Blackcap and Mount Harry from Lewes

From Lewes station the walk goes up through the town to the High Street and out along Western Road to Spital Road, by the prison wall. A bridleway leads north-west from there, climbing for about 1.5 km beside the gallops to the buildings of the old racecourse, where racing went on until 1964. Beyond the stables the track runs on between fences and out onto open downland, past the beacon on Mount Harry, to the trig point and clump of trees on Blackcap at 206 m, National Trust land with a wide view over the Weald. The way back keeps to the main track below Mount Harry and returns down the bridleway to Lewes.

It is 11.3 km with 228 m of ascent; allow about 3½ hours. The grade is Moderate: a long steady climb with nothing steep.

The bridleway is much used by horses, so expect mud outside the summer. Racehorses still train on the gallops: keep to the bridleway. There is little shelter on the downs. Sheep graze Blackcap, so keep dogs on leads, and the chalk is slippery when wet. Take care crossing the A275 at Spital Road.

The station car park charges; there is no walkers' car park at Spital Road. Lewes station is at the start. Mount Harry looks down on the field of the Battle of Lewes, fought in 1264.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.