10 Essential Stages of the Official London to Brighton Cycle Route

A popular long-day route for road and sport cyclists, the London to Brighton ride follows the A23 corridor south from London across the Surrey Hills into the South Downs and finishes on Brighton seafront. The full distance is commonly quoted as about 54 miles (87 km) depending on start/end points and small detours. This list breaks the ride into 10 manageable stages with landmarks, terrain notes, places to refuel and safety tips so you can plan your ride with confidence.

Key references:

  1. Stage 1 — Central London to Clapham / Balham (0–5 miles)
  • What to expect: Urban streets, plenty of traffic lights, wide cycle lanes in parts of south London.
  • Why it matters: A gentle warm-up before leaving the built-up area; good last-minute shops and cafés for supplies.
  • Pitstop suggestions: Clapham Common, Balham high street.
  • Tips: Use quiet residential backroutes or segregated cycle lanes where possible; keep lights on if starting early.
  1. Stage 2 — Clapham to Croydon (5–13 miles)
  • What to expect: Mixed urban and suburban riding, more roundabouts and arterial roads as you head south.
  • Landmarks: Streatham, Norbury, then approaching Croydon.
  • Pitstop suggestions: Croydon town centre offers bike shops and cafés.
  • Tips: Expect busier junctions; consider temporary route changes through local parks to avoid heavy traffic.
  1. Stage 3 — Croydon to Purley / Coulsdon (13–19 miles)
  • What to expect: Gradual move into suburban Surrey; more green corridors and slightly quieter roads in parts.
  • Landmarks: Purley, then the entrance to the Surrey hills near Coulsdon.
  • Pitstop suggestions: Purley high street; last services before the hillier sections.
  • Tips: Check tyres and brakes — you’ll want them in good order for the approaching climbs and descents.
  1. Stage 4 — Coulsdon to Hooley / Merstham (19–26 miles)
  • What to expect: Short but noticeable climbs leaving the London basin; more A-road sections.
  • Landmarks: Hooley and Merstham sit on the edge of the North Downs; you’ll notice a change in landscape.
  • Pitstop suggestions: Small cafés and convenience stores in these suburbs.
  • Tips: Keep to the nearside and be wary of fast-moving traffic on A-road stretches; use any available cycle lanes or alternative minor roads.
  1. Stage 5 — Merstham / Redhill area to Gatwick / Crawley outskirts (26–36 miles)
  • What to expect: A longer middle section where the road flattens a little but traffic can be steady, especially near Gatwick Airport.
  • Landmarks: Gatwick / Crawley corridor — services and larger shops available.
  • Pitstop suggestions: Crawley town centre has several cafés and bike shops; this is a common regroup point.
  • Tips: Watch for heavy vehicles near the airport and roundabouts; this is a sensible place to refuel and address any mechanicals.
  1. Stage 6 — Crawley to Handcross / Bolney area (36–44 miles)
  • What to expect: Entering more rural Sussex; quieter roads and rolling countryside as you approach the South Downs foothills.
  • Landmarks: Approaching the southern edge of the High Weald and the northern fringe of the South Downs.
  • Pitstop suggestions: Villages like Bolney or Handcross for a refreshment stop.
  • Tips: This stretch is good for keeping a steady cadence; top up water and snacks before the final climbs.
  1. Stage 7 — Bolney to Haywards Heath / Burgess Hill (44–49 miles)
  • What to expect: Undulating terrain with short climbs and descents; increased rural scenery.
  • Landmarks: Haywards Heath (services) and Burgess Hill are useful for last large-town stops.
  • Pitstop suggestions: Haywards Heath has supermarkets and cafés; Burgess Hill is a tidy alternative.
  • Tips: Make any last major equipment checks here (lights, tyre pressure, nutrition).
  1. Stage 8 — Burgess Hill to Ditchling Beacon (49–52 miles)
  • What to expect: One of the more notable climbs near Brighton — Ditchling Beacon and the rising ridge of the South Downs.
  • Landmark: Ditchling Beacon is a well-known viewpoint and steep short climb on approaches to Brighton: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/sussex/ditchling-beacon
  • Pitstop suggestions: Small cafés near the start of the climb; the top has great views but few services.
  • Tips: Pace this climb — it’s steep in sections. Use lower gears and keep a steady effort.
  1. Stage 9 — Ditchling Beacon descent to Patcham / northern Brighton (52–56 miles)
  • What to expect: Fast descent into the northern suburbs of Brighton; watch for sharp bends and local traffic.
  • Landmarks: Patcham, then the transition from South Downs down to urban Brighton.
  • Pitstop suggestions: Patcham has cafés and shops — a good place to regroup before the final coastal run.
  • Tips: Ensure your brakes are cooled and serviceable before descending; position for visibility on bends.
  1. Stage 10 — Patcham into Brighton seafront (56–end; total ≈54 miles depending on route)
  • What to expect: Final miles into the city, finishing on Brighton’s seafront (the exact endpoint varies by event or personal plan).
  • Landmarks: Arrival at Brighton seafront — iconic views and plenty of cafés, pubs and transport options for return.
  • Tips: Celebrate the finish, refuel, and check transport options if you’re returning to London by train (some operators accept bikes by reservation).

Quick planning & safety checklist

  • Distance & profile: Plan for roughly 54 miles (87 km) total depending on start/finish — confirm with your chosen route planner: https://www.cyclestreets.net/ or Sustrans resources: https://www.sustrans.org.uk/
  • Bike prep: Check tyres, brakes, chain; bring a spare tube, pump and basic tools.
  • Nutrition & water: Carry enough food/water for long rural stretches; refill in Crawley/Haywards Heath.
  • Visibility & kit: Lights, hi‑viz, and wet-weather gear are recommended — weather can change in the South Downs.
  • Traffic: Large parts of the traditional route follow the A23 and busy sections; consider quieter alternatives or use local cycle route detours where available.
  • Emergency & return: Mobile signal is generally available, but plan transport options out of Brighton if needed (train bike policies may vary).

Why break the ride into stages?

  • Manageable goals: Ten stages make planning breaks, refuelling and pacing simple.
  • Safety: Regular stops reduce fatigue and allow mechanical checks.
  • Social & logistics: Staged plans help group rides coordinate meeting points and support.

Sources and further reading

Safe riding — plan your timings, ride within your limits and enjoy the mix of urban, suburban and spectacular South Downs scenery on the ride into Brighton.