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Ashley
PortlandLONDON
(CATERHAM) TO BRIGHTON 
Quiet
roads that take you through beautiful towns and the countryside
of Surrey and Sussex. This is an alternative route to
the British Heart Foundation London to Brighton ride that
takes place every Summer.
Distance: 60 km (37 miles) approx.
Map: OS Landranger 187 and 198. The route crosses
between these two maps at Ardingly. Take an atlas for
a more page-defined view of the route.
Start and finish: London, Croydon, Caterham or Brighton
- the choice is yours
Terrain: This itinerary will take you along quiet
country roads, through pretty Surrey and Sussex villages.
Places to eat: There are plenty of stops along
the route, Pubs that will serve you a cold beverage and
a good snack. The most opportune places to stop are marked
on the map by a beer glass.
For accommodation and travel information:
National Rail Enquiries - 0345 48 49 50
Brighton Tourist Information - 0906 7112255 (50p a minute)
London Tourist Information - 0906 8663344 (50p a minute)
Useful tourist websites:
www.timeout.com/london
www.thisislondon.com
www.brighton.co.uk
THE
ROUTE
You
have a number of options as to how you want to start the
ride depending on where you are coming from. If you are
driving or coming down from London, then park up in one
of the many parking monstrosities you will find in the
centre of town and take a train form East Croydon station
to Caterham. These trains usually leave from platform
6 every 20 minutes or so and the journey is about the
same length.
Alternatively if you are on your holidays and find yourself
in Brighton and don’t want the hassle of having to
get back from Brighton when you finish the itinerary,
then get a direct train to East Croydon and change to
Caterham.
The reason I have selected Caterham as my preferred starting
off point is that this is where Greater London turns into
the countryside of Surrey. It is very enjoyable cycling
down through South London with thousands of two wheeled
colleagues and crowds cheering you on from the sidewalk,
but it doesn’t attain the same level of enjoyment
when these throngs are replaced by four wheelers hogging
the traffic ridden roads. Trust me, your lungs alone will
appreciate the extra effort it takes to start a bit further
out, (and it’s still Greater London so you’re
fulfilling the name of the route.)
Caterham is the end of the line on which you have been
travelling. Make you’re way to the top of the ramp,
cross at the traffic lights to your left, go right, mount
your bike and set off. Take Harestone Valley Road on your
left after 20 metres, verge to the right at the mini roundabout
and continue along for about a mile. On your left you
will pass Caterham school as you start up a slight hill,
which curves its way upwards for a 600 metres or so. The
road dips down and up again coming to a T junction. Take
a right and continue to climb the steady hill, admiring
the lush Caterham valley to your left. When you come to
the junction at the top and have recaptured your breath,
prepare for a long downhill run. Turn left, and being
careful as the road is narrow follow the road down, over
the M25, until you reach a hamlet. Make a turn left into
Brewer Street, past Place Farm and right at the next turn.
Follow for one kilometre and you’ll come out in the
centre of Bletchingly.
Cross
the main road and continue straight ahead. This road will
take you as far as Copthorne, crossing first over a railway
line, through Outwood where you can stop for refreshment
at the pub, past the small village of Smallfield and across
mostly flat ground to the intersection with the B2037
in the north of Copthorne. Take a left onto this road
and right at the crossroads onto the B2028. Although no
longer a country lane, after crossing straight over the
roundabout, this road is great to cycle along and not
particularly busy as it isn’t a commuter route. Along
100 metres the houses of Crawley Down will pass on your
left, and the same distance again you’ll begin the
steady climb to Turners Hill. It’s time to treat
yourself. Stop for a drink or some food at the pub in
the centre, or the one on the right if you carry on another
400 metres.
Back onto your hearty stead take the right fork in the
road after one kilometre, you’re still on the B2028.
A long straight road takes you past wood and glen, the
National Trust Wakehust Place is on your right before
you follow the bend round to the left that takes you past
the Agricultural Showground and onward into Ardingly.
If you didn’t rest yourself fully at Turner’s
Hill then take a break in this beautiful town. Return
here sometime to sample the delights of the castle and
the Bluebell railway which is close at hand.
Out of the town the road arcs left then right, over a
dismantled railway, and (careful here) when the road forks
700 metres further on, take the left one onto a smaller
road. This is Stone Cross and the diversion takes you
around Haywards Heath rather than through it. Take a right
at the T junction, then the first left and straight on
for one kilometre, taking the right fork at the next intersection.
You’ll pass a cemetery on your right two kilometres
further. Pay your respects as you turn left onto the B211,
pedal 700 metres down the road turning right again and
then taking the first left a few metres further on your
left.
Your next road negotiation takes place after four kilometres,
at Wivelsfield. Turn left into the high street and if
you’re feeling peckish stop at the pub on your left.
If not then turn right and after 50 metres turn right
again. The road curves right then left, past West Wood
on your right, past some buildings and to a T. Turn right,
follow along and take the second right after about 1000
metres. Begin to prepare yourself as you negotiate this
long flat road for the task ahead. Ditchling Beacon is
coming into view and after the fairly Low Country like
qualities of the last 30 miles or so, its a beauty or
devil of a hill (whichever way you want to look at it).
Turn right at the end of the road, continue to the centre
of Ditchling and if you want, although I wouldn’t,
take a break at the local pub on the right. I’d turn
left straightaway, fork left at the junction and get my
adrenaline running for the uphill onslaught.
It’s not that it’s a particularly difficult
hill, it’s just that after 30 miles of leisurely
ambling along, it’s not what you had on your list
of priorities for the end of an enjoyable day trip. However
if you do complete it, without stopping or pushing your
bike, it gives an enormous sense of achievement, whilst
you are safe in the knowledge that it’s all downhill
from here. Admire the view, take a deep breath and ready
yourself for the route’s completion. Follow the road
ahead along the brow of the hill and after three kilometres
begin the descent into Brighton.
Over the A27 you’ll go, the houses of the city beginning
to surround you, and if you carry straight on for five
kilometres the London Road Train Station will be off to
your right. I’ll assume though that if you’ve
come all this way you’ll want to see the sea from
Palace Pier, so ignore this way home and continue on until
you come to the main road. Three lawns stretch away in
front of you with the Royal Pavilion off in the distance
to the right. Join the road and follow it straight down,
past the Pavillion and to the seafront. Over the roundabout
is the pier with the Aquarium off to your left. Buy yourself
some heavily overpriced chips and beam from ear to ear
at your success.
Now all that’s left to do is get home...
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