Best walks near Hastings by train
Sussex · South East England | Walks by foot
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.
Borough Green & Wrotham Station to Sevenoaks Station (Kent)
1h direct from Hastings.
16km. Moderate ascents. 4h30–7h30.
An essential walk! Greensand hills, apple orchards, woodland paths, streams, deer park, open parkland, and historic manor grounds. Mostly secluded. Can be muddy.
Highlights: Ightham Mote (14th century manor; a visit easily fits into a walk schedule), Knole House (enormous aristocratic estate, associated with the Bloomsbury Group; well worth a visit but consumes a day in itself), and Knole Park.
Lunch stops: the Plough (2h–3h in), or Ightham Mote café (2h–3h30 in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Chequers, the Restoration, or the Sennockian.
Leigh Station to Tunbridge Wells Station (Kent)
45m direct from Hastings.
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.
Pevensey and Westham Station to Battle Station (Sussex)
15m direct from Hastings.
Tough: 29km. Moderate ascents. 8h–13h30.
An essential walk! Beautiful landscapes and multiple historic sights.
Highlights: Pevensey Castle, Herstmonceux Castle, Battle Abbey and Battlefield, Battle Abbey and Battlefield, Pevensey Levels, and Battle itself.
Lunch stops: Nuthatch Kitchen and Terrace (2h30–4h in), or the Ash Tree Inn (4h30–8h in).
End-of-walk rewards: the White Hart Pub, or Battle Abbey and Battlefield.
Eastbourne Station to Seaford Station (Sussex)
30m direct from Hastings.
Tough: 23km, steep ascents. 6h30–11h.
An essential walk! Spectacular white cliffs in a well-protected national landscape. Immense white chalk cliffs, sea, marshes, meadows, and beachfront. Best Jun-Jul (when the chalk is gleaming). Very popular and busy.
Highlights: Eastbourne, Birling Gap, and Seven Sisters Country Park.
Lunch stops: the Kiosk (1h30–2h in), Cadence Cafe Beachy Head (2h–3h in), the Beachy Head Pub (2h–3h30 in), or Birling Gap café (3h–5h in; excellent).
End-of-walk rewards: the Cuckmere Inn, or the Old Plough.
Lewes Station to Southease Station (Sussex)
45m from Hastings, 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.
Tunbridge Wells Station Circular via Groombridge (Kent)
45m direct from Hastings.
Tough: 23km. Moderate ascents. 6h30–11h.
A rambler favourite! Escarpments.
Lunch stops in Frant (1h30–2h30 in): the Abergavenny Arms, or the George.
End-of-walk rewards: the Crown Inn, the High Rocks, or the Pantiles.
Charing Station to Chilham Station (Kent)
1h from Hastings, with one change.
Tough: 21km. Moderate ascents. 4h30–8h.
A rambler favourite! Penultimate section of the Pilgrim's Way to Canterbury.
Highlights: Canterbury and Chilham.
Lunch stops: the Flying Horse (2h–3h in), or Perry Court Tea Room (2h–3h in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Chilham Square, the White Horse, Chilham, or the Woolpack Inn, Chilham.
Berwick Station to Polegate Station (Sussex)
30m from Hastings, with one change.
Tough: steep ascents. 16km. 4h30.
Good views. Hill and moorland paths and with substantial climbs. Short stretch on a fast-traffic road with limited verge.
Documented by Railwalks — download GPX route
Bishopstone Station to Glynde Station (Sussex)
45m from Hastings, with one change.
Tough: 101km. Flat terrain. 2h30.
Coastal path with fields and with gentle gradients. Short stretch on a fast-traffic road with limited verge.
Documented by Railwalks — download GPX route
Berwick Station to Eastbourne Station (Sussex)
30m direct from Hastings.
20km. 6h30.
A rambler favourite! Farmland, reservoir, chalk downland, ridge grassland, chalk figure, smugglers villages, and seaside resort.
Documented by the Saturday Walkers Club.
Wadhurst Station Circular via Bewl Water Circular (Sussex)
30m direct from Hastings.
17km.
A rambler favourite! Hidden valleys, ancient woods, quaint old farms, reservoir shoreline, hilltop village, and gentle but rolling Wealden landscape. Can be muddy.
Documented by the Saturday Walkers Club.
Sevenoaks Station Circular via Knole House (Kent)
1h direct from Hastings.
16km.
A rambler favourite! Deer park, fields, woods, coppiced woodland, escarpment ridge, bluebell and wild garlic woods, and Weald views. Some mud inevitable.