This shortish walk can be enjoyed whilst taking in a visit to this lively sea-side resort and the need for a good walk with sea air is a requirement! A multitude of frequent buses at the end will return you to your start, seemingly anytime of day and into the evening as well, so no timetable planning required. The paths are 'shared' with bikes and we came across many of the light-green "Boris" type bikes, hired-out and taking advantage of the weather and almost level paths.
It was a lovely early October day when we embarked on a shopping trip with a promise of an afternoon walk to wash away the shopping cobwebs. Our own bus journey started earlier from near Henfield taking the first concession bus of the day, the 9:45, Stagecoach number 17 to Churchill Square, a retail-therapy paradise! Purchases soon made we were off to the sea front where the proper walk started just beside the famous pier. 
With the recently constructed 360 tower behind us we passed by the thrill-seekers zip-wire tower just erected on the site of a miniature version of the London Eye that had been a familiar landmark for several years but as it was temporary, I assumed it was past its sell-by date? I spoke to a recently zipped guy commenting on the scary sudden stop and how it felt? He said that the max-windspeed of 20 kms that allowed it to be safely operated had almost been reached and as it was directly behind our 'victim' causing him to accelerate to such an extent that the carefully designed breaking system failed to slow him gently, as intended, but to stop him with such force he felt that most of his body was being stretched away from his arms and that they would be the only things left just holding the T-bar handle! But it was great......he said!
On with the walk and passing the first signs of major investment and renovation of the Victorian tram way that stretches for about a mile along the top of the beach with a new station being developed at both ends. Madeira Drive is an important and iconic place where many events and activities take place and various 'runs' throughout the years, terminates, such as the annual veteran car run from London to Brighton. It's a shame then that it has fallen into what look likes, terminal disrepair. Placards and posters are looking to crowdfunding to save it but surely such an important and historical road and cast-iron arches deserves some funding from central or local coffers. As it seems to us that not a weekend goes by when it is not full of runners, walkers, cars, motorbikes and veteran or historic vehicles, this surely must be able to raise sufficient revenue to revitalise and maintain this area? Gripe over for now, so back to the walk........and the sun has definitely got it's hat-on this morning. Just down to T-shirt and shorts we skirt around a no-man's section and enter briefly into the concrete structure that is the Marina. The multi-storey carpark is not pretty but the smart houses and boats look as if this is a well liked community to live and play here. It has shops of course, a supermarket, cinema, pubs and a hotel. Buses serve the harbour-village throughout the day and into the night. A small fishing fleet share the marina with fine sailing ships and floating 'gin-palaces' but we walk around the gated under cliff path, thankfully open today, closing only in really bad weather or other exceptional circumstances. There is the usual information board but it is worth spending a couple of minutes reading about the geo-history of the beach and chalk cliffs, imagining how many fish and other crustaceans have expired to create this wonderful feature. The wind abates, blocked out by the cliffs but there is still enough to make cycling or jogging towards the west a little more difficult than our wind- assisted and somewhat brisk walk, eastwards. Metre markers are painted on the walls at 1Km intervals which is handy if you are counting steps to assist with your map reading skills or trying to pace yourself if jogging I assume. For a well earned tea and cake or something a little more substantial we recommend to ignore other distractions and steps up but to continue on to the Rottingdean turn and then just beyond, almost to the end of the path. Molly's Cafe is just past the path up and has both outdoor and indoor seating. We started outside, but the food began to blow off the plate so we moved inside to finish off a cup of tea and sandwich with crisps. Take advantage of the loos here even just for the slightly odd modern design of shared by all, facilities! Now go up into Rottingdean and explore more,if you feel you must, before finding the bus shelter where you will wait at most, 10 minutes for one of many buses that take you back into Brighton.
Not a long walk, not at all challenging too, but on a fine day it blows away the cobwebs, puts ample vitamin 'Ds' back into the skin and makes you feel full of life by taking in the oodles of 'free' seaside ozone.