Seven Sisters & Cuckmere Valley

The year began with an invigorating walk on a crisp January morning. We set off from the Cuckmere Valley car park and climbed steadily up Exceat Hill, before winding our way through West Dene and into the quiet, mossy depths of Friston Forest. From there, the path rose again towards Friston village, where we crossed the road by the church and continued on towards the coast.

Reaching the clifftops, the landscape opened dramatically into the iconic sweep of the Seven Sisters. We turned west along the coastline, tackling a series of slippery descents and steep climbs, each one rewarded with ever‑changing views across sea, sky and chalk. Eventually we dropped back into the Cuckmere Valley and followed the gentle curve of the oxbow river all the way to the car.

It’s a superb route that captures the very best of the Sussex countryside: rolling chalk downland, peaceful ancient woodland, characterful hamlets with historic churches, and one of the most spectacular coastlines in Britain.

Devil’s Punch Bowl

A January walk around the vast natural amphitheatre of the Devil’s Punch Bowl, its sweeping views opening up along the high ridgeline paths. One moment looking across a deep, ancient valley carved by erosion, the next weaving through quiet woodland where Scots pines, heather and gorse create a wonderfully wild atmosphere.

Hindhead Common offers a gentler, more contemplative stretch of the route, with broad sandy tracks and pockets of heathland. The viewpoints are exceptional—Gibbet Hill in particular provides one of the highest panoramas in Surrey, stretching out towards the South Downs. Wildlife is a constant companion here: Dartford warblers flitting through the gorse and ponies grazing the heath.

Burpham

A very wet walk beginning in Burpham village, with flint cottages, a handsome church and the gentle curve of the Arun setting the tone before a climb onto the Downs. On top of the hill, the landscape opened out dramatically: broad chalk slopes and airy ridgelines. The South Downs Way taking us over Racham Hill first, where the views sweep across the Arun Valley towards Arundel.

Continuing over Springhead Hill, the character shifted subtly again. Here the Downs felt more intimate, with rolling contours, pockets of woodland and long, flowing paths that invited an easy rhythm. Dropping back towards Burpham, we were treated to a final panorama of the valley before re-entering the village’s sheltered charm.

Houghton Forest & Bignor Hill

A circuit through Houghton Forest, up onto Bignor Hill and across to Westburton Hill providing one of the most varied and rewarding walks in this part of the South Downs. Houghton Forest itself is a pleasure to wander: tall pines, quiet beech avenues and soft, springy paths that feel wonderfully secluded even on busy days. As you climb, the trees thin and the landscape opens, revealing the broad chalk ridge that leads towards Bignor Hill.

A walk blending woodland calm, high Downland drama and rich historical texture—one of those routes that feels both expansive and deeply rooted in the landscape.

Woodingdean

Leaving Woodingdean village, we climbed towards Swanborough Hill towards Lewes and the Ouse Valley. The South Downs Way traces the ridge here, and on either side there were (flooded) open fields and the sea in the distance. Bullock Hill offered a quieter, more remote stretch.

From there, we headed through Castle Hill National Nature Reserve and up Newmarket Hill, then back to Woodingdean. It’s one of the most rewarding loops on the eastern edge of Brighton.

Beachy Head

A walk around the Beachy Head chalk headland on a cloudy, windy day has a raw, elemental beauty. The clifftop path provided sweeping views along the white cliffs and out to the red‑and‑white lighthouse.

We took a detour down to Cow Gap. The steep zig‑zag descent taking us from the airy clifftops to a shoreline that feels tucked away and almost secretive. Down here, the waves crash against the rocks, the air is thick with salt spray, and the cliffs rise above you like a vast white wall.

Climbing back up to the headland was hard work, a steep climb, against the wind. It’s a walk that blends drama, solitude and shifting perspectives, making even a grey day feel unforgettable.

Firle Beacon

A walk along the South Downs Way from Firle Beacon provides stunning vistas of the Sussex landscape. Starting on the ridge, the path gives you huge, rolling views in every direction: the Weald stretching away in a patchwork of fields, the sweep of the Downs running east and west, and the sea glinting beyond Newhaven on a clear day. The South Downs Way here is spacious and airy, with long sightlines that make even a short walk feel expansive.

Dropping down towards Firle village, the landscape softens into a sheltered world of flint cottages, narrow lanes and the timeless calm of a traditional Downland estate village. Firle Park adds another layer of interest: sweeping parkland, ancient trees and the elegant presence of Firle Place set against the rising chalk behind it. Together, the ridge and the village create a walk that blends grandeur with intimacy—one of the most characterful stretches of the eastern Downs.

Cocking Hill & West Dean Woods

A misty March walk along the top of Cocking Down. The landscape opening in every direction: the Weald spreading away in a soft green mosaic, the chalk hills rolling east and west. That quiet, expansive atmosphere that makes the high Downs so restorative.

