Sussex
Free cycle maps listed at bottom of page.
East and West Sussex offer a spectacular array of cycling. Inland there are fantastic and gentle traffic-free trails through woodlands, perfect for all the family. These contrast with the thrilling roller-coaster rides of the High Weald, and the stunning views from the South Downs Way. The coastal routes take you through towns and cities, along promenades and cliff top paths. East and West Sussex have something for everyone, offering a fantastic variety of rides. See below for route inspiration. Alternatively, take a look at our suggested Day Rides in Sussex or Easy Rides in South East England.
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| Camber Sands | Brighton seafront |
Open routes
National Route 2
National Route 2 of the National Cycle Network in Sussex is open from Worthing to Rye. Brighton to Hastings via Polegate is a part of the Downs and Weald Cycle Route. Worthing to Chichester is still under development. When complete National Route 2 will connect Dover in Kent with St Austell in Cornwall.
National Route 20
National Route 20 is open and links Crawley with Brighton. It forms a part of the Downs and Weald Cycle Route. The route links National Trust property at Nymans Gardens with small lanes and villages of the West Sussex Weald. For more demanding off-road cycling, there is a link at Pyecombe to the South Downs Way.
Downs and Weald Cycle Route
The Downs and Weald Cycle Route (National Route 21) runs south from Greenwich to Gatwick and Crawley, then through East Grinstead to Heathfield and Eastbourne. The Forest Way from East Grinstead to Groombridge, and the Cuckoo Trail from Heathfield to Eastbourne are the gems of this route.
The Forest Way takes you deep into the countryside along a flat tree-lined track from East Grinstead to Groombridge. This former railway line is suitable for both walking and cycling plus a number of trails lead off the route if you are interested in exploring the area further on foot. The Forest Way leaflet is available to download. The Cuckoo Trail is 11 miles long and joins the towns of Heathfield and Polegate with a 3-mile extension to Eastbourne. The Cuckoo Trail route information can be downloaded. The Cuckoo Trail features unspoilt countryside, historic buildings, attractive villages and parks.
National Route 21 forms part of the Avenue Verte London-Paris route, which will eventually provide a traffic free route for cyclists and walkers. Download cycle routes along National Cycle Network Route 21/Avenue Verte from the East Sussex County Council website. For more information on the project visit the website of the Franco British Cycle Plan.
Downs Link-Shoreham-by-Sea to Guildford
The Downs Link is a 37-mile route for walkers, cyclists and horse riders. The bridlepath runs north from Shoreham along the east bank of the River Adur on a former railway route providing a mostly traffic-free exploration of the hidden tranquility and natural beauty of the Low Weald. As its name suggests, the path links the South Downs in West Sussex to the North Downs in Surrey. See our online mapping for more details of the route or download a guide from the West Sussex County Council website.
The Centurion Way (Regional Route 88)
Regional Route 88 links Chichester with West Dean, using the path of the former Chichester-Midhurst railway line. The predominantly traffic-free route provides a fantastic way to explore the countryside around Chichester, as well as providing a link to small roads accessing the South Downs Way. The route continues south from Chichester as far as Pagham Harbour Visitor Centre and this is phase 1 of the intended Chichester-Selsey cycle route.
Download the Centurion way leaflet from the West Sussex County Council website.
South Downs Way (Regional Route 89)
The 99-mile long South Downs Way follows the old routes and droveways along the chalk escarpment and ridges of the South Downs between Eastbourne and Winchester. Take a challenge and tackle the entire route or go for a day trip and you will be rewarded with a wealth of stunning views, attractive wildlife, fine pubs and pretty villages. Detailed information can be found on the South Downs Way National Trails website.
Route development
Sustrans' Connect2 was the winner of The People's £50 Million Lottery Giveaway. Sussex hosts two Connect2 projects: Hastings to Bexhill and Shoreham to Worthing.
Hastings to Bexhill
This Connect2 project will provide a much needed traffic-free route between Hastings and Bexhill providing cyclists and walkers with an attractive route close to the sea and away from the busy A259. It will become one of the highlights of National Route 2. The County Council is undertaking design and construction work, although the actual construction is currently scheduled for 2011. This is partly due to the concerns of the Environment Agency about the stability of the new sea defences. There was significant storm damage to one section of the route last winter and the Environment Agency want to continue monitoring the defences over the next two years. Find out more about the scheme on the Connect2 website.
