The joys of Eastbourne
Author, traveller and former Bike staffer invades Simon Weir the South Coast for an all-conqueringly short ride…
This route started simply enough: meeting a friend in Eastbourne for a quick ride to a café, but it rapidly developed into a cracking ride. It starts by setting off along the coast on the A259 to Pevensey (where William the Conqueror landed).
When the A259 meets the A27 go straight over the roundabout where you’ll pick up the minor road to Wartling. This is an absolute cracker of a road – quiet, smooth and open. Carry on past the Observatory Science Centre, which is well worth a look if you like a bit of Professor Brian Cox (or Patrick Moore) and you have the time to spare. They recommend that you pre-book your visit, to make the most of your time there (the-observatory.org).
At the A271 swing right to Battle then turn left about a mile and a half later to stay on the road. If you fancy a bit more Normaninvasion history cross Battle to the Abbey, built on the site of the Hastings battlefield. Otherwise carry on and pick up the A2100 headed for Sevenoaks and join the A21. Be sure to stop at the Route 1066 Café (route1066cafe.co.uk) and also pop into Conquerors Apparel while you’re there.
Continue north on the A21 and cross Hurst Green to pick up the B2099 to Ticehurst and Wadhurst – a brilliant road. When it meets the A267 turn left towards Mark Cross. Normally I try to stay off A-roads in the South East, but this one manages to deliver plenty of bends, usually without being choked with traffic like so many of the main roads down that end of the UK.
There is a four-mile stretch of necessary evil in the form of the A22 to bypass Hailsham, before picking up the B2247 at the Polegate roundabout (where the A22 meets the A27). Turn right at the lights in Polegate to go through the town centre and keep going on the minor road to Jevington. This goes past Filching Manor – home to an extraordinary motor museum, but it’s not one you can just pop into and I rarely remember to book a visit until I’m passing, by which time it’s too late. As a matter of interest most of the exhibits are in running order which, as far as motor museums go, is rare.
Turn left in Friston on the A259 towards Eastbourne for half a mile, then turn right following the signs for Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters. This is one of the classic South Coast roads, swooping across the Downs to the White Cliffs, swinging past Beachy Head. As per usual the advice is to keep a watch out for the inevitable cyclists riding two and three abreast, especially at the weekends. Eventually you’ll arrive back at the A259: turning right gets you to Eastbourne and the end of the ride.
‘This is an absolute cracker of a road – quiet, smooth and open’