BRIGHTON AND HOVE BIKE TOUR FIELD GUIDE
E-biking the South Downs: From Brighton Rims to a Sussex Vineyard
A 6-hour guided eBike loop from Brighton (or alternate starts) across Devils Dyke into a working vineyard for a wine-and-cheese tasting and a pub lunch.
E-biking the South Downs: From Brighton Rims to a Sussex Vineyard.
This is a deliberately rugged half-day on electric mountain bikes that threads Brighton, the escarpment at Devils Dyke and a nearby vineyard on the South Downs—culminating in a tasting and a pub lunch. The route mixes easy coastal-to-ridge riding with off‑road descents and a vineyard walk, and is run as a guided, six‑hour experience.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Ridge-top riding and the sweep of the South Downs
The tour takes in the high ground around Devils Dyke and open South Downs scenery, linking Brighton with rural lanes and downland viewpoints before dropping toward the estate.
Varied terrain with challenging off‑road descents
Expect a mix of easy riding and more demanding sections: the leg down from Devils Dyke into the estate includes very steep, off‑road declines that are not easy and require confident bike handling.
Wine and cheese at a working vineyard
At the estate you'll sample wines and local Sussex cheeses (the guided tasting covers four wines: a sparkling, two still and an English Vermouth, matched with local cheeses), with the option to visit the Tasting Room & Shop before or after the tour.
What the day feels like
What the six-hour loop feels like
The guided day unfolds as a loop: a ride from Brighton to the ridge at Devils Dyke (about 45 minutes when starting from Brighton), a further ride of roughly 30 minutes to the estate, time on foot through the vineyard for the tasting, a ride to the Royal Oak in Poynings for lunch, and a return via Devils Dyke back toward Brighton. The rhythm alternates open, easy riding with shorter, technical sections and a tasting interlude at the winery.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this tour suits — and who should reconsider.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The guided tour is six hours in total.
Wear suitable footwear for walking over rough ground and grass in the vineyard (no flip‑flops); be prepared to ride a bicycle on both easy and challenging terrain.
The tour includes a guide; wine tasting at the vineyard and pub lunch are excluded from the tour price (wine tasting is an additional £28.50 per person).
At the Tasting Room & Shop you may purchase more wine or order local cheese, charcuterie or a trout board—these can be booked in advance or ordered on the day subject to availability.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the tour?
The eBike tour lasts six hours.
Where does the tour start?
The tour can start from Brighton, Devils Dyke or the Royal Oak Poynings to accommodate different rider confidence levels.
Is wine tasting included?
Wine tasting at the vineyard is optional and charged extra at £28.50 per person.
Is lunch provided?
Lunch is not provided by the estate; the itinerary includes a pub lunch at the Royal Oak in Poynings which is not included in the tour price.
Are there allergy concerns with the tasting?
The cheeses used in the tasting are made from sheep and cow’s milk; one sheep‑milk cheese is unpasteurised—advise the operator in advance about any allergy concerns.
Do I need special footwear?
Yes. The tour involves a walk over rough ground and grass in the vineyard, so suitable footwear is required and flip‑flops are not permitted.