportunity to hunt for fossils on the beach.  Circular walk at Seaford Head, with excellent views across to the Seven Sisters where we will be walking the next day, and an opportunity to hunt for fossils on the beach. From the Cuckmere Inn at Exceatbridge, we walk via Chyngton Farm and Hope Bottom to the beach at Hope Gap, then head inland via part of the Vanguard Way to Exceat for a drink at the Cuckmere Inn before returning to the hotel.

10-miles circular walk, taking in the famous Seven Sisters chalk cliffs, the meanders of the Cuckmere River and the beech wood of Friston Forest, finishing with drinks in the charming village of East Dean.  Circular walk, taking the South Downs Way along the famous Seven Sisters chalk cliffs, Sussex’s unspoilt Heritage Coast. There is an opportunity for drinks / comfort break at Birling Gap after 3 miles. We have lunch after 6 miles at the Cuckmere Inn at Exceatbridge. The route then takes in the meanders of the Cuckmere River, and the beech wood of Friston Forest, finishing with drinks at the locally popular Tiger Inn in the charming village of East Dean.

10-miles circular walk from Firle village to Charleston Farmhouse and Berwick church (both associated with the Bloomsbury Group of artists, writers and intellectuals).After lunch in Alfriston, we enjoy far-reaching views from the South Downs Way. Circular walk starting in Firle village. Walking eastbound underneath the South Downs escarpment, we continue past Firle Place manor house and Charleston Farmhouse (where the Bloomsbury Group of artists, writers and intellectuals once lived). We pass through the historic villages of Alciston and Berwick to the ancient village of Alfriston for lunch. We then walk westwards on the ridge of the South Downs Way to Firle Beacon, enjoying far-reaching views before descending back into Firle for afternoon drinks.    

9.5-miles circular walk from Alfriston, taking in the historic chalk figure of the Long Man of Wilmington, plus the villages of Folkington and Jevington. We explore Lullington Heath and visitone of the smallest churches in England.  Circular walk from Alfriston village, taking in the historic chalk figure of the Long Man of Wilmington. We continue on the South Downs to Combe Hill Neolithic Camp via Folkington, Wannock and Willingdon. After lunch in the charming village of Jevington, we explore Lullington Heath National Nature Reserve (a rare habitat of chalk heathland), before heading west via one of the smallest churches in England and back for afternoon drinks at one of Alfriston’s historic establishments.

 7-miles – Our walk on the last day is a circular Downland walk from Lewes (including the historic castle and priory), to Malling Down and the ancient hill fort of Mount Caburn. Circular walk from the medieval castle in Lewes, the county town of East Sussex. We head past the ruins of Lewes Priory towards the impressive chalk hills of Malling Down, with its views of the town and the expanse of Low Weald farmland. We continue to the ancient hill fort of Mount Caburn, overlooking the South Downs, the River Ouse and surrounding meadows. We head back through a wide, grassy valley. After lunch in Lewes to celebrate our final day’s walking. We finish around 2.30pm.  

We walk between 8 and 10 miles per day. We walk at a steady pace, we don’t rush. We want you to enjoy our lovely scenery – this countryside is a walkers paradise with good paths and an ever changing landscape.

Paths are well walked and maintained, sometimes on grassy slopes. We walk through forests and these paths can be muddy. Some steep ascents and descents but we will take those gently.