Sussex

Hill and vale walk at Frog Firle Farm

Looping over Cradle and Hindover Hills, this walk takes in great views of secluded farmland, as well as a diversion to the quaint village of Litlington. Spot Canada geese that feed on the water meadows, birds and insects singing among the shrub on the hills, and wild flowers growing in the chalk grassland.

Near to

Cuckmere Valley

Start point

High and Over car park, Alfriston. Grid ref: TQ509011

Trail information

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Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 4 (km: 6.4)

Duration2 hours

Dog friendly***

*This trail includes some slopes and uneven terrain. For further details, please see Terrain section.
**This trail may be unsuitable for some people with reduced mobility. For further details, please see section marked Access.
***Dogs are welcome, with conditions. For further details, please see section marked Facilities.

Address
Alfriston Road, Alfriston, East Sussex BN25 3QH
Directions via Google Maps
By train
The closest stations to the start of this walk are Seaford (3.5 miles/5.6km away) and Berwick (4 miles/6.4km away).
On foot
The Cuckmere Valley lies on the Vanguard Way, a long-distance footpath that begins in Croydon and ends in Newhaven, and is also close to the South Downs Way, which runs from Winchester to Eastbourne. The nearest place to High and Over on both paths is the River Cuckmere, below the White Horse chalk figure. High and Over car park is just above the White Horse chalk figure, and pathways leading there are on this walk.
By bus
The number 12A bus stops at Milberg Road in Seaford for access to Frog Firle Farm. The Cuckmere Valley Ramblerbus number 47 stops at High and Over car park for access to Frog Firle Farm and Cradle Valley.
By road
Take the B2108 (Alfriston Road) between Seaford (A259) and Alfriston (A27).
Dogs
Dogs are welcome, but must be kept on a lead where signs indicate it. Please also clean up any dog litter.
Car park
The car park at High and Over is free to everyone.
Toilet
There are no toilets on this route, but you can find some nearby at Seven Sisters car park (grid ref: TV514993) and Alfriston car park (grid ref: TQ520032).
Picnic area
There are picnic tables near the car park, but picnickers are also welcome on the open downland. Please take your litter home with you.
Pub
Pubs can be found in both Alfriston and Litlington. Please note: these are not managed by the National Trust.
Total stages: 9
Total stages: 9
Start point
High and Over car park, Alfriston. Grid ref: TQ509011
Stage 1
From the car park at High and Over, cross Alfriston Road and turn right, following the road to a stile and a National Trust sign for Frog Firle Farm. Climb over the stile and follow the field boundary round to the left for about a mile (1.6km).
Stage 2
You'll pass through two field gates (and possibly some electric ones if sheep are grazing).
Stage 3
You'll arrive at a gate leading onto a hard-surfaced path. Named The Comp, this path leads from Seaford to Bo Peep Hill. Turn right onto the path and keep walking until you come to a sign for a footpath on the right. Follow this narrow path downhill through the scrub to some steps. Go down the steps and continue east along the path until you come out onto some open downland. Follow the path along the valley side.
Stage 4
As you come to the end of the valley, you'll start walking uphill to a gate. Go through the gate and carefully cross Alfriston Road. Head through the gate opposite and continue walking straight on until you come to a viewpoint. From here, you can look across the valley to Friston Forest and also south towards the sea. Afterwards, head left along the well-trodden path towards the gate at the bottom of the field.
Stage 5
After passing through the gate, continue straight on in a north-easterly direction, with the barns of Frog Firle Farm below you on the left, and the river bending round on the right. As you approach the river, you'll see a stile on your left, up on the artificial river bank (levee). Go over the stile and follow the levee along the river to the next bridge.
Stage 6
When you get to the bridge, cross it. If you wish to explore Litlington village, turn left and immediately right onto a tarmac path that leads to the Litlington road. Once you've finished in Litlington, return to the bridge.
Stage 7
From Litlington Bridge, follow the path that leads south (in the opposite direction to Alfriston church) along the levee. This will take you past the reeds to a kissing gate. Go through the kissing gate and follow the river as it meanders round to the next bridge.
Stage 8
Go over the stile, cross New Bridge and head up the chalk track, which veers slightly to the right. At the end of this short track, turn left to walk along the ridge heading west, parallel with the river. You'll soon arrive at the field gate at the bottom of High and Over Hill that you came through on the way down. Before you get to the gate next to Alfriston Road, you need to head left on a path that leads to the top of the hill.
Bronze Age burial mound
Just before the gate at the top of the field, you'll see an ancient burial mound. This dates from the Bronze Age, about 3,500 years ago, and has been plundered so it has a hollow middle. If you stand on top of the mound and look across the road, you'll be able to see a dew pond that was used by farmers to water their stock as they drove them over Hindover Hill towards Seaford.
Stage 9
Go through the kissing gate and along a narrow path between the bushes, taking a left turn at two forks in the path. This will lead you to the viewpoint at High and Over. To get back to the car park, just retrace your steps.
End point
High and Over car park, Alfriston. Grid ref: TQ509011
Trail map
Over hill and under vale at Frog Firle Farm route map | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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