Walks near Eastbourne by train

A 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.

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.

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.

GPX

Steep

Plan a walk

Wadhurst Circular via Bewl Water (Sussex)

1 hour from Eastbourne, with one change.

Highly recommended: Quiet fields and country lanes running through rolling wooded hills. Mostly secluded.

Woodland: a quarter under tree cover.

Wadhurst: Quaint little village (1h45 in).

Bewl Water: An aqua park, and the largest body of water in South East England.

Time: 6h30 (5h walking, 1h30 lunch)

2 lunch spots: the Old Vine (1h30 in; excellent), or La Petite France (3h45 in)

Warnings: Can be muddy.

Adapted from: Time Out Country Walks Volume 2.

Similar walk: the Saturday Walkers Club.

GPX

Moderate

Plan a walk

Tunbridge Wells Circular via Groombridge (Kent)

1 hour from Eastbourne, with one change.

Highly recommended: Escarpments.

Woodland: a third under tree cover.

Time: 8h (6h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)

2 lunch spots: Frant (1h30 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.

GPX

Moderate

Plan a walk

Pevensey to Battle (Sussex)

9 minutes direct from Eastbourne.

Highly recommended: Beautiful landscapes and multiple historic sights.

Pevensey Castle (15m in)

Herstmonceux Castle (2h30 in)

Battle Abbey and Battlefield (7h30 in)

Pevensey Levels

Battle (7h15 in)

Time: 10h (8h walking, 1h30 lunch, 30m break)

2 lunch spots: Nuthatch Kitchen and Terrace (2h30 in), or the Ash Tree Inn (4h45 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).

GPX

Moderate

Plan a walk

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.

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).

GPX

Steep

Plan a walk

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.

Alfriston Clergy House (National Trust; 3h15 in)

Time: 8h (6h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)

5 lunch spots: Alfriston (3h15 in) — the Star Inn, the Old Smugglers Inn, or the Six Bells; plus the Ram Inn, Firle (45m in), or the Plough & Harrow (3h45 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.

GPX

Steep

Plan a walk

Winchelsea to Hastings (Sussex)

45 minutes from Eastbourne, with one change.

Highly recommended

Coastal: three quarters along the coast.

Hastings (3h45 in)

Time: 5h30 (4h walking, 1h30 lunch)

2 lunch spots: the New Beach Club (1h30 in), or the Cove (2h 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.

GPX

Steep

Plan a walk

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: 10h (8h walking, 1h30 lunch, 30m break)

1 lunch spot: Columba's Kitchen (4h 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.

GPX

Steep

Plan a walk

Balcombe Circular via Nymans (Sussex)

1 hour from Eastbourne, with one change.

Recommended: Many worthy historic sights along this route — Nymans itself, the village of Slaugham, and two beautiful medieval churches. The first half of the walk is through idyllic rolling woodland. The second half is marred by mostly following (very quiet) roads and lanes rather than footpaths. Mostly secluded.

Woodland: half under tree cover.

Footbridge and Lake Overflow at Nymans Woodland (National Trust; 1h15 in)

Bench With View of the Lake, High Weald National Landscape (National Trust; 1h15 in)

Nymans: "An extensive yet intimate garden set around a romantic house and ruins" (1h45 in).

St Mary's Church (2h15 in)

Slaugham: Very small, but picturesque (2h15 in).

The Ruins of Slaugham Place: The remains of a fine Tudor mansion (2h30 in).

St Mark's Church, Staplefield (3h in)

Time: 5h30 (4h walking, 1h30 lunch)

3 lunch spots: Handcross (1h45 in) — Nymans café, JO.CO cafe, or the Red Lion

1 end-of-walk reward: the Victory

Warnings: Can be muddy.