Vanguard Way

E Sussex, Gtr London, Kent, Surrey

A route from the South London suburbs to the sea, it crosses the North Downs, Ashdown Forest and South Downs to finish along the Sussex Heritage Coast over Seaford Head to Newhaven.

A new route in the Edenbridge area has been developed due to the increase in traffic on lanes used by the original route: it is almost entirely on footpaths and has the added advantage that it will go closer to stations at Edenbridge with just one link, whereas previously there were two separate links. Less substantial route changes include new links with Warlingham, Haxted Mill, Gabriel's Fishery and Seaford Station, and an optional alternative route into Forest Row to avoid a footpath that is currently in a dreadful state. Route guides are available to download free from the Vanguard Way website below.

It connects with the Wandle Trail and the London Loop in Greater London and numerous other long distance paths including the North Downs, Greensand, Eden Valley and South Downs Ways.

The Wandle Trail (11 miles) provides a link to the Thames Path National Trail at Wandsworth, enabling a route from the Thames to the sea.

UPDATE (July 2020) - There is a well marked diversion to the route from south of Stroods (GR 486 274) to near the church at High Hurstwood (GR 494 265). It appears that this is a long time diversion and has been in place since at least May 2019.

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Details:

Path Type:	Paths Marked on OS mapping
Waymark:	Named discs
Attributes:	Average Gradients Coastal Heath
Start:	TQ328658 - East Croydon Railway Station, Gtr London
Finish:	TQ449009 - Newhaven Harbour, E Sussex
Web Sites:	Vanguard Way Tim Bertuchi - Vanguard Way Annierak - Vanguard Way [blog] Pete's Trip Reports - Vanguard Way [blog]

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Publications, Badges and Certificates:

External PDF	The Vanguard Way - from the suburbs to the sea - an introduction  (Vanguards Rambling Club  - 2014 )
Guidebook	Vanguard Way : the walk from East Croydon to Newhaven  (S B Publications  - 2009 )
Certificate	Certificate for Vanguard Way  (Vanguards Rambling Club )
Badge	Badge for Vanguard Way  (Vanguards Rambling Club )
External PDF	Vanguard Way Companion  (Vanguards Rambling Club  - 2014 )

Click to showhide 1 more Publications, Badges and Certificates

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