⚓Back Home In West Sussex
Back Home in Sussex
From Arundel Castle to the White Cliffs, leaving no stone unturned along the pebble beaches, chalk cliffs, and coastal paths of southern England.
The Walking Was the Writing
Littlehampton in the Arun District of West Sussex, England lies on the English Channel on the eastern bank of the mouth of the River Arun. The Battle of Britain saw Luftwaffe raids on Littlehampton. Hard to imagine in these tranquil bucolic settings where I’ve been exploring the magnificent Sussex coastline on foot.
Following John Muir’s wisdom — “With all the roads you take, make sure some of them are dirt” — I’ve been adding rocky-beach-coastal walks to the mix. Sussex by Sea all week, averaging 10 miles a day along these remarkable pebble beaches where there’s simply no sand above normal low tide mark.
Total Distance: 70+ miles • Daily Average: 10 miles
Terrain: Pebble beaches, chalk cliffs, coastal paths
The Channel as Arrival
Pebbles, Castles, Cliffs, and Cafes
Arundel Castle
The magnificent Arundel Castle in West Sussex, England. DE-moated and stunning — these photos were taken in perfect lighting that Mother Nature provided.
Climping Dune Ecosystem
Climping has a dune ecosystem and its rocks. It’s nice to go on a digital diet and unplug with a rural, primitive and circadian walk along the beach.
L.A. to Goring by Sea
On a portion of the cycling path — an everyday epiphany. 9.1 miles of pure coastal bliss.
Rustington to Worthing
13.1 miles — the going is good, leaving no stone unturned. A marathon-distance coastal walk through some of Sussex’s most beautiful pebble beaches.
Littlehampton Harbour
A view of the historic harbour where the River Arun meets the English Channel. This working port has been serving the community for centuries.
Kingston On Ferring
At the Karma Cafe — no menu, you get served what you deserve — Surf and Turf today. 8.7 miles of coastal walking.
The White Chalky Cliffs of Beachy Head
Another amazing day — this time overlooking the white-chalky-cliffs of Beachy Head. From the top of the hills, you could easily lose your footing, and the talc erodes constantly with rainfall. Much of the coast of South-East England is chalk — think White Cliffs of Dover or here in Eastbourne’s Beachy Head.
Gibraltar and the Voyages Beyond
Ed Reif and Sarah Kennedy’s seafaring adventures often began at Gibraltar, the iconic gateway to the Mediterranean. This historic port served as the launching point for many maritime journeys, a threshold between the known and the unknown.
Leaving No Stone Unturned
All of Sussex coastline are stones. I have averaged 10 miles a day this week. The beaches are simply miles of pebbles and there is no sand above normal low tide mark. This unique landscape creates a walking experience unlike anywhere else in the world.
From the magnificent Arundel Castle overlooking the Arun Valley to the dramatic white cliffs of Beachy Head, Sussex offers an unparalleled coastal walking experience. Each step reveals centuries of history, from Roman settlements to medieval castles, from Battle of Britain airfields to peaceful fishing villages.
The constant sound of waves on pebbles, the changing light on chalk cliffs, and the rhythm of coastal walking create a meditative experience that connects us to both the natural world and Britain’s maritime heritage. Sussex by the sea — leaving no stone unturned, one pebble beach at a time.
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