Shoreham to Worthing
An excellent new seafront route is now open through Lancing. This is a significant improvement to National Route 2 and means that a continuous coastal route is now available between Worthing and Brighton (with the exception of one mile inland at Shoreham). The County Council is to be congratulated for the quality of the route and for the substantial investment in upgrading the footpath for walking and cycling. The work included the widening of the footway beside the busy A259 coastal road. Download a Shoreham to Worthing leaflet (pdf).
The Shoreham Connect2 project was also a winner in The Peoples £50million Lottery Giveaway. The vision for this scheme is a high quality promenade route from the beach to the railway station, including a new bridge across the harbour. A project manager has been appointed by the county council and Sustrans has attended an early planning session. Some work in the town centre may take place next year, but the main bridge project will take longer.
Worthing promenade now open for cycling
Worthing promenade is open to cyclists for a trial period. The promenade will benefit leisure cyclists wishing to enjoy the delights of Worthing seafront without having to contend with the traffic on Marine Parade. Cyclists and pedestrians are not separated and pedestrians have priority. If the trial is successful, this will become a part of National Route 2.
Crawley to Brighton route now open
There is now a signed and continuous route between Crawley and Brighton which will serve cyclists wanting to take the most direct route to the coast in safety.
Pagham Harbour to Selsey
A planning application has been submitted to Chichester District Council for the second phase of work on Regional Route 88. This will fill a much needed gap in the network as presently Selsey only has a single road running in and out of it. This road carries a lot of holiday traffic to some of the largest caravan parks in Europe as well as commercial and agricultural vehicles. If the planning application is successful, the next stage would be to apply for funding to build the link which would provide a vital recreational and utility link on the Manhood Peninsular.
Brighton - Cycling Demonstration Town
Sustrans have worked with Brighton and Hove City Council on the design and installation of improved access ramps at the northern entrance to Hove Recreation Ground and the eastern entrance to Hove Park. These ramps are part of the bigger picture to implement Regional Route 82 from Hove to Hangleton and from there onto the South Downs via the Dyke Railway Trail. The southern section of this route is at the design and consultation stage at present and will be one of the headline Cycling Demonstration Town projects.
In other work with Brighton and Hove City Council, Sustrans are reviewing Route 20 with the aim of bringing it up to date with recent and planned infrastructure changes in Brighton ready for Brighton and Hove's 2009 Year of Walking and Cycling. The Council is also introducing advanced stop lines at 28 light controlled junctions in the area.
Burgess Hill
In Mid Sussex there is a newly formed group progressing the Green Circle concept which will put a ring around Burgess Hill providing circular walking and cycling routes around the town as well as spokes into the town centre.
Free cycle maps for Sussex
Cycling & Walking to Gatwick - Gatwick Airport, tel: 01293 503822
Centurion Way - download from West Sussex CC or tel: 01243 642105
Salterns Way Cycle Route - download from Chichester Harbour Conservancy or tel: 01243 512301
Shoreham to Worthing - West Sussex CC, tel: 01243 642105 or download (pdf)
Brighton & Hove Cycle Map - Brighton & Hove City Council, tel: 01273 293813 or download as a guide and map (pdf)
Seafront to the Downs (Regional Route 82) - download from Brighton & Hove City Council or tel: 01273 293813
New cycle maps
Cycle East Sussex Coastal Routes - six leaflets covering routes on and around National Route 2 between Brighton and Camber Sands and five leaflets covering National Route 21 between Eastbourne and East Grinstead. Available from East Sussex County Council, Sustrans, tel: 0845 113 0065 or download in pdf format below:
Cycle East Sussex Brighton to Camber overview (routes 1-5)
- Seven Sisters off-road Circular (1)
- Pevensey Levels and Castles Circular (2)
- 1066 Circular (3)
- Rye and Winchelsea Circular (4)
- Rye and Romney Marsh Circular (5)
Cycle East Sussex Eastbourne to East Grinstead overview (routes 1-5)
- Cuckoo Trail Low Weald Circular (1)
- Cuckoo Trail Pevensey Levels (2)
- Cuckoo Trail High Weald Circular (3)
- Ashdown Forest to Crowborough (4)
- Forest Way - Ashdown Forest Circular (5)
Sustrans have produced the above set of cycle maps in conjunction with East Sussex County Council. These are available to download in A4 format above, or from the ESCC website. Please feel free to give us feedback. We'd like to know if you like the format and if the file sizes are manageable. Would you like to see more publications like this? Do you have any suggestions for improvement? Email oxford@sustrans.org.uk