Buses: Get On Board

Brighton & Hove Buses the only way to travel
This week: The South Downs & beautiful villages

Metrobus routes 271 and 273 combine to form an hourly service on most of the route, Monday to Saturday. Route 271 also operates on Sundays – for times please visit www.metrobus.co.uk They head north up to Crawley but they pass though glorious Sussex Downland along the way, passing through ancient villages and places of interest. For a break from the bustle of the city these two routes will take you out to the calm tranquility of the South Downs.
The services can be picked up in Brighton at Churchill Square and the Old Steine.
So what’s on the 271 and 273?

South Downs Way and National Park
The country’s newest National Park can be accessed using the 271 and 273 near Clayton.
Get off the bus at the Jack and Jill pub, a walker’s pub, and follow the footpaths up to the Jack and Jill windmills and pick up the South Downs Way as it goes off in an easterly direction.
The easiest point of access for the South Downs Way heading west is at Pyecombe, get off the bus at the Pyecombe Garage stops. To the west of the Jack and Jill pub is Wolstonbury Hill, this is not on the South Downs Way but is a National Trust site with an iron age hill fort situated on it.

Ditchling – on Route 271, Sundays only
The pretty village of Ditchling is situated in the South Downs Park and dates back to Saxon times. There are two pubs, the White Horse and the Bull plus independent tea rooms. Ditchling Museum is also worth a visit. Ditchling Beacon is close by. Ditchling Beacon is one of the highest points on the South Downs and sits on the South Downs Way.

Washbrooks Farm, Hurstpierpoint – Route 273 only
Washbrooks Family Farm is in Hurstpierpoint and is served by Route 273 only. The farm is family run and there are plenty of animals for everyone to see. There are special events throughout the year so keep an eye on their website: www.washbrooks.co.uk

Nymans
At Handcross village, near Haywards Heath, Routes 271 and 273 stop near the entrance to National Trust-owned Nymans Garden. The garden is famous for its summer flower borders with June and July being the best months.

Tickets
Return tickets can be purchased from the driver. Or the Metrovoyager all zone ticket which offers unlimited travel for the day, and is also valid on Brighton & Hove Buses CitySaver area – these tickets can be purchased via Metrobus’ mobile app – see www.metrobus.co.uk/app to download it. Child fares are also available please see www.metrobus.co.uk for details.