Dropping off the ridge into West Dean Woods, the open chalk gave way to deep, sheltered woodland. The paths wound through pockets of ancient woodland, mossy banks and hidden clearings alive with birdsong. We enjoyed the contrast between the airy Downs above and the enclosed world beneath the canopy.

Climbing back towards Cocking Down, the light opens again and the ridge reappears. It’s a route that blends height, tranquillity and rich woodland character.

Bignor Hill and Houghton Forest

A walk along the top of Bignor Hill is one of the great experiences of the South Downs, particularly on a beautiful March day like this one. As you rise to the summit the landscape widens around you: the Weald spreading out in soft greens, the chalk hills rolling away towards Chanctonbury, and the sea in the distant background.

From the far side of the ridge, the descent into Houghton Forest brings a complete shift in atmosphere. The open chalk gives way to deep woodland, where tall conifers and beech create cool, sheltered corridors alive with birdsong.

The steady climb back up via “The Denture”, a distinctive, tooth‑like spur that cuts through the heart of the forest. It’s a wonderfully atmospheric ascent: filtered light, mossy banks, and a sense of moving through a hidden green valley before the trees finally thin and the Downs open out once more.

The combination of high ridgeline, deep woodland and that memorable climb makes this one of the most varied and satisfying loops in the western Downs.

Piddinghoe

We started at the flint‑walled church in Piddinghoe, before heading out onto the riverside path. The River Ouse here is broad and unhurried, curving gently between grazing meadows and reed‑lined banks.

Reaching Riverside Park, the scenery shifted into a more open, recreational landscape where wide grassy areas and ponds attract birdlife.

Saddlescombe and Devils Dyke

A walk heading east from Saddlescombe where the landscape feels open, airy and full of movement. The climb to East Hill is steady but rewarding, giving you widening views over the farm, the scarp and the long sweep of the Adur Valley. From here the ridge undulates towards West Hill. Joining the Sussex Border Path, the route settles into a wonderfully rhythmic stretch, with long views towards Truleigh Hill and the sea glinting behind you.

Circling the high ground around Devil’s Dyke adds a dramatic flourish. The valley opens beneath you in a vast, amphitheatre‑like sweep, its steep sides carved by ancient meltwater and still carrying that sense of geological drama. The path skirts the rim before dropping into the valley itself. Climbing gently back towards Saddlescombe, the landscape gathers itself into a final, satisfying rise, rounding off a walk that blends height, history and one of the most iconic landforms on the South Downs.

Wepham – South Downs Hare Walk

A walk from Wepham following the South Downs Hare Walk is a wonderfully varied circuit that captures the quiet charm of the Arun Valley and the wide, rolling openness of the Downs above it. Leaving the tiny hamlet, the route rises gently through farmland and open slopes, giving you early views across to Burpham and the winding line of the river. As you climb higher, the landscape broadens into classic chalk country—smooth contours, big skies and that uplifting sense of space that defines this part of the Downs. The path often feels delightfully unhurried, with hares sometimes seen darting across the fields that give the walk its name. Reaching the higher ground, the ridge offers long views towards Arundel, Bignor Hill and the wooded Weald beyond.

The return leg loops across more open downland before dropping gradually back towards the Arun Valley. As you descend, the valley reasserts itself—broad, peaceful and framed by the rising chalk on either side. The final approach to Wepham feels calm and timeless, with the cluster of flint cottages appearing just as the landscape gathers into its gentler lower contours. Altogether, the South Downs Hare Walk blends height, tranquillity and rich rural character, making it one of the most rewarding short circuits in this quieter corner of the Downs.

Ashurt – Henfield loop

A looped walk from Ashurst to Henfield and back again is a gentle, wide‑open journey through the heart of the Adur Valley, where the landscape feels spacious, pastoral and deeply Sussex. Leaving Ashurst, the route crosses meadows and quiet lanes before slipping onto riverside paths that follow the River Adur as it winds south through grazing fields and reed‑lined banks.

Reaching Henfield, the route picks up the Downs Link, a former railway line now transformed into a wide, easy trail that carries you back north through open countryside. This section has a lovely sense of flow: big skies, hedgerows alive with birdsong, and long straight stretches that make for relaxed walking. As you leave the old trackbed and curve back towards Ashurst, the Adur Valley reappears—broad, green and quietly beautiful. The final approach into the village feels warm and familiar, rounding off a walk that blends riverside calm, rural openness and the gentle history of the Downs Link into one satisfying circuit.

