Best walks near Brighton by train
Sussex · South East England | Walks by foot
MapA day hike in the countryside is just a simple train journey away — explore the most charmingly located railway stations in South East England and plan your next day of green.
Amberley Station to Arundel Station (Sussex)
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 (Sussex)
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.
Balcombe Station Circular via Nymans (Sussex)
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.
Merstham Station to Tattenham Corner Station (Surrey)
45m from Brighton, with one change.
15km. Moderate ascents. 4h30–7h30.
Epic scenery sadly spoiled by the constant drone of the M25. North Downs ridge, parkland, open heathland, wooded paths, racecourse downland, and London panoramas. Relatively busy. Race days restrict access.
Lunch stops: Cafe Junction 8 (1h–2h in), the Sportsman (2h–3h30 in), or the Bell (3h–5h in).
End-of-walk reward: the Tattenham Corner.
Lewes Station to Southease Station (Sussex)
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 (Sussex)
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 (Sussex)
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.
Goring-by-Sea Station to Worthing Station (Sussex)
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 (Sussex)
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.
Balcombe Station Circular via Ardingly Reservoir (Sussex)
30m from Brighton, with one change.
11km. Moderate ascents. 3h–5h30.
Highlights: Ardingley Reservoir.
Lunch stop: Ardingly Reservoir Activity Centre Café (1h30–3h in).
Coulsdon South Station to Redhill Station (Surrey)
45m from Brighton, with one change.
15km. Moderate ascents. 4h–7h.
Pleasant but apparent that you haven't left London.
Lunch stop: the Harrow Pub (2h–3h30 in).
End-of-walk reward: the Home Cottage.
Fishersgate Station to Hassocks Station (Sussex)
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.