26 April, 10.30am: University of Sussex Boundary Walk

Explore chalk downland, ancient beech woods and the historic village of Falmer, with sweeping South Downs views along the way, on this fascinating boundary walk with local expert Dr Geoffrey Mead.

Walk details: This walk takes us through the Grade One listed buildings of the Sussex campus and up a long chalk slope to a viewpoint down into Stanmer. We’ll then take a long downhill track along the edge of the South Downs National Park and a steep, muddy climb to a line of ancient beech trees that form the former edge of the Stanmer estate. At Falmer village, we’ll cross over the A27 to the village church and pond, before returning to the campus boundary and following the old flint boundary wall to the start point.

Staring point: University Sports Centre carpark (Car Park 5) near A27

Google map link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/xFyjeNVtaEJ7DQ1M8

What3Words: tunnel.smoke.fake

Difficulty rating: Moderate with one steep slope through the woods

Duration estimate: 2 – 2.5 hours

Length: Approximately 4.5 miles

Accessibility: Long downland slopes uphill and down. One steep climb through the woods and some very muddy stretches under the trees.

Public transport information: Many Brighton & Hove buses [3X/23/25/28/29] onto and near campus. Falmer train station adjacent.

Parking: Pay-by-Phone parking charge

Dogs: Dogs are welcome but must be kept on leads, as livestock in surroundings fields. Please take all dog waste home.

Born and raised in Brighton, Dr Geoffrey Mead is a geographer and local historian with a PhD in Geography. He has taught adult education and undergraduate courses at Sussex, specialising in local history, landscape studies and geography, and has researched communities across south-east England.