Balcombe

A walk from Balcombe that winds through The Warren Woodland, Bushycroft Wood and Pearcelands Wood is a wonderfully immersive journey into the deep, green heart of the High Weald. Leaving the village, the path slipped quickly into a world of tall trees, mossy banks and winding tracks that feel far removed from everyday noise. The Warren is especially atmospheric—broad rides, shifting light through the canopy and that sense of old woodland that seems to hold its own quiet rhythm. As you continue into Bushycroft and Pearcelands Wood, the landscape becomes more intimate, with narrow paths threading between ferns, streams and pockets of ancient woodland that feel almost untouched.

Emerging from the trees, the route brushes past the boundary of Wakehurst Place, where the gardens and wild botanic landscapes add a subtle change in tone before the path drops towards Ardingly Brook. This stretch is peaceful and full of detail: clear water slipping over stones, birdsong echoing through the valley and glimpses of open meadows beyond the trees. The loop back towards Balcombe Lake brings a final flourish, with the water opening out between wooded slopes and offering a calm, reflective end to the walk. Returning to the village, you’re left with that satisfying sense of having travelled through a rich tapestry of woodland, water and quiet rural landscape—one of the most rewarding circuits in this part of Sussex.

Horsted Keynes

A walk from Horsted Keynes that loops past Mill Lake and Broadhurst Lake is a gentle, quietly beautiful journey through one of the most peaceful corners of the High Weald. Leaving the village, the route drops into a landscape of rolling fields and wooded edges before reaching the first of the lakes, where still water reflects overhanging trees and the occasional duck cuts a slow ripple across the surface. The path between the lakes feels wonderfully secluded, with glimpses of open farmland giving way to the cool, green shade of Birchgrove Wood. This stretch has that classic Wealden character—narrow, winding paths, mossy banks, and the sense of walking through a landscape that has changed very little over time.

Continuing through the woodland, the route passes the Ray Ward Memorial, a quiet, contemplative spot tucked among the trees, before turning back towards Horsted Keynes. As the woods thin, the landscape opens into a patchwork of meadows and gentle hills, with the village gradually reappearing on the skyline. The final approach feels warm and welcoming, especially with the promise of Horsted Keynes’ pubs waiting at the end—perfect for rounding off the walk with a drink or a meal. Altogether, it’s a route that blends lakeside calm, deep woodland and classic Sussex countryside, making it a deeply satisfying circuit.

Hornshurst Wood

A walk through Hornhurst Wood in the High Weald National Landscape is a wonderfully varied journey that blends woodland calm with the gentle character of Sussex farmland. Leaving the trees of Hornhurst behind you, the path winds through a landscape shaped by ancient routeways, small fields and hedgerows alive with birdsong. The woodland itself has that classic High Weald feel—tall oaks and chestnuts, mossy banks, winding tracks and sudden clearings where light pours through the canopy. As you emerge into open ground, the views stretch across rolling fields towards the ridges that frame this part of the Weald, giving the walk a lovely rhythm between enclosed woodland and open countryside.

Continuing towards Rotherfield, the route picks up the village’s distinctive mix of flint cottages, timbered buildings and quiet lanes that climb gently to the historic church at its centre. Local landmarks—old farmsteads, weathered barns, and long‑established field boundaries—give the walk a strong sense of place, grounding it in the deep rural history of the area. Looping back towards Hornhurst Wood, the path dips once more into the cool shade of the trees, where the sounds of the village fade and the woodland atmosphere returns. It’s a walk that blends heritage, landscape and tranquillity, offering a perfect snapshot of what makes the High Weald so quietly captivating.

Rudgwick

A walk from Rudgwick that takes in Gravatt’s Hangar, Greathouse Hangar, Roman Woods and the historic Site of Ironworks is a wonderfully layered journey through deep woodland, quiet valleys and traces of early industry hidden in the landscape. Leaving the village, the route slips quickly into the cool shade of Gravatt’s and Greathouse Hangar Woods, where tall trees, fern‑lined paths and the scent of leaf‑mould create that classic Wealden woodland atmosphere. These woods feel old and enveloping, with winding tracks that rise and fall gently as they follow the natural folds of the land. As you continue into Roman Woods, the sense of history deepens—earthworks, old boundary banks and subtle changes in the terrain hint at centuries of human use long before the modern village existed.

The walk’s most distinctive feature is the historic Site of Ironworks, a reminder of the Weald’s role as a major centre of iron production from medieval times through to the early industrial era. Even though much is now softened by moss and woodland, the remnants of furnaces, water systems and working platforms give this section a quiet, evocative character. From here, the route passes Furnace Lake, its still water reflecting the surrounding trees and offering a peaceful pause before joining the Downs Link. This former railway line provides an easy, flowing return towards Rudgwick, with wide views opening between wooded stretches. Altogether, it’s a walk that blends deep woodland, industrial heritage and gentle countryside into a richly satisfying circuit.

