Lewes Circular via Swanborough and Black Cap

The stiles

No count given. The optional loop to the Half Moon at Plumpton, which is included in the distance, passes a redundant stile and crosses two ladder stiles on the way back up. The alternative endings at Plumpton and Cooksbridge cross further stiles, including ladder stiles and a stile either side of a railway foot crossing. The main route otherwise uses gates.

Livestock

No farm-animal warnings. A cattle grid on the South Downs Way; the bridleway past the old racecourse is widely used by horses, and the source says to heed the warning notices in case racehorses are galloping there.

The ground

Rated 6 out of 10, undulating, with little shelter on a windy day. The A27 is crossed at Housedean Farm (you cannot cross at the old Newmarket Inn). The Plumpton loop has steep scarp paths and steps and a concrete track that can be slippery in the wet. The racecourse bridleway is muddy outside summer. Near the start the route goes through a subway under the A27, and a path by the sports fields is sometimes closed for maintenance (a way round is given).

For dogs

The source says nothing about dogs.

Pubs and cafés on the way

• Half MoonPlumpton (optional loop) · on the way
• Blacksmith's ArmsOffham (second Cooksbridge ending only) · at the end
• Lansdown ArmsLewes, Lansdown Place · at the end
• Royal OakLewes, Station Street · at the end
• Carafe Coffee RoastersLewes, Station Street · at the end
• Depot Cinema Kitchen and BarLewes, Pinwell Road · at the end

Named by the route's publisher. Whether each one welcomes dogs is on its own page, once checked.