Guided walking holiday for solos - South down and Seven Sisters

What you get on a Secret Hills Break

• Hotel bed and breakfast– en suite two nights/ three nights if the holiday falls on a Bank Holiday – Spring Bank or August Bank Holiday
• Dinner- three course.
• Lunch- except first day
• Sole Occupancy
• Personal service
• Expert guiding- friendly, local guides that know the area superbly well
• Transport to walks start and finish as needed
• Flexibility
• No single supplement
• A social, relaxed approach
• Full joining details prior to your holiday
• Our administration support from the point of booking to you joining the holiday

Hotel and Meals

We stay at the Hydro Hotel in Eastbourne, close to the sea front with excellent views over the English Channel.

The hotel is within easy walking distance from the centre of Eastbourne and has lovely en suite rooms and spacious public areas. Parking is either in the small hotel car park or off road outside the hotel.

Check in time – you should be able to access your room by 2.30pm.

We eat in the hotels dining room – three courses. Dress code is smart casual.

We have lunch at one of the South Downs lovely country pubs.

Itinerary

This is a two and half day walking weekend, starting at 2.30pm on Friday afternoon from the hotel reception.

We walk on Saturday and Sunday and finish on Sunday afternoon at 4.00pm.

If you have booked an additional night’s accommodation, note there is no walk on the Monday.

SAMPLE WALKS

A typical itinerary might include the following sample walks but we may change these according to the group’s ability and prevailing weather conditions.

Walk One- Friday afternoon- starts at 2.30pm – please meet at 2pm ready to walk.

3.5-mile circular walk at Seaford Head, with excellent views across to the Seven Sisters to where we will be walking the next day, and an opportunity to hunt for fossils on the beach. From the Cuckmere Inn at Exceat bridge, we walk via Chyngton Farm and Hope Bottom to the beach at Hope Gap, then head inland via part of the Vanguard Way to Exceat for a drink at the Cuckmere Inn before returning to the hotel.

Saturday

10-mile circular walk taking the South Downs Way along the famous Seven Sisters chalk cliffs, on Sussex’s unspoilt Heritage Coast. The route takes in Birling Gap, the meanders of the Cuckmere River and the beech wood of Friston Forest.

Sunday

7.5-mile circular walk from Wilmington, taking in the historic chalk figure of the Long Man of Wilmington. We explore Lullington Heath National Nature Reserve (a rare habitat of chalk heathland), before heading west via one of the smallest churches in England to Alfriston for lunch at one of this iconic village’s historic establishments. We complete the route through arable fields and an ancient churchyard.

Equipment and weather

We cannot control the weather but we can manage the conditions – so rely on us to change the programme if weather conditions require it. The comfort and safety of our walkers is paramount. Having the right equipment is one way of managing adverse weather conditions so please note the list below.

• Walking boots obligatory, no trainers. Walking shoes designed for drier weather walking acceptable but only in drier conditions
• Good walking socks
• It is also important you do not wear jeans to walk in as these become very heavy when it rains
• Wet-weather gear – good waterproof jacket, over trousers if you wear these
• We recommend ‘layers’ of clothing so you can add/remove accordingly
• Small rucksack, sufficient volume (minimum 25 litre recommended) to take all the above
• Rucksack cover (or internal plastic bags) for wet weather
• Water (and flask recommended Oct – Apr)
• A walking pole is useful if you normally use one, but we can lend you one
• Hat and gloves
• Suntan cream
• A hat/cap for wet weather and sun
• Sunglasses
• Paracetamol in case you suffer any aches and pains
• Camera

View full holiday details here: Guided Walking for Solos and Singles in the South Downs (secrethillswalking.co.uk)

From rolling hills to bustling market towns, our solos guided walking holiday introduces the South Downs National Park’s landscapes which cover 1,600km2 of breath taking views and hidden gems. A rich tapestry of wildlife, landscapes, tranquillity and visitor attractions, weave together a story of people and place in harmony.

Our guided walking for solos programme is designed to give the walker the best of this rolling downs country – and we have chosen some fabulous walks for you – walking in the natural beauty, close to the sea and on the South Downs hills.

We walk on the first afternoon, then two more days. We lunch in one of the historic country inns in the Sussex countryside. This holiday is run by local guides who have a vast knowledge of this beautiful area. We stay at the Hydro Hotel, overlooking the sea at Eastbourne.

Walking is moderate, some ascending and descending – there are the seven sisters walk after all, and you should be walking fit.

We pride ourselves on how we create a social feel- so join us on this sociable active holiday. w

We organise everything for you – from the minute you arrive to when you depart.

The holiday cost is £ 560 with no extra single supplements, which includes your own en-suite room.

Join us on this sociable active holiday where we meet as strangers and depart as friends