Good box park for South Downs hacking near Eastbourne/Lewes

[wes]

I did a sponsored ride over the South Downs last year and loved it, and have a need to get the boys out and ride somewhere else.

I have a list of box parks from the South Downs way website, but can anyone recommend a good box park with easy access? I'm guessing the bridleways are well marked, but any other tips or recommendations would be appreciated.

Also thinking of joining the Ashdown Forest trust to ride there, again any particular recommendations?

Thx in advance

 

[GREYSMEADOW]

You could call Plumpton College and ask if you could park your box in their car park (equine area). The bridleway to the Downs is opposite their driveway (across the main road). Or you can usually park up at the Jack & Jill Windmills, Clayton if you are early enough.

 

[nicelittle]

I'm interested to see what replies you get to parking for the Downs as I am interested in doing this myself, I wonder if you can park at Firle, the car park is pretty big.

Ashdown Forest - there are only two car parks which allow horseboxes, one is called 'Box' and is between Nutley and Crowborough, on the Crowborough road. However, i have been quite disapointed by the riding surface on the forest, and feel that £100 a year is a bit steep for riding on rutted surfaces where you can mostly only walk. There are a few good gallop areas, but not as many as you might imagine, add to this a large number of 'professional dog walkers' out with large packs of uncontrolled dogs, grrrr....

 

[sbloom]

I used to ride in Friston Forest, lovely rides over the downs in beech forest - the ride was administered by TROT, though you didn't actually need a key for the car park, and I have no idea if they checked or not.

 

[Grumpy Jewel]

You can park at Brendons at Pycombe, I thInk that's what its called, it's the big stud/ jumping place on the right of the A23. It's a suggested donation I'n the charity box of about £3 per horse, but it coveres you all day. The bridleways are amazing and you can hack from there to Lewes with no problem.

 

[GREYSMEADOW]

You can park at Brendons at Pycombe, I thInk that's what its called, it's the big stud/ jumping place on the right of the A23. It's a suggested donation I'n the charity box of about £3 per horse, but it coveres you all day. The bridleways are amazing and you can hack from there to Lewes with no problem.

Yes - Brendons at Pyecombe (google them) is by the A23 approx. 5 mins in the car from Jack & Jill Windmills (free car park), Clayton.