Destination: Friston Forest, East Sussex

Back in the day Friston Forest was a regular cross-country racing venue and the sinuous woodland trails certainly show this heritage. This isn’t the place to come for gravity thrills but there’s loads of great riding to be had as long as it’s dry and you’re willing to explore a bit. It’s a great place to clock up some decent miles.

How to get there

Seven Sisters Country Park is situated at Exceat, near Seaford. From Newhaven, follow the A259 through Seaford. The car park is signed on your left just over a mile after leaving the town.

Sat Nav: BN25 4AD

Facilities

As well as toilets, there’s a Visitor Centre in an 18th Century Barn but it’s mostly local craft items and leaflets. There is an onsite bike shop with bike hire though.

Trails

The old school 11 km Red Trail is way-marked. It’s pure cross-country with little technical challenge but, especially in the dry, is a fun, flowing and fast woodland blast.

It’s not well surfaced though and in the wet it becomes a claggy nightmare.

There are numerous unofficial trails that are worth exploring and the whole area is criss-crossed by a network of bridleways and forest roads.

There’s even an old downhill track hidden away, just watch out for the slightly sketchy doubles at the bottom.

Nearest bike shop: Seven Sisters Cycle Company (on site)

Other info

Parking at Seven Sisters Country Park is £3.50 for anything over 2 hours. A £25 annual Discovery Pass gets two cars unlimited access to four car parks in the area.

Useful links

The Forestry Commission guide to Friston Forest
Seven Sisters Country Park

Location Map:

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