London to Brighton
97.7 km1263 m
City to sea
London to Brighton Cycle Route
Clapham Common to Brighton seafront, about 54 miles / 87 km, with Ditchling Beacon the defining climb near the finish. The classic open-road London to Brighton route.
Recommendations
Bike
Any bike
Road, hybrid or hire. Low gears help on the Beacon.
Tyres
28/32
25 mm is fine in the dry. Wider is nicer on Surrey lanes.
Experience
First-timer
Hold a bit back for Ditchling Beacon.
Route breakdown
0k -> 20km
Clapham Common to the Surrey edge
Settle into the day+162 m up · 93 m down · 21–91 m
The opening miles are all about getting out of London cleanly. Clapham Common, Tooting, Mitcham and Carshalton give you traffic lights, buses and plenty of other riders before the route opens out. Keep the effort smooth here and let the legs warm up. Once you are through the southern suburbs, the character changes quickly and the country lanes start to do the talking.
20k -> 41km
Chipstead, Banstead and Redhill
First proper rollers+130 m up · 177 m down · 127–80 m
Chipstead is where the ride starts to feel like a long-distance bike ride rather than a city escape. The road rises and falls around the North Downs before dropping toward Merstham and Redhill. There are enough shops and cafés around Redhill to make this an easy place for a proper bottle refill and a food stop. The useful pacing move here is to ride the short climbs seated and keep your breathing under control, because the route keeps accumulating little rises all the way south.
41k -> 58km
Nutfield, Bletchingley and Outwood
The countryside opens up+128 m up · 133 m down · 108–102 m
South of Redhill the lanes become quieter and the scenery starts to widen. Nutfield, Bletchingley and Outwood give you hedgerows, fields and the first proper sense of the Sussex Weald ahead. Outwood Post Mill is a good landmark and an easy reason to lift your head and look around. This is a strong place to eat before the next longer section, especially if you are riding the whole route in one day.
58k -> 72km
Turners Hill and Ardingly
Rolling, then easier+108 m up · 176 m down · 109–41 m
Turners Hill brings another run of short climbs before the route settles into the more open countryside around Ardingly. The Ardingly Showground area is a familiar support point on organised rides, and the surrounding villages give you several chances to stop for coffee or food on an independent ride. From here the road keeps rolling south through Sussex farmland, with the bigger scenery arriving before the biggest climb.
72k -> 83km
Lindfield and Haywards Heath
Hold something back+101 m up · 66 m down · 34–69 m
Lindfield is one of the nicest places to pause for a final relaxed stop before the South Downs, with plenty of places to sit down, eat and top up bottles. Haywards Heath gives you another practical resupply option if you need it. This is the point to check your pacing and nutrition. The route still has a few undulations ahead, but the main objective is to arrive at Ditchling with enough legs to enjoy the finish.
83k -> 86km
Ditchling and Ditchling Beacon
The big effort+148 m up · 10 m down · 69–207 m
Ditchling village is the last easy chance for a proper café or pub stop before the climb, and it is worth using it if your bottles or food are running low. Then the road rises onto the South Downs. Ditchling Beacon is roughly 1.5 km long at around 9 to 10 percent average, with steeper ramps reaching about 16 percent. The climb is easier when you settle into your lowest useful gear early and keep the effort controlled. There are riders around you, plenty of encouragement on event days, and a few natural places to pause if you need them.
86km
Brighton seafront
The reward+0 m up · 221 m down · 230–9 m
Once you reach the top, the character changes immediately. The road rolls across the Downs before dropping toward Brighton, with the coast opening out below you. The descent through Coldean is fast and flowing, so take the line you can hold comfortably and leave a little margin for bends and changing road conditions. Madeira Drive is the traditional finish for the classic ride. From there it is an easy walk to the seafront, the pier and the cafés, or straight to Brighton station for the train home.
FAQ
How far is London to Brighton on this GPX?
About 54 miles / 87 km from Clapham Common to Brighton seafront. Exact kilometres follow the GPX file you download.
How long does it take?
One day for most riders, roughly four to seven hours depending on pace and stops. The first 30 miles can feel easier than the last 20.
Where is the hardest part?
Ditchling Beacon is the defining climb, arriving late enough in the ride that pacing and food matter as much as raw climbing fitness.
Where are good places to stop?
Redhill is a useful early resupply point, Ardingly and Lindfield give you good options in the middle of the ride, and Ditchling is the last natural café stop before the Beacon.
Is this the British Heart Foundation ride?
It follows the classic London to Brighton line and the same sequence of familiar towns, including Ditchling Beacon. Organised event courses and support locations can change from year to year, while this GPX is intended for everyday riding on open roads.
Where do I download the GPX?
Use the button on this page. The file is public and available without an account.
More route guides
National Cycle Route 2
Continue west along the south coast from Brighton.
Way of the Roses
A longer coast-to-coast ride across northern England.
C2C Cycle Route
Whitehaven to Tynemouth, another sea-to-sea classic.
All route guides
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