Our favourite Sussex walks

If you love nothing more than to ramble about discovering the UK’s striking countryside, Sussex is a great place to grab your boots and get out and about. This selection of our favourite Sussex walks suits a range of fitness levels and provides the chance to see a variety of interesting attractions along the way, from historical architecture to incredible landscapes and ancient hillforts.

Ditchling Beacon to Devil’s Dyke

Ditchling Beacon to Devil’s Dyke is a moderate 5-mile walk which includes some stunning sections of the South Downs Way. The route offers walkers fantastic panoramic views of the beautiful South Downs landscape, particularly at Devil’s Dyke which is the UK’s biggest dry valley and a great place to see butterflies and wild flowers in summer. You will also come across windmills on your way and the Iron Age hill fort at Ditchling Beacon which is also famous for its panoramic views.

And because you're near Ditchling, staying at the Blackberry Wood glamping site is an absolute must!

Cuckmere Haven

Cuckmere Haven, alternatively referred to as the Cuckmere Estuary, is a beautiful region of flood plains where the River Cuckmere meanders down to the chalk cliffs of the English Channel. The area provides a picturesque place for a leisurely flat walk which follows the river meanders for about 2.5 miles down to the sea. This area is also home to an abundance of wildlife, particularly birds, which makes it a great spot for birdwatching. The beach at Cuckmere Haven forms part of the Seven Sisters Country Park and is an excellent place to see the striking chalk cliffs known as the Seven Sisters.

Cissbury Ring and Chanctonbury Ring

Cissbury and Chanctonbury Rings are famous and mysterious Iron Age hillforts which offer stunning views of the surrounding countryside right down to the sea. The hills can be explored individually or together by walking from one to the other. The walk between the ancient hillforts is fairly strenuous, but the effort is well worth it for the pretty panoramic views. In addition to Cissbury Ring and Chanctonbury Ring walkers can see other attractions in the area such as Neolithic flint mines and Bronze Age burial mounds.

1066 Country Walk

Walkers who are keen to tread in the steps of history will enjoy rambling along the 1066 Country Walk, which puts walkers in the shoes of William the Conqueror during his successful efforts to win the 1066 Battle of Hastings. This is a long-distance route of about 31 miles and has plenty of intriguing sights along the way for walkers to see. These include Pevensey Castle and the fabulous Herstmonceux Castle, as well as Battle Abbey which is situated on the site of the famous Battle of Hastings.

Slindon Woods

The Slindon Estate encompasses a variety of landscapes, from woods to farmland, but a stroll through Slindon Woods offers a particularly pleasant way to pass the time. Spring is a great time to visit thanks to the abundance of pretty woodland flowers but the woods make for a beautiful walking spot during any season.

There are several lovely walks to choose from, such as the Eartham to Puck Lane and Nore Hill Folly walk or the Stane Street, Leper's Path, and Gumber Lynchets walk, both of which are about 3.75 miles long. Alternatively for a longer route ramblers can try the 6.5-mile long Bridle Road to Bignor walk.

Arundel to Amberley Walk

Taking in the stunning Arundel Castle Park and beautiful views along the River Arun and the South Downs, there are a number of good options for walking from the town of Arundel to the village of Amberley in West Sussex. This walk takes in most of the significant landscapes of the area and is around 12 miles long, but provides walkers with several options for lengthening or shortening it. Along the way you will pass through very attractive countryside and be greeted with a range of sights such as Arundel Castle, Amberley Castle and a number of churches. There are some good pubs in both towns where you can get lunch, with Amberley being the logical lunch stop if you start your walk in Arundel.

Nymans lakes, cascades and woods walk

Walkers who are eager to enjoy the stunning natural delights of Sussex without strenuous effort should definitely make an effort to do the Nymans lakes, cascades and meadow short woods walk. This easy walk is 2 miles in length and takes around an hour to complete. During the route you will have the chance to explore the beautiful Nyman Gardens (for which there is an entrance fee), as well as see the tallest tree in Sussex, linger by a picturesque pond which is home to a variety of wildlife, and discover the delight of the pretty cascades.

Superb settings for leisurely strolls and active long-distance adventures

Stunning Sussex is a walker’s paradise, with an abundance of fun and beautiful walks to cater to all fitness levels, time constraints and interests. All you have to do is pick your favourite, grab your map and boots, pack some lunch and set off to discover the striking Sussex landscape for yourself.