Great Roads You Must Ride In the South East
A trip from the north of East Sussex to the coast and back
This is a great route for a summer evening jaunt or a midday winter blast. The Downs can be busy on a glorious sunday afternoon (remember them?) so pick your moment. It includes fast A roads, sweeping clear B roads, twisty back routes and even some dual carriageway!
Start on the A26 anywhere south of Tunbridge Wells. The first part of the route is fairly fast and busy A road with limited overtaking opportunities until south of Uckfield, then it becomes more lively.
There’s a decent quick stretch on the Uckfield bypass to blow off any cobwebs, then at the roundabout where the A26 heads for Brighton, carry on towards Eastbourne following the A22. A good few miles of quick road here until you approach Lower Dicker after a long straight, unfortunately and rather inconveniently now limited to 50mph. Turn right by the transport café where the sign indicates Michelham Priory.
Aha!...national speed limit sign, no traffic and a long straight with the Downs ahead of you...follow this to Upper Dicker, turn right at the T junction then the view opens out on both sides, with the road a fine mixture of tight bends and decent straights. Pass Arlington reservoir on your left and over the railway line at Berwick, you eventually come to a roundabout that meets the A27.
Follow the road across here with Drusilla’s zoo on the left, down to the picturesque village of Alfriston. It’s normally mobbed with coach parties but not a bad spot for an ice-cream and a breather.
Carry on south from here with the Cuckmere on your left, the road dips and dives eventually spiralling left and then heading up to the top of the Downs. On the left at the summit is a car park at High and Over point, a great place for a short stroll to check out the view back north towards the Weald and south to Cuckmere Haven.
A long straight takes you down into Seaford, which I am sure is a magical place, but I press on, bear left and follow the signs for Eastbourne and the lure of the open road!
Now on the A259, the route drops down towards Cuckmere Haven, there’s a pub on the right at the bottom of the hill, cross the bridge then take the next left that follows the meandering river with the forest on your right.
This is the bit of the route to slow down, take your time and enjoy the scenery! To the left will appear the White Horse, carved in the chalk hills to commemorate Queen Victoria’s coronation.
Keep on the winding road that hugs the contours of the Downs through the hamlet of Litlington then Lullington, straight on towards Wilmington. As the road rises to crest the hill, the Long Man can be seen to your right, this is a great piece of the ride as the view opens up to reveal a huge slice of rural sussex. The origins of this chalk feature are unclear but it’s an impressive local landmark.
Don’t switch off too much as there always are a few dozy drivers drifting across the road towards you as they gape at the scenery. After Wilmington itself, you meet the A27 again, cross the staggered junction and head back into the quiet and unspoilt countryside for one last blast.
Keep on the predominant road heading north with the woods on the right. This stretch is always fairly quiet with some tight bends and decent straights, just keep an eye out by the farm gates for deposits from our four legged friends. At the next T junction turn right, this will see you heading towards and past Arlington Stadium then onto the A22 dual carriageway.
At the Boship roundabout, follow the route across towards Heathfield, the A267, a good fast sweeping route, not as busy as the A22. When you reach Horam take a right at the bend and stop at Wessons café in Horam for tea and burgers. One of the few bikers’ haunts in this region, the café also stocks some kit and other motorcycling paraphernalia.
Suitably refreshed, jump back on the A267 for some more A road action. Bear left towards Cross-in-Hand at the next T junction. Take your pick of routes home from here, the Mayfield by-pass then onto Tunbridge Wells and Kent or do a left after Five Ashes and return via Rotherfield. Total miles; never checked, time taken; from an hour to an afternoon!