Over hill and under vale at Frog Firle Farm
Looping over the top of Cradle Hill and down over Hindover Hill to Litlington, this walk takes in great views of secluded farmland and river views as well as a diversion to the village of Litlington.
A varied walk with beautiful countryside views
Spot Canada Geese that feed on the water meadows, birds and insects singing amongst the shrub on the hills, and wildflowers growing in the chalk grassland.
Map
Start:
High and Over car park, Alfriston Road, Alfriston, grid ref: TQ509011
1
From the car park cross Alfriston road and turn right, following the road to a stile with a National Trust sign for Frog Firle Farm. Then follow the field boundary round to the left walking in a westerly direction for about one mile (1.6km).
2
You will go through two field gates and possibly more electric field gates when sheep are grazing.
View west along Cradle Hill
The northerly slopes of Cradle Hill are highly valued for chalk downland flowers and associated insect and bird life. Listen out for birds singing amongst the scrub and look north to get a view of the new vineyard at Rathfinny Farm, established in 2011.
3
When you get to a gate leading onto a hard-surfaced path, turn right. The path, named The Comp, leads from Seaford to Bo Peep hill on the South Downs way. Walk about 110yd (100m) until a footpath sign on the right leads to a narrow path going downhill through the scrub to some steps. Continue along this path leading east until you come out onto more open downland where you follow the path along the valley side.
Flower-rich chalk grassland
Fragrant and common spotted orchids as well as the rare burnt-tip orchid can be seen here in summer if you look carefully for purple flecks amongst the grassy slopes. Even in autumn you can see dark purple devil's bit scabious and the paler field scabious in the glades along the valley sides.
4
As you come to the end of the valley you will start walking up hill to a gate to the Alfriston Road. Carefully cross this road to the gate opposite and continue walking straight on until you get a view of the river. This will give you views across the valley to Friston Forest and also south towards the sea. Now head left. There is a well-trodden path across the grass between the gate you have come from and a gate at the bottom of the field so head down hill.
Cuckmere river valley
Enjoy the view towards the river and Friston Forest.
5
From the gate you will continue straight on in a north easterly direction, with Frog Firle Farm barns down below you on your left and the river bending round on the right. There is a gap in the hedgerow as you approach the river and a stile to your left up on the man-made river bank (levee). Go over the stile and follow the levee along the river to the next bridge.
Frog Firle Farm barns
The barns were built in 1800. The buildings are now used for field trip visits and the yards are still used for the working farm.
6
You will come to a kissing gate by a bridge over the river. Cross the bridge and if you wish to go to Litlington village turn left and immediately right to a tarmac path leading to the Litlington road. Here you can find a couple of cafés and a pub nearby on your right.
Litlington Bridge
From the bridge, you can see Alfriston village church to the north and fish in the river at low tide. You may be lucky enough to see a kingfisher or listen to reed warblers in the reeds by the riverside. In autumn and winter, you often see and hear Canada geese flying over to find new places to graze or rest.
7
From Litlington Bridge, walk on the opposite side of the river leading south (the opposite direction to Alfriston church) along the levee. This should take you past the reeds to another kissing gate. Follow the river meander round to the next bridge.
The White Horse
As you approach the next bridge, New Bridge, you should get a good view of the Litlington White Horse chalk figure on High and Over hill. It was first carved out of the chalk hillside in 1836.
8
Go over the stile, cross New Bridge and head up the chalk track ahead and slightly to your right. At the top of this short track turn left to walk along the ridge heading west, parallel with the river. You will get to the field gate at the bottom of High and Over Hill that you came through on the way down. You are heading towards the White Horse so before you get to the gate by Alfriston road you need to head left on a path which leads right to the top of the hill.
Bronze Age burial mound
Just before the gate at the top of the field you will see a man-made burial mound. This dates from the Bronze Age, about 3,500 years ago, and has been plundered so has a hollow middle. If you stand on top of the mound and look across the road, you can see a dew pond that was used by farmers to water their stock as they drove them over Hindover Hill towards Seaford.
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 just above the White Horse chalk figure which you can see just on the left if you go through another kissing gate and down a few steps towards the sea views to the south. To get back to the car park just retrace your steps going left at the fork in the path.
Cuckmere meanders
The viewpoint allows you a closer glimpse of the cut-off meanders of the river Cuckmere and is a perfect place for a rest and reflection on the walk.
End:
High and Over car park, Alfriston Road, Alfriston, grid ref: TQ509011
