Walks you can reach from Cooksbridge by train
MapA day hike is just a simple train journey away — plan your next day of green.
Alternatively, view walks directly from Cooksbridge.
Lewes Circular via Southease (Sussex)
5 minutes direct from Cooksbridge.
Highly recommended: Three distinct downland ridges, wide open chalk paths, panoramic views, historic town streets and gentle valleys.
Monk's House – Virginia Woolf's Home (National Trust; 4h in)
Time: 8h30 (6h30 walking, 1h30 lunch, 30m break)
5 lunch spots: Glynde (1h45 in) — Glynde Stores & Post, or the Trevor Arms; plus the YHA Southease Hostel & Campsite (3h30 in), the Abergavenny Arms (4h in), or the Juggs (5h45 in)
Warnings: Three steep climbs.
Source: Trains2Green.
Similar walk: the Saturday Walkers Club.
Lewes to Southease (Sussex)
5 minutes direct from Cooksbridge.
Highly recommended: Escarpments, three distinct downland ridges, wide open chalk paths, panoramic views, historic town streets and gentle valleys.
Hilly: a third on high ground, rising above the surrounding land.
Lewes (15m in)
Time: 6h (4h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)
2 lunch spots: the Trevor Arms (1h45 in), or the Ram Inn, Firle (2h30 in)
1 end-of-walk reward: Courtyard Café at YHA Southease Hostel
Adapted from: The Rough Guide to Walks in London & the South East (3rd edition).
Berwick to Eastbourne (Sussex)
30 minutes direct from Cooksbridge.
Highly recommended: Farmland, reservoir, chalk downland, ridge grassland, chalk figure, smugglers villages and seaside resort.
Eastbourne (5h30 in)
Time: 7h30 (5h30 walking, 1h30 lunch, 30m break)
2 lunch spots: the Eight Bells (2h45 in), or Jevington Tea Garden (2h45 in)
1 end-of-walk reward: the Duke of Devonshire
Adapted from: Time Out Country Walks Volume 2.
Similar walk: the Saturday Walkers Club.
Eastbourne to Seaford (Sussex)
30 minutes direct from Cooksbridge.
Highly recommended: Spectacular white cliffs in a well-protected national landscape. Immense white chalk cliffs, sea, marshes, meadows and beachfront.
Hilly: a quarter on high ground, rising above the surrounding land.
Coastal: four fifths along the coast.
Eastbourne (2h30 in)
Birling Gap (National Trust; 3h15 in)
Cuckmere Valley (National Trust; 4h45 in)
Time: 8h30 (6h30 walking, 1h30 lunch, 30m break)
4 lunch spots: the Kiosk (1h15 in), Cadence Cafe Beachy Head (2h in), the Beachy Head Pub (2h in), or Birling Gap café (3h15 in; excellent)
1 end-of-walk reward: the Cuckmere Inn
Best months: Jun-Jul (when the chalk is gleaming).
Warnings: Very popular and busy.
Source: Trains2Green.
Haywards Heath Circular via Lindfield (Sussex)
15 minutes direct from Cooksbridge.
Low hills, Ouse Valley, woodland, nature reserves, fields, hedgerows, historic villages and canal-era river crossings.
Time: 6h (4h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)
Warnings: Can be muddy.
Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).
Eastbourne Circular via Eastbourne Pier (Sussex)
30 minutes direct from Cooksbridge.
All-tarmac seafront town walk past grand Victorian hotels, a pier, a Martello tower, the Winter Gardens, a gallery and elegant districts; a few moderate climbs.
Time: 4h (2h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)
Walk details: Travelog Lewes (tips, photos, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).
Lewes to Seaford (Sussex)
5 minutes direct from Cooksbridge.
South Downs ridges, open downland, sweeping valley, remote hidden valley, coastal shingle beach and recreation ground.
Time: 8h (6h walking, 1h30 lunch, 30m break)
Warnings: Steep climbs.
Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).
Wivelsfield to Haywards Heath (Sussex)
15 minutes direct from Cooksbridge.
Woods, wildflower meadows, farmland, High Weald ridge, golf course and suburban road sections.
Time: 6h (4h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)
Warnings: Can be muddy.
Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).
Haywards Heath to Balcombe (Sussex)
15 minutes direct from Cooksbridge.
Undulating High Weald farmland, woodland, golf course, reservoir dam wall, fields and a private school grounds.
Time: 5h30 (4h walking, 1h30 lunch)
Warnings: Can be muddy.
Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).
Haywards Heath to Hassocks (Sussex)
15 minutes direct from Cooksbridge.
Rolling Sussex countryside and South Downs views; farmland and woodland through Ditchling along an old Roman road.
Woodland: a quarter under tree cover.
Time: 5h30 (4h walking, 1h30 lunch)
Walk details: Walking Post (tips, photos and local insights).
Hampden Park to Eastbourne (Sussex)
30 minutes direct from Cooksbridge.
Parks, woods, chalk downland ridges, open grassland, chalk heath, dense beech forest, coastal farmland, golf course and Victorian seaside town.
Time: 8h (6h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)
Warnings: Steep descents.
Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).
Eastbourne to Hastings (Sussex)
30 minutes direct from Cooksbridge.
Flat coastal seafront promenades, shingle beach, sandy beach at low tide, sea wall paths, quiet coast roads and low cliffs.
Time: 8h (6h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)
Warnings: Shingle heavy going.
Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).