My son and I rode this route in June 2026 over 2 1/2 days. Starting from the Eye was definately worth it although we regretted following the route through Pimlico instead of continuing along Millbank to Chelsea Bridge. Queenstown Road was not as intimidating as the description had us believe but we may have been lucky with the traffic at 11.30am on a weekday. An early stop at the Skylark Cafe, on Wansworth Common, after only 6.5 miles was very pleasant. The Wandle Way was delightful and would be my choice of a start point of you want to avoid central London. South of Coulsden the slog up Farthing Down was repaid by the 'Dick Wittington' view back to the City and Canary Wharf skyscrapers. We then chose the suggested Alternative Route which was certainly more interesting than suburbia and business parks. Our accommodation was in Horley so we had a fairly long link along the Smallfield Road.
Next morning we were well placed to pick up the route through Riverside Park in Horley to reach Gatwick Station. Here we made an error and missed the deviation to the left which leads to a good cycle path through some greenspace between the A23 and the railwayline. Instead we followed the unprotected footway alongside the A23, compete with overhanging brambles. We easily rejoined the route and eventually found the Worth Way to East Grinstead although we heard no more than a distant chuffing from the preserved Bluebell Railway. Starting off along the Forest Way we stopped for lunch at the diminuitive River View Cafe (///scar.skater.symphonic) on a small industrial estate in Forest Row. In addition to food and drink a very welcome e-bike battery charge was available. A series of ups and downs necessatated a short side excursion to Mayfield where the Middle House pub provided refreshment and a spectacular view across the valley to the south. Eventually we reached Heathfield and the start of the Cuckoo Trail which provided an untaxing finish to our day before arriving at the Crown Hotel in Hailsham.
Day three started off along the remainder of the Cuckoo Trail before continuing along quiet lanes, by passing the villages, but with a good view of the Litlington White Horse. After crossing the Cuckmere River by the narrow Exceat Bridge we called in at the Cuckmere Inn for refreshment before the off road alternative ascent to Seaford. There is a side road leading up to Seaford Head where there is a cafe with a limited view of the Seven Sisters Cliffs. You have to continue down towards the sea to get the classic vew, with less foreshortening. There is a better view from the ferry! To finish there is the cycle path, much of it along the Seaford sea front to Newhaven. Our journeys end was at the Hope Inn, Fort Road (///agreeable.arming.almost) on the west side of the port entrance for a fish lunch before returning home by train.
