Autumn 2021

September 

Diana and Colin have been replacing missing stickers on parts of the VGW and looking at the final southern part, Seaford to Newhaven, and how it coincides with the England Coastal Path

Congratulations to Brenda and Simon who completed the VGW, Saffron Valley. They reported ‘the colour of saffron was everywhere: Crocosmia, Rowan trees in bloom, jackets, dresses and bollards’.

Congratulations to Wendy and her friend on their completion of the VGW

Joel revealed his interesting way of managing his walk when water taps could be found on churches and made it to Newhaven Harbour Station just after sunset that evening - with my wife joining me at Berwick for the last leg. A perfect way to see out my 30's (it was my 40th Birthday the next day). Total time 13:53. A fair bit slower than I was hoping for, but my main aim was to just sit back and enjoy the day. He went on  ‘Anyway, I made it to Newhaven Harbour Station just after sunset that evening - with my wife joining me at Berwick for the last leg. A perfect way to see out my 30's (it was my 40th Birthday the next day)

Congratulations to Graham and Andy on finally completing the Vanguard Way. It’s great to hear it was a Very Good Walk

A boundary review is taking place between now and 31st January 2022, by Surrey Hills AONB. Parts of the VGW pass through this area.

Thanks to Marc for his interest in the VGW and the complications around the collapsed bridge, footpath 24 and the diversion at Perryman’s Lane. At present the new route is remaining  the official route 

These websites are recommended

rights.way@eastsussex.gov.uk. and eastfootpath@sussexramblers.org.uk.

December 2021

Congratulations to Megan, your Dad and sister on completing the Vanguard Way.

July 2021

Allison comments on the growing of crops on the footpaths that are part of the VGW are noted

 

Patricia reported biking on the footpaths on Seaford Head and if ramblers comes across cyclists it would be good to let them know it is a footpath, not a cycle path. The South Downs National Park Authority need to be informed

Congratulations to Matt and friends who completed the VGW in two and a half days

The Weald Challenge Trail races have donated £649.50 to the VGW since 2017, 

Thanks to Nick for his offer to help with Selmeston FP. We hope you were able to contact East Sussex County Council and to Benedikt for letting us know the condition of the muddy path near Golden Cross Pub.

 

We hope the Surrey Walkers Club were successful in their 3-day walk of the VGW

August 21

Congratulations to Jim who ran the VGW as part pf his marathon challenge

Changes may be afoot at the southern end of the Vanguard Way. Keep you eye open  for finger posts along Mill Creek. Thanks to Tidemills for their work on the north side foot path here

Summer 2021

May 2021

Thanks to David from the Kent and Surrey Golf & County club  for installing the waymark posts. Presently the club house is not open or refreshments

Near Ashurstwood some  discs have gone missing and we hope to replace them soon

 

Congratulations to Dan and Rachel , Christof and Jill on completing the Vanguard Way.  

Thanks to Matthew from East Sussex CC for all the work he puts in to support us maintain the Vanguard Way in East Sussex

Thanks to Brian for the information about section 7 and the fields with crops which affect the routes given the VGW. He can confirm places to find water.  One is by the Martello Tower where there are also toilets, which close about 6pm, but there is another toilet in the car park, just before you come to Seaford Sailing Club, which remain open late.

May 2021

Valerie and her walking group were looking to complete the route by public transport

June 2021

Stuart wrote about his VGW walk in 1985 and the changes he has noticed since then. We are very grateful for the eventual donation of his photo album to the VGW Club

Jan/Feb/March 2021

Feb 21

Improvements on the Vanguard Way

Highways England are currently upgrading the A27 east of Lewes but sadly there will be no crossing and walkers will have to continue to walk on the path, and as in the route instructions take great care when crossing. Improvements are being made continually 

Marcus has told us that that a large chunk west of Hope Gap is about to fall into the sea! A major upgrade to the cliff protection structure was already being considered, so this latest collapse may hasten the work.

March 21

In March Keith reported that an old finger post has been replaced with a new one.  It is right by the the entrance to the path but it is missing discs for the London Loop and the Vanguard Way.

Some problems are emerging after the lockdown year of 2020, a collapsed gravel path by the Cable Hut at Cuckmere Beach, a substantial landslip by the beach at Cuckmere Haven, repairs are being undertaken but the Newhaven Port Access Road is no longer closed.

April 21 

Congratulation to Gabor who has completed the Vanguard Way over three days, the first in 2021. Gabor’s comments included this comment ‘I cannot praise the guide enough, it's impeccable! Accurate, detailed, and the companion provides all the interesting facts about places I was passing through. It saved my skin a few times when I was about to take a wrong turn. Well done Colin.

