Walks near Eastbourne by train
MapA day hike in the countryside is just a simple train journey away — explore the most charmingly located railway stations near Eastbourne and plan your next day of green.
Alternatively, view walks directly from Eastbourne.
Balcombe Circular via Nymans (Sussex)
1 hour from Eastbourne, with one change.
Highly recommended: Fields, woods, stream valleys, grassy hillsides, estate parkland, a fine old village and stately home. Mostly secluded.
Woodland: half under tree cover.
Time: 4h30–8h30
3 lunch spots: Handcross (2h–3h30 in) — Nymans café, the Red Lion, or JO.CO cafe
1 end-of-walk reward: the Victory
Warnings: Can be muddy.
Adapted from: Time Out Country Walks Volume 1.
Similar walk: the Saturday Walkers Club.
Wadhurst Circular via Bewl Water (Sussex)
1 hour from Eastbourne, with one change.
Highly recommended: Hidden valleys, ancient woods, quaint old farms, reservoir shoreline, hilltop village and gentle but rolling Wealden landscape.
Woodland: a quarter under tree cover.
Time: 5h–9h30
2 lunch spots: the Old Vine (1h30–3h in), or Waterfront Café (2h–3h30 in)
Warnings: Can be muddy.
Adapted from: Time Out Country Walks Volume 2.
Similar walk: the Saturday Walkers Club.
Tunbridge Wells Circular via Groombridge (Kent)
1 hour from Eastbourne, with one change.
Highly recommended: Escarpments.
Woodland: a third under tree cover.
Time: 6h30–12h30
2 lunch spots: Frant (1h30–3h in) — the Abergavenny Arms, or the George
3 end-of-walk rewards: the Crown Inn, the High Rocks, or the Pantiles
Adapted from: The Rough Guide to Walks in London & the South East (3rd edition).
Similar walk: the Saturday Walkers Club.
Pevensey and Westham to Battle (Sussex)
9 minutes direct from Eastbourne.
Highly recommended: Beautiful landscapes and multiple historic sights.
Time: 8h–15h30
2 lunch spots: Nuthatch Kitchen and Terrace (2h30–5h in), or the Ash Tree Inn (4h30–9h30 in)
2 end-of-walk rewards: the White Hart Pub, or Battle Abbey and Battlefield
Adapted from: The Rough Guide to Walks in London & the South East (3rd edition).
Lewes to Southease (Sussex)
15 minutes direct from Eastbourne.
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.
Time: 4h30–9h
2 lunch spots: the Trevor Arms (1h30–3h30 in), or the Ram Inn, Firle (2h30–5h 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).
Glynde to Seaford (Sussex)
15 minutes direct from Eastbourne.
Highly recommended: South Downs ridge, chalk downland, Firle Park, river valley, ancient villages, forest, coastal cliffs, shingle beach and esplanade.
Time: 6h30–12h30
5 lunch spots: Alfriston (3h–6h30 in) — the Star Inn, the Old Smugglers Inn, or the Six Bells; plus the Ram Inn, Firle (30m–1h30 in), or the Plough & Harrow (3h30–7h30 in)
2 end-of-walk rewards: the Cuckmere Inn, or the Old Boot Inn
Warnings: Crumbly cliff edges.
Adapted from: Time Out Country Walks Volume 1.
Similar walk: the Saturday Walkers Club.
Winchelsea to Hastings (Sussex)
45 minutes from Eastbourne, with one change.
Highly recommended
Coastal: three quarters along the coast.
Time: 4h–8h30
2 lunch spots: the New Beach Club (1h30–3h in), or the Cove (2h–4h in)
8 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
Adapted from: The Rough Guide to Walks in London & the South East (3rd edition).
Similar walk: the Saturday Walkers Club.
Amberley to Shoreham-by-Sea (Sussex)
1 hour from Eastbourne, with one change.
Highly recommended: Open chalk ridge, South Downs escarpment, wide well-marked paths, exposed hilltops, riverside estuary path and suburban road walking near finish.
Hilly: half on high ground, rising above the surrounding land.
Time: 8h–15h30
1 lunch spot: Columba's Kitchen (4h–8h in)
2 end-of-walk rewards: the Buckingham Arms, or the Crabtree
Warnings: Very exposed in wind.
Source: Trains2Green.
Similar walk: the Saturday Walkers Club.
Lewes Circular via Southease (Sussex)
15 minutes direct from Eastbourne.
Highly recommended: Three distinct downland ridges, wide open chalk paths, panoramic views, historic town streets and gentle valleys.
Warnings: Three steep climbs.
Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).
Hastings to Rye (Sussex)
30 minutes direct from Eastbourne.
Highly recommended: Clifftop coastal path, steep climbs, remote naturist beach, flat marshland, ancient hilltop towns and panoramic viewpoints.
Coastal: three fifths along the coast.
Time: 5h30–11h30
Warnings: Crumbly cliff edges.
Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).
Reverse direction: Railwalks.
Berwick Circular via Upper Dicker (Sussex)
15 minutes direct from Eastbourne.
Gently undulating farmland, open fields, bluebell woods, reservoir shorepath and quiet country lanes with fine downs and weald views.
Time: 5h30
Warnings: Can be slippery.
Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).
Glynde Circular via Furlongs (Sussex)
15 minutes direct from Eastbourne.
Downland villages of artists and history: a Ravilious-painted cottage, a stately house, a Roman villa site and parish churches, with pubs en route.
Firle Place: A Tudor-cored country house, seat of the Gage family, open to the public.
Walk details: Travelog Lewes (tips, photos, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).