West Hoathly

A walk from West Hoathly that threads through Gravetye Manor Gardens, Warrens Wood and Bushy Wood is a richly textured journey through some of the most beautiful and historically layered landscapes in the High Weald. Leaving the village, the route descends towards the celebrated gardens of Gravetye Manor, where the legacy of William Robinson still shapes the land—naturalistic plantings, sweeping woodland edges and a sense of cultivated wildness that blends seamlessly into the surrounding countryside. From here, the path slips into Warrens Wood, a deep, atmospheric stretch of oak, chestnut and beech where the light filters softly through the canopy and the woodland floor is alive with ferns, moss and birdsong. The transition into Bushy Wood continues the theme of quiet seclusion, with winding tracks and glimpses of old field boundaries that hint at centuries of rural life.

Beyond the woods, the walk opens out towards Stone Farm Rocks, an impressive sandstone outcrop that rises unexpectedly from the landscape. Its weathered formations and far‑reaching views make it a striking landmark and a natural pause point before the route turns back towards West Hoathly. The return leg leads through Giffards Wood and Shagswell Wood, each offering their own blend of narrow paths, dappled light and the timeless calm of ancient woodland. As the trees thin and the village reappears on the ridge, the walk gathers itself into a satisfying finish—returning you to West Hoathly’s pubs, cottages and church with the sense of having travelled through a landscape rich in texture, history and quiet beauty.

Friends Clump

A walk from Friends Clump in Ashdown Forest begins with that classic mix of open heathland, sweeping views and the soft, resin‑scented air that always seems to hang over the pines here. The path heads out across gently rolling ground before curving towards Nutley Windmill. Even on a grey day it feels striking—white weatherboarding, long sails and wide views across the forested ridges. From here, the route opens into a broad circuit around Ashdown Forest, where sandy tracks, gorse‑lined paths and pockets of woodland create a constantly shifting rhythm. It’s the kind of landscape where you can walk for minutes in open heath and then suddenly find yourself enclosed by birch and pine.

The climb up Camp Hill adds a satisfying sense of height, giving you one of the best panoramas in this part of the forest—rolling ridges, distant farms and the patchwork of heath and woodland that defines Ashdown’s character. The descent leads back into quieter valleys, where the paths feel softer underfoot and the forest gathers into a more intimate scale. As you loop back towards Friends Clump, the trees open once more and the familiar sweep of heathland reappears, rounding off the walk with a sense of spaciousness and calm. It’s a route that blends big views, historic landmarks and the quiet magic of Ashdown Forest’s varied terrain.

Nutbourne

A walk from Nutbourne that passes Nutbourne Windmill begins with a lovely sense of height and heritage. The windmill stands on its rise above the village like a quiet sentinel, its white weatherboarding and broad views setting the tone for the route. From here, the path drops gently into the landscape before threading through the neat rows of Nyetimber Vineyard, where the symmetry of the vines and the open sweep of the surrounding countryside create a striking contrast. This section feels bright and expansive, with long views across the western Weald and the soft rise of the Downs in the distance. Picking up the West Sussex Literary Trail, the walk settles into a gentle rhythm, following old field boundaries and farm tracks that echo centuries of rural life.

Continuing into Woodhill Copse, the mood shifts into cool woodland calm—dappled light, birdsong, and winding paths that weave between oak, hazel and chestnut. Emerging from the trees, the route loops back towards Nutbourne Vineyard, offering a second, more intimate perspective on the vines as they climb the gentle slopes around the estate. The final stretch back into the village feels warm and welcoming, with the windmill reappearing as a familiar landmark on the skyline. Altogether, it’s a walk that blends rural charm, woodland quiet and the distinctive character of Sussex wine country into a beautifully balanced circuit.

Scaynes Hill

A walk from Scaynes Hill that follows both the Sussex Ouse Valley Way and the Sussex Border Path is a wonderfully varied journey through the gentle, wooded landscapes east of Haywards Heath. Leaving the village, the route settles quickly into a peaceful rhythm as it joins the Ouse Valley Way, tracing old field boundaries and quiet lanes before slipping into the cool shade of Wapsbourne Wood. This first stretch has that classic High Weald character—narrow, winding paths, mossy banks, and glimpses of small pastures tucked between the trees. The woodland feels deep and enveloping, with birdsong echoing through the canopy and the occasional stream cutting a bright line through the undergrowth.

Continuing onto the Sussex Border Path, the walk carries you into Great Wood and Henfield Wood, where the landscape becomes even more atmospheric. These woods are rich in texture: tall oaks and chestnuts, patches of conifer, and long, straight rides that suddenly give way to intimate, fern‑lined paths. The sense of quiet is striking, broken only by the rustle of deer or the tap of a woodpecker somewhere in the trees. As the route loops back towards Scaynes Hill, the woodland gradually thins and the surrounding farmland opens out once more, giving the walk a gentle, satisfying finish. It’s a circuit that blends tranquillity, variety and the timeless charm of the High Weald.