All ramblers need to be aware that the contact email is colin@vanguardway.org.uk  The route instructions may have changed and ramblers need to be aware of this.

 

Good wishes to Joel and Diana in their planned walk of the Vanguard Way

Daniel has completed the route in an amazingly fast time, the fastest we know about. Well done. And Daniel thank you for the obstruction information

November 2020

Richard, who house is close to the VGW has told us he has in his garden ‘put up a sad scrap-iron sculpture of a centurion on his way home’ pointing out the way to walk the VGW. This is where it is close one of the local roman roads, this one is known to historians, somewhat blandly, have called it the London to Lewes Way. It effectively connected London with Newhaven, the Vanguard Way is its modern equivalent!”

We will be putting up a direction sign soon. 

Lets hope Neil is successful and finds the information emailed from Colin in his quest for safe parking as he walks the Way

A signage maintenance visit was made to the northern part of VGW Section 6, Poundgate to Buxted. At the start of the diverted route north of High Hurstwood the signs were clear but a number of broken or missing discs had to be replaced, and impromptu clearances made around stiles. More work remains to be done including repairing a broken fingerpost found hidden in overgrowth.

We met Steve, Martin and Ralph who were exploring the Way. Good wishes to them  

Congratulations to David and Elaine who separately completed the VGW both starting in August and completing in 4 stages by  November

September 2020

Good wishes to Susan and her friend who are proposing to walk the Vanguard Way in October.

Thanks to Andy from Nationals Trail & Rights of Way and The Southdowns National Park who are supporting us by putting up the VGW discs in 2021 in the southern part of the route.

David completed the Vanguard Way in October finding it an enjoyable and ‘a well waymarked walk’ and congratulations to the two Linda’s who also completed our walk during 2020 and enjoyed the view at Seaford Head.

John reported The Newhaven diversion has re-opened & the brambles by the railway line have also been cleared 

Thanks and best wishes to Katherine in her quest to complete the Vanguard way. It's good to have reports about problems met, conquered and acted on! 

Pete and Jill completed the walks in 3 days in 2019, no competition please, just enjoy! Please look at the link for information about their walk 

http://www.c8h10n4o2.org/walking/vanguard/index.html

Thank you to Patrick for his strapline ‘A Very Good Walk’ . Wonderful. 

October 2020

Good luck Jaz and her plans to run the Way and raise funds for her charity and congratulations to Tom who completed the way in 3 days.

Thanks to Matthew, The Principal Rights of way office at East Sussex Council about the news that the Way at Newhaven is now open

The Seaford Museum & Heritage Society Martello Magazine  have contacted us to confirm they are closed during the present pandemic, Their contact details are info@seafordmuseum.co.uk

In the last two months many walkers have contacted us about walking and completing the Vanguard Way. Congratulations to everyone who is on the way to and has completed the walk

August 2020

Christof and Rui are planing to walk the VW. We hope you are successful 

Thanks to Mary Ann, the Countryside Access Officer at Surrey County Council who has agreed to help with a new fingerpost at Cernes Farm and the overgrowth of vegetation around FP472 on the Titsey Estate

September 2020

Congratulations to John and Jane on completing the Vanguard Way in 5 days with their interesting overnight stays. It’s good that weather was a plus and a great choice of the Vanguard Way after the Camino Frances!

Richard is looking to run the Vanguard Way in a shorter time than Jonny Muir in 2013 (10hr 27m) in October 

Daniel has completed the Vanguard Way in an amazingly quick time and added the information to the website fastestknowntime.com and given us detailed information about parts of the Vanguard way. This is always useful.

Gary and Julian who are ‘delighted to have finished the Vanguard Way finding it a really enjoyable and interesting route with stunning scenery, especially between Forest Row and Buxted’.

Alison also completed the Vanguard Way over three Saturdays in September. It was good to hear how much you enjoyed it in the fine weather. Here’s hoping your exploration of the The London Loop and The Capital Ring go well.

Phil and his companion ran and ‘shuffled’ along the Vanguard way in 2 days! Let's hope your recovery is good. Thanks for the information about a blocked footpath

Good wishes to Sylvia and your planned walk.

The Vanguard Way can be found on Travel Log Lewes who added the VGW to their website

http://www.travelloglewes.co.uk/wp/walks-and-walking/vanguard-way/

Thanks also to Chris about the bus information around Buxted and information about Community Transport Lewes  

                         

There are reports of  cliff erosion around Coastguard  Cottages at the southern end but the beach can still be accessed and there are diversion signs around the back the cable hut. Beware of the changing tide!