Walks from Glynde

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.

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).

Coastal path with fields and with gentle gradients.

Time: 3h–5h30

Warnings: Short stretch on a fast-traffic road with limited verge.

Walk details: Railwalks.

South Downs Way chalk ridge and extensive views inland and to Newhaven and the Channel.

Source: A shorter variant of Lewes via West Firle Circular – the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).

Open treeless downland ridges, steep ascents, scenic Cuckmere Valley, coastal promenade, beach and pier.

Warnings: Steep ascents.

Source: An alternative variant of Southease to Eastbourne – the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).