VGW Section 5

About trip

FOREST ROW - POUNDGATE 106km from the suburbs of Croydon to the sea at Newhaven. On the way you will pass through a National Park, two areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a Heritage Coast, and 3 scheduled sites of national or regional interest. There are great views throughout the route, including two of the best in Britain: the Cuckmere meanders and the Seven Sisters. Nearly all of the route is on public rights of way, and goes mostly through open countryside and woodland. The route is well served by public transport, so you can easily walk it on day trips. A free printable description of the route is available at www.vanguardway.org.uk In this section, the VGW passes through some of its best and most isolated scenery with a route through the Ashdown Forest. It is actually mostly heathland, with abundant bracken and heather, and expansive views. From Forest Row the route climbs steadily, skirting the Royal Ashdown Forest Golf Course and passing near the delightful Hatch Inn, then drops into a valley at Newbridge, the heart of a pre-Roman and Roman iron industry. A stiff climb leads to Gills Lap, where you are in Winnie-the-Pooh country, then a level walk leads to Kings Standing and a descent across wild, open country to leave the Forest at Poundgate.