Vanguard Way section 07 (D)

BLACKBOYS - GOLDEN CROSS

106km from the suburbs of Croydon to the sea at Newhaven. On the way you will pass through a National Park, two areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a Heritage Coast, and 3 scheduled sites of national or regional interest. There are great views throughout the route, including two of the best in Britain: the Cuckmere meanders and the Seven Sisters. Nearly all of the route is on public rights of way, and goes mostly through open countryside and woodland. The route is well served by public transport, so you can easily walk it on day trips. A free printable description of the route is available at www.vanguardway.org.uk

This section passes through relatively low-lying but undulating and sparsely populated terrain. The only settlements (apart from the occasional house or farm) are the hamlet of Graywood and the tiny village of Chiddingly, with its interesting church and charismatic pub. Having started in the valleys of streams that feed the Uck, you cross a watershed at Hawkhurst Common Wood to meet streams that feed the Cuckmere.