24/05/26 - Kingston, Near Lewes

No Juggs for us

The heatwave is not abating. Social media is full of people berating irresponsible dog walkers. How would you like to walk barefoot on hot coals? In a fur coat?

So through common sense, rather than worrying about being a social pariah, we are up very early and out on the trail before the midday sun. Good news for the dogs, bad news for the drinkers. I pass two pubs, where my contribution to pubsgalore.co.uk will be uploading photographs.

At least the walk is a beauty.... a climb of Swanborough Hill to retrace forgotten steps on the South Downs Way before dropping down to Rodmell for the return walk in the hill's shadow.

Work completed - Swanborough Hill Climbed, Kingston Below

Back on the South Downs Way - Pre Breakfast

House hunting in Rodmell

A gorgeous walk - now let's look at what we could have won.  Rodmell has the inappropriately named Abergavenny Arms - used as a water stop. We admired the steaks from £13 A Frame Board, but with the broken glass in the front door, wondered whether this might be advertising from a bygone age.

More intriguing was The Juggs, such a great name for a pub and incredibly, unique in the country.

Let's not get too upset at missing out. 

Shepherd's Neame.

C15th, half tiled and I hear the only cask is Sussex Best

Walk Details

Distance - 6.5 miles

Geocaches - 3

Walk Inspiration - Country Walking Magazine, February 2007 

23/05/26 - Rottingdean and into Brighton

For Two More Good Beer Guide Ticks

We are staying at the far eastern extremities of Brighton. Just where the city runs out and its all private schools (Roedean), rolling hills and pretty villages that end in "dean".

With the unexpected heatwave, we are up and out early to take the dogs to visit Ovingdean and Rottingdean, returning to base via Undercliffe.

Too early for pubs but not breakfast, I'll have to add the afternoon pub ticking onto the blog to make it worth-(my)-while.

Ovingdean Church - Doors Closed

Rottingdean Windmill

Rottingdean - a Story Telling Area

A rare image of Undercliff, without Pain in the Arse Cyclists

The dogs aren't really keen on built up areas, so we park them at home to head out to Brighton to see if I can add to Good Beer Guide Ticks I gained on a grim winter's afternoon in 2025.

More walking, but at least Mrs M can entertain herself by keeping a running count of how many people she spots with purple hair.

The Brighton Bierhaus is the first port of call. Classic pub architecture, with the purpose built alehouse built in the 1830s and formerly known as the Thurlow Arms. It's been resurrected by the Brighton Bier Brewery and made "Craft".

Mrs M recording purples in her app

With the temperature nudging the 30s, we take advantage of their German/Belgian offerings - the finest in the City. Hacker-Pschorr in a ceremonial chalice, after the kind barman pointed out the Rothaus was alcohol free.

We haven't got much time but on firing up Google Maps to find our next quarry, we notice the number one Brighton Tourist attraction. Far too many people use Quadrophenia Alley as a cut through to complete a comprehensively authentic recreation, so I console myself with a quick chant of "We are the Mods!"

Knee Trembler

And Google Maps is required to find The Hole in the Wall. Tucked away off the seafront down Queensbury Mews, it claims to be Brighton's smallest pub. That don't impress us much. It's at least three times the size of Manchester's Circus Tavern.

Two roomer

It is a quality drinking den, with a chalk board of beers and ciders to work through if you have time and a fine selection of snacks. Two flavours of Nik-Naks.

Germans all round - Flensburger and Ayinger. Plus Taytos.

Walk Details

Distance - 9 Miles in total, 5 on the plotted walk

Geocaches - 0

Walk Inspiration - AA 1001 Walks

22/05/26 - Lewes, for Mount Caburn

Sussex Best

There was never going to be much debate on where to start our latest walking break.

Lewes - a town full of history, birthplace of revolutionaries, satirical bonfires and the home of the unique taste of Sussex.

A Beaut

This is the Harvey's Brewery - a classic Victorian brewery, which can trace its roots back to 1790. Harvey's Sussex Best happily sits in my top 5 beers, although much more work needs to be completed to calculate the final rankings.

A pint will be a reward for completing an out of town walk at the start of the 2026 mini heatwave. This country is nuts. Last week, I was forced - under the threat of violence - to turn the heating back on in the Midlands.

A matter of moments, and we leave the busy town behind to complete a classic "downs" walk - up and across the golf course, before reaching lush agricultural landscape, with plenty of chalkland clefts and ups and downs. The photos don't do justice to the remoteness or the beauty. Mount Caburn is the target, a grassy dome of a hill that hosted an iron age hillfort. 

The current Mrs M, Child #2 and borrowed doggies on the way to Mount Caburn

More chalk uplands

Easy peasy and back into town to determine which of the 8 Good Beer Guide Ticks should get the Mappiman Dollar. The John Harvey Tavern ticks all the boxes;

• Tap room for the brewery
• Opposite the brewery shop
• T-shirts too cyan to suit my complexion
• But I was tempted by an out of season Christmas Ale
• Sussex Best and all of its mates on cask
• Although the Best was gravity fed
• Dog Friendly
• Food available
• An offer on Friday fish and chips

We chose well

If only we had come on the bus - I could have told you about the other 7 available venues.

Walk Details

Distance - 5 miles

Geocaches - 1

Walk Inspiration - AA Walks Through History Walk 29

20/05/26 - Slow Way - Highley to Bewdley

For The Harbour at Arley

Highley - an unassuming mining town in Shropshire - becomes my most walked Slow Way location. I can add Bewdley to Kinver, Bridgnorth and Cleobury Mortimer to the list of destinations that I have walked from or to.

Today's walk is so simple..... Immediately pick up the river, walk downstream on the Severn Way, stop when you arrive at Bewdley.

Today's vista - the river at Highley

Long Distance Walking on the Severn Way

Half-way along, handily placed for (liquid) lunch, is the Harbour Inn at Arley. 

The Harbour Inn

With the population of Arley on the other side of the footbridge, it's a survivor. Pleasing that is open regular hours (Midday - 11pm), the only surprise was that I was not alone for my visit. A couple of other walkers not quite making it worth their while opening. 

Three Wye Valley Cask on - with Butty Bach in fair condition.

Plenty of refreshment options in Bewdley - but not all keeping such traditional hours. Looks like it's evening only for Bathams at the Horn and Trumpet.

Walk Details

Distance - 7 Miles

Geocaches - 1

Walk Inspiration