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.

This trail has its roots in the early '80s when a group of South London ramblers sought adventure down south. Colin Saunders, chair of the Vanguard Way Association, wrote: "The trail was created in 1981 by members of the Vanguard Rambling Club, which took its name from a train journey in 1965 when they had to sit on the floor of the 'guard's van', because no seats were available." (Source: mylondon.news)

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.

Comprehensive information about this path can be found on the official Vanguard Way website - below.

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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
User Group:	Vanguard Way Association
Web Sites:	Vanguard Way Pete's Trip Reports - Vanguard Way [blog]

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Publications, Badges and Certificates:

Certificate	Certificate for Vanguard Way  (Vanguards Rambling Club )
Badge	Badge for Vanguard Way  (Vanguards Rambling Club )

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