Vanguard Way

The Vanguard Way approaching Newhaven, Sussex

The Vanguard Way is a long-distance walking trail of sixty-six miles through Surrey, Kent and Sussex, crossing the latter county from border to sea.

The trailheads are:

• East Croydon Station in Croydon in Surrey (TQ328658)
• Newhaven in Sussex, on the south coast.

On its route, the trail runs from metropolitan suburbs to the south coast, over the North Downs, through Ashdown Forest, the South Downs and the Cuckmere valley.

The walk was developed in celebration of the 15th anniversary in 1980 of the Vanguards Rambling Club, who named themselves after an occasion when they returned from a walk travelling in the guard's van of a crowded train. The route's formal establishment occurred on 3 May 1981, and the Vanguards Rambling Club have remained as the route's management.

Linking paths

The Vanguard Way with the Wandle Trail along the River Wandle, which runs from Croydon down to the River Thames in Wandsworth, and is sometimes used as a walking route between London and Paris, connecting with the ferry ports on the south coast.

The walk also connects with the London Outer Orbital Path, North Downs Way, Greensand Way, London Countryway, Eden Valley Walk, Forest Way, Wealdway, Sussex Border Path and the South Downs Way.

Places on the way

• Croydon
• Woldingham
• Crockham Hill
• Forest Row
• Blackboys
• Berwick
• Alfriston
• Seaford
• Newhaven

Pictures

• 
  On Short Cliff above Cuckmere Haven
• 
  From Tide Mills towards Newhaven
• 
  Woodland near Buxted
• 
  Across Ashdown Forest
• 
  Vanguard Way crossing the tram line

Outside links

("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Vanguard Way)

• The Vanguard Way – includes a free downloadable guide to the route
• The Vanguard Way – detailed coverage by Long Distance Walkers Association
• Interactive map of the Vanguard Way – from The Walking Englishman