Best walks near Crawley by train
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 Crawley, 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.
Guildford Station Circular via Watt’s Chapel (Surrey)
1h from Crawley, with one change.
13km. Moderate ascents. 3h30–6h.
Beginner-friendly: No coast or river to follow, but pretty straightforward long lines nonetheless, and Watt’s Chapel provides a lovely reward for reaching the midpoint of the circuit. The lunch stop is a simple café in the vicinity of Watt’s Chapel, so no messing around with booking a table in advance.
A rambler favourite!
Highlights: Watts Chapel, Watts Gallery, St Catherine's Chapel Ruins, and Guildford.
Lunch stop: Watts Gallery café (1h30–2h30 in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Withies Inn, Ye Olde Ship Inn, the Britannia, the White House, or the George Abbot.
Fishbourne Station Circular via Chichester Harbour (Sussex)
1h direct from Crawley.
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)
15m from Crawley, 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.
Gomshall Station to Guildford Station (Surrey)
45m from Crawley, with one change.
16km. Gentle ascents. 4h–7h.
Fields, wooded valley, pine woods, heathland common, stud farms, and canal and riverside path into a historic town. Can be muddy.
Highlights: Shere and Guildford.
Lunch stops in Shere (30m–1h in): the Dabbling Duck Café (excellent), Hillys Tea Shop, or the William Bray. Other lunch stop: the William IV (1h–1h30 in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Britannia, the White House, or the George Abbot.
Hurst Green Station to Oxted Station (Surrey)
45m from Crawley, with one change.
11km. Moderate ascents. 3h–5h.
Greensand hills, woodland, open country, and village paths. Can be muddy.
Lunch stops: the Carpenters Arms (1h–1h30 in), or the Grasshopper Inn (1h30–2h30 in).
End-of-walk reward: the Oxted Inn.
Leigh Station to Tunbridge Wells Station (Kent)
1h from Crawley, with one change.
16km. Moderate ascents. 4h30–7h30.
Rolling Kent hills, pastoral river valleys, parkland, woods, lakes, and commons extending into town. Can be muddy.
Lunch stop: the Leicester Arms Pub (1h–2h in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Mount Edgcumbe, the Grove Tavern, the Compasses, the Bedford, or the Claremont.
Merstham Station to Tattenham Corner Station (Surrey)
30m direct from Crawley.
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)
45m from Crawley, with one change.
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.
Gomshall Station Circular via Shere (Surrey)
45m from Crawley, with one change.
Tough: steep ascents. 10km. 3h–5h.
An essential walk! Can be muddy.
Highlights: Saint James's Church (see the remains of where a devout anchorite was encased within the church walls) and Shere.
Lunch stops in Shere (1h–1h30 in): the Dabbling Duck Café (excellent), the William Bray, Hillys Tea Shop, or the White Horse. Other lunch stops: the Drummond Arms (1h–2h in), Mandira's Kitchen (1h–2h in), or Carb Up and Go (1h30–3h in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Compasses Inn, or the Gomshall Mill.
Penshurst Station Circular via Chiddingstone (Kent)
45m from Crawley, with one change.
13km. Moderate ascents. 3h30–6h.
A rambler favourite! Stately home.
Highlights: Chiddingstone Village and Penshurst Place (worth a visit but needs a day in itself).
Lunch stops in Chiddingstone (1h–1h30 in): the Tulip Tree, or the Castle Inn. Lunch stops in Penshurst (2h–3h30 in): the Leicester Arms Pub, or Penshurst Place.
End-of-walk reward: the Little Brown Jug.
Box Hill & Westhumble Station Circular via Mickleham (Surrey)
45m from Crawley, with one change.
Tough: steep ascents. 8km. 2h30–4h30.
Hills and woodland.
Lunch stops in Mickleham (30m–1h in): the Running Horses, or the King William IV.
End-of-walk rewards: Box Hill Café, Ryka's Café, or the Stepping Stones.