Best walks in Sussex by train
MapA day hike in the countryside is just a simple train journey away — explore the most charmingly located railway stations in Sussex and plan your next day of green.
Amberley Station to Arundel Station
45m from Brighton, with one change.
13km. Gentle ascents. 3h30–6h.
Beginner-friendly: A beautiful, varied walk with a number of sights along the way and the experience of seeing Arundel Castle gradually emerge on the horizon. Arundel itself is a romantic little town that’s worth exploring and appreciating if you have the time. Visiting the castle and its grounds would require a day in itself. Simply follow the river and cross over when you get to Arundel. You can’t go wrong! There’s only one place to have lunch en route (the George) and it can be busy on weekends, so reserve a table to avoid a wait — book for 2.5 hours after your arrival at Amberley to allow for a leisurely pace with time to dilly-dally and appreciate sights on the way. Book for 3 hours after your arrival for a slow pace or extra contingency! (or just pack lunch).
An essential walk!
Highlights: Arundel Castle and Arundel itself.
Lunch stop: the George (1h30–3h in).
End-of-walk reward: the Eagle.
Fishbourne Station Circular via Chichester Harbour
1h from Brighton, with one change.
Easy: 11km, flat terrain. 3h–5h.
Beginner-friendly: Just follow the coast and come back along a straight walk. It’s almost too simple! Flat, short and plenty of choices for lunch.
Chichester Harbour is a little-known National Landscape. Its protected saltmarsh landscape feeds an abundance of birdlife. It’s a major recreational harbour but somehow has a romantically melancholy and isolated air — you can imagine sea shanties being composed here.
Highlights: Chichester Harbour, Bosham, and Fishbourne Roman Palace & Gardens.
Lunch stops in Bosham (1h30–2h30 in): the Anchor Bleu, Timberley's, the Berkeley Arms, or Marwick's.
End-of-walk rewards: the Bull's Head Pub, or the Woolpack Inn.
East Grinstead Station Circular via Standen House
1h 30m from Brighton, with one change.
Easy: 8km, moderate ascents. 2h30–4h.
Beginner-friendly: This short walk is nearly all National Trust territory and signposted. If you want to make it even shorter and simpler, just skip the detour through the woods. The lunch stop is a simple café, so no messing around with booking a table in advance.
An essential walk! Mostly secluded.
Highlights: Standen House.
Lunch stop: Standen House café (1h–2h in).
Balcombe Station Circular via Nymans
30m from Brighton, with one change.
15km. Moderate ascents. 4h30–7h30.
A rambler favourite! Fields, woods, stream valleys, grassy hillsides, estate parkland, a fine old village, and stately home. Mostly secluded. Can be muddy.
Highlights: Nymans and the Ruins of Slaugham Place.
Lunch stops in Handcross (2h–3h in): Nymans café, the Red Lion, or JO.CO cafe.
End-of-walk reward: the Victory.
Lewes Station to Southease Station
15m direct from Brighton.
Tough: steep ascents. 16km. 4h30–8h.
An essential walk! Escarpments, three distinct downland ridges, wide open chalk paths, panoramic views, historic town streets, and gentle valleys.
Highlights: Lewes.
Lunch stops: the Trevor Arms (1h30–3h in), or the Ram Inn, Firle (2h30–4h in).
End-of-walk reward: Courtyard Café at YHA Southease Hostel.
Eastbourne Station to Seaford Station
45m from Brighton, with one change.
Tough: 23km, steep ascents. 6h30–11h.
An essential walk! Spectacular white cliffs in a well-protected national landscape. Immense white chalk cliffs, sea, marshes, meadows, and beachfront. Best Jun-Jul (when the chalk is gleaming). Very popular and busy.
Highlights: Eastbourne, Birling Gap, and Seven Sisters Country Park.
Lunch stops: the Kiosk (1h30–2h in), Cadence Cafe Beachy Head (2h–3h in), the Beachy Head Pub (2h–3h30 in), or Birling Gap café (3h–5h in; excellent).
End-of-walk rewards: the Cuckmere Inn, or the Old Plough.
Pevensey and Westham Station to Battle Station
45m from Brighton, with one change.
Tough: 29km. Moderate ascents. 8h–13h30.
An essential walk! Beautiful landscapes and multiple historic sights.
Highlights: Pevensey Castle, Herstmonceux Castle, Battle Abbey and Battlefield, Battle Abbey and Battlefield, Pevensey Levels, and Battle itself.
Lunch stops: Nuthatch Kitchen and Terrace (2h30–4h in), or the Ash Tree Inn (4h30–8h in).
End-of-walk rewards: the White Hart Pub, or Battle Abbey and Battlefield.
Winchelsea Station to Hastings Station
1h 15m from Brighton, with one change.
Tough: steep ascents. 18km. 4h–7h.
A rambler favourite!
Highlights: Hastings.
Lunch stops: the New Beach Club (1h30–2h30 in), or the Cove (2h–3h30 in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Jolly Fisherman, the Lord Nelson, the Royal Standard, the London Trader, the Hastings Arms, Ye Olde Pumphouse, the Cutter, or the Albion.
Goring-by-Sea Station to Worthing Station
30m direct from Brighton.
Tough: steep ascents. 19km. 5h30–9h.
Highlights: Highdown Gardens and Cissbury Ring Hill Fort.
Lunch stops: the Black Horse (3h–5h in), or the Gun Inn (3h–5h in).
Hassocks Station Circular via Ditchling Beacon
15m direct from Brighton.
Tough: steep ascents. 17km. 5h–8h30.
Quaint village, woods, and hilly. Can be muddy.
Highlights: Ditchling.
Lunch stops in Ditchling (1h–1h30 in): the White Horse, the Nutmeg Tree, or Ditchling Village. Other lunch stop: the Jack & Jill (3h–5h in).
End-of-walk reward: the Hassocks.
Crowborough Station Circular via Hornshurst Wood
1h 45m from Brighton, with one change.
Easy: 7km, moderate ascents. 2h–3h30.
Woodland, streams, meadows, and bluebells. Best in April (bluebell season).
Lunch: No lunch stops on route. Plenty of places to eat Crowborough itself.
Fishersgate Station to Hassocks Station
15m direct from Brighton.
Tough: steep ascents. 19km. 5h30.
Hill and moorland paths and with substantial climbs. Can be very muddy or boggy; Sections can be overgrown.