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Charleston Farm & Firle Beacon

South Downs Walk

Nat Park - South Downs

County/Area - East Sussex

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 4.6 miles / 7.5 km    Ascent - 820 feet / 248 metres

Time - 3 hours 10 minutes    Grade - easy/mod

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Ordnance Survey Explorer OL11Sheet Map1:25kBUY
Anquet OS Explorer OL11Digital Map1:25kBUY
Ordnance Survey Landranger 198Sheet Map1:50kBUY
Anquet OS Landranger 198Digital Map1:50kBUY

Walk Route Description

Photo from the walk - Charleston Farm & Firle Beacon
Click image to see photo description.

This East Sussex walk combines the wonderful views from the South Downs at Firle Beacon with the opportunity to visit Charleston Farm with its bohemian décor and associations with the Bloomsbury set. The start is the main car park in Firle village (grid ref. TQ471073). After parking follow the path across parkland aiming for Firle Tower.

Reaching a bridleway (grid ref. TQ477072)continue east through gate with the Firle Tower to your left. Continue on this bridleway passing Charleston Farm on your right. Reaching the barns, keep right and walk towards the Downs. Cross a track (grid ref. TQ492061) and continue southwards climbing onto the Downs. Reaching the top you meet the South Downs Way. Go right and continue up to the trig point on the summit of Firle Beacon (grid ref. TQ485059) to enjoy the view.

To return to Firle village continue west along the South Downs Way. After passing through a gate bear right (grid ref. TQ480059) to descend across the face of the escarpment on a bridleway. Reaching a T-junction (grid ref. TQ474068) go left and follow the track into Firle village.

Other walks nearby

Walk 2419 Southease, Ditchling Beacon & Lewesmod/hard17.0 miles
Walk 1038 Firle Beaconmoderate13.3 miles
Walk 1770 Southease or Rodmell to Falmereasy/mod6.8 miles
Walk 3574 Firle Beacon & Cuckmere Valleymoderate10.4 miles
Walk 3120 Alfriston to Rodmell by the South Downs Waymoderate9.0 miles
Walk 1015 Ouse Valley & Beddingham Hill from Newhaven Tide Millsmoderate12.0 miles
Walk 3575 High and Over White Horseeasy2.0 miles
Walk 1357 The Seven Sisters from Exceatmoderate14.0 miles
Walk 2684 Falmer to Pyecombe & Blackcap by South Downs Waymoderate8.8 miles
Walk 2227 East Dean Circularmoderate11.0 miles

Recommended Books & eBooks

Walks in the South Downs National Park

Walks in the South Downs National ParkGuidebook with 40 circular walks throughout the South Downs National Park, exploring the beautiful chalk hills between Eastbourne and Winchester. The walks range from under 5 miles to 11 miles, including Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters, Ditchling Beacon and hundreds of prehistoric sites. Accessible all year, but wild flowers best in spring.
More information

The South Downs Way

The South Downs WayGuidebook to walking the South Downs Way National Trail, a 100 mile (160km) route between Winchester and Eastbourne through the South Downs National Park, described in both directions over 12 stages. Easy walking on ancient and historical tracks, taking in wooded areas, delightful river valleys and pretty villages. With 1:25K OS map booklet.
More information

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