Sussex Self-Guided Bike Tour

Following a bountiful breakfast, head out through quiet residential streets before branching out onto lovely country lanes toward the picturesque village of Lindfield. The route takes you past Sheffield Park, not only home to a famed country house and gardens, but also the Bluebell Steam Railway. You'll follow a quiet route south to the town of Lewes - once the home of Thomas Paine (try the Tom Paine Ale from the local brewery!). Lewes sits in the Ouse Valley with the chalk hills of the South Downs surrounding it and providing some great scenery. It’s home to a wide range of cafes, restaurants, and antique shops, but the jewel in the crown is its Norman castle which played a role in the formation of British democracy and is well worth a visit. The ride back to the hotel passes along some scenic roads before you pick up your tire tracks at Lindfield and sneak through the hidden roads of Haywards Heath back to your hotel. Tonight, treat yourself to another meal of your choice in town. The recommendations are at your fingertips.

Today’s loop ride takes you south to the foot of the South Downs, which is the heartland of English winemaking. The region’s finer climate, proximity to the sea, and geology of the area make this the perfect setting for cultivating delicious and award-winning wines, and today you’ll have the chance to visit some of the area's most prestigious vineyards. After a stretch on the wonderfully named Slugwash Lane, you’ll head towards Ditchling Common, the home of Ridgeview wine estate - a wine producer that has not only won global awards for its Sussex Sparkling but has been served by the Queen to guests including President Obama over recent years. After a visit, you’ll continue on to the village of Ditchling, where The Bull provides a very tempting pub option for a mid-ride refuel. The route picks up Underhill Lane here, following the curvature of the South Downs, before turning north towards Bolney and another fabulous winery. This makes for a great final stop as there are just a few more miles to the hotel from here. In the afternoon take some time to relax before enjoying dinner at your leisure at the restaurant that best suits your palate in town.

Get ready for a fantastic day of cycling that takes you on the Downs Link Trail, a traffic-free path that follows an abandoned railway line that runs all the way to the coast. Along the way, you’ll pass the ruins of Bramber Castle before following the river Adur to the coast at Shoreham. From here you'll follow the promenade into the heart of the bustling city of Brighton & Hove, one of the south coast's coolest destinations. Here you have the choice of going traditional with fish and chips on the beach or going contemporary with a host of trendy eateries and boutiques dotted along the quaint North Laines streets. Your route finishes at the train station, where you can hop on for a 15-minute ride back to Haywards Heath before cycling the remaining couple of miles back to the hotel. Tonight, take a relaxed stroll in town and find a restaurant of your choice. Raise a glass and toast to an incredible self-guided bike tour in Sussex, riding off the beaten track and discovering a land of beauty, culture, and excitement.

On this final day of your self-guided bike tour in Sussex, take the morning to sleep in and relax, savoring a long breakfast, or choose to have a final spin before leaving Cuckfield. You’ll have enough time to return back to the hotel, shower, and change before you depart. Your Trek Travel host will meet you at 11:00 AM at the hotel to take your bike and say farewell, concluding your self-guided journey.