The Villages Around Rottingdean

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Our view

"Visit a picturesque village famous for its artistic and literary associations on this exhilarating coastal and downland walk."

Walk directions

From the car park cross the A259 and turn right towards Brighton, following the path parallel to the road. At the metalled road on the left, go past the barrier and a sign warning pedestrians not to use the Undercliff in bad weather. Follow the road down to the Undercliff and head east towards Rottingdean for about 2 miles (3.2km), passing beside a toilet block. Continue on the path until you reach a group of buildings, including Highcliff Court.

Turn left into the village and pass the White Horse pub on the left. Cross the A259 into Rottingdean High Street. Pass Ye Olde Black Horse, Nevill Road and Steyning Road and continue along the street. As you approach The Green, look for The Dene and then Kipling Gardens on the right.

Follow the road round to the right and to a T-junction, then keep right and head back into Rottingdean village. Pass the war memorial and the village pond and look for the church on the left. Pass the Plough Inn and walk back down to the High Street. Turn left, then right into Nevill Road, climb quite steeply and bear right into Sheep Walk. Look to the right here for a good view of the village and its church.

Keep the windmill on your left and, forking left almost immediately, follow the bridleway along the downland ridge, carrying straight on at all subsequent path intersections. Woodingdean can be glimpsed in the distance, and the buildings of Ovingdean are seen in the foreground. The outline of Roedean School is visible against the horizon. Continue to a road named Beacon Hill, turn left and walk down to the junction.

Cross over to a gate, then go along the fence to a second gate. Follow the fence on the right which bends right. Soon after, cross to the other side at a gate and continue in the same direction uphill along the fence. Pass a private path to Roedean School and continue beside the wire fence to a stile in the field corner. Turn right and skirt the pasture to turn right over the next stile. Descend steeply towards Ovingdean church, cutting off the field corner to reach a stile. Cross into the field and keep the churchyard wall hard by you on the right.

Cross a stile to the lychgate and walk down to the junction. Turn left and, when the road bends right at Bulstrode Farm, go straight on along a wide concrete track, following the bridleway at a fork. Once well beyond the farm buildings, keep left at the fork, then immediately left again at the next fork a few paces beyond. Just after the track swings sharply to the left and is about to go up through a gate, keep forward alongside the fence on the left. The car park by the A259 looms into view now. When you reach the road, by the entrance to Roedean School, cross the grass to the car park.

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Location

Nearest postcode:

Additional information

Terrain - Busy village streets, downland paths and tracks, several stiles

Landscape - Rolling downland extending to the sea

Dog friendliness - On lead in Rottingdean and under careful control in places

Parking - Car park at Roedean Bottom, at junction of A259 and B2066

Toilets en route - The Undercliff and Park Road, Rottingdean

Walks in East Sussex Dog-friendly walks in East Sussex

About the walk

Although just along the coast from Brighton, Rottingdean preserves its village character. It is one of seven Saxon settlements on this stretch of the Sussex coast, all ending in ‘dean’. The word ‘dean’ or ‘dene’ means hollow or valley of the South Downs. ‘The Deans’ is the collective name for them...

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Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more

About the area

East Sussex is a land of stately homes, castles and the South Downs, with miles of chalk cliffs overlooking the English Channel. For history buffs, there are a great many historic landmarks within Sussex, such as the battlefield where the Battle of Hastings took place, or visitors can enjoy pretty towns such as Lewes, Rye and Uckfield and the city of Brighton.