Walks from Burgess Hill

Rolling farmland, chalky downland, wooded copses, open hilltops, golf courses, picturesque villages and panoramic South Downs ridge.

Time: 7h

Warnings: Can be very muddy.

Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).

Recommended: Really peaceful. A peaceful route mainly on field paths and woodland tracks through the Low Weald clay country of small fields, hedgerows and patches of woodland, with a short section of road walking. Actively farmed land with arable, mowed hay and recently ploughed fields; numerous stiles and gates and footbridges. Passes through Ditchling Common; occasional glimpses of the South Downs; the churches at Chailey and Newick have quiet benches in the churchyards; there is a memorial to Polish WW2 squadrons near Plumpton Green.

Woodland: a fifth under tree cover.

Time: 5h–10h30

Lunch: Newick has several pubs, a bakery and a village shop a short diversion off the route.

Warnings: Fields containing cattle and sheep; numerous stiles, gates and footbridges to negotiate; one field is home to camels you must not walk through.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

The best of Sussex downland. A varied South Downs route through woodland, fields and small villages with great downland views, including a steep climb from Ditchling up the chalky, narrow bostal path to Ditchling Beacon, then the South Downs Way past Black Cap and the old racecourse into Lewes. Many sections become very muddy and boggy in winter and requiring boots; expect grazing cattle and sheep. Follows the South Downs Way along the top; passes through Batchelors Farm nature reserve.

Hilly: two fifths on high ground, rising above the surrounding land.

Ditchling Beacon: One of the highest points on the South Downs with near-360-degree views.

Time: 4h30–9h

Lunch: Ditchling, roughly mid-route, has cafes, pubs, a shop and public toilets.

Warnings: A short section along a narrow verge beside the busy Keymer Road; the climb up to Ditchling Beacon is steep with a deeply eroded rainwater channel. Cattle graze on the Downs. Can be muddy.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Some delightful views. A route making the most of urban green spaces, including railway lands, Ashenground Woods, Victoria Park and The Heath, linked by the wide, quiet but muddy Theobalds Road bridleway. Fairly road-heavy at each end; the bridleway and railway-side paths can be nearly impassable with mud after heavy rain and there are several stiles. Theobalds Road is the ancient bridle path connecting the two towns, with signs explaining the area's history and nature. Wivelsfield station, on the route, is the better-connected of Burgess Hill's two stations.

Woodland: a quarter under tree cover.

The Victoria Park: East London's oldest public park, opened in 1845.

Time: 2h–4h

Lunch: Shops and a pub around Wivelsfield Station.

Warnings: A fifth urban. The Theobalds Road bridleway and the paths north of Rocky Lane can be extremely muddy, nearly impassable for around a kilometre after heavy rain. Several stiles, plus a level crossing on Junction Road that frequently closes.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Many attractive sections. A long route mainly on field paths and woodland tracks with the occasional farm track, through attractive countryside and woodland. Lots of stiles and kissing gates and a couple of short sections walking the verge beside busy roads. Pretty muddy in places after wet weather. Includes part of the High Weald Landscape Trail. A long route passing no refreshment opportunities, so take food and plenty of water. Has a railway station at each end, making a good day walk.

Woodland: two fifths under tree cover.

St Leonard's Forest: An expansive forest of ancient woodland between Horsham and Crawley.

Time: 7h–14h30

Lunch: A long route passing no refreshment opportunities, so take sandwiches and plenty of water.

Warnings: A couple of short sections walk the verge beside busy roads, particularly Isaacs Lane north of Burgess Hill. Many stiles and kissing gates. Pretty muddy in winter.

Walk details: Slow Ways.