Walks you can reach from Haywards Heath by train

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; 1h to visit)

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.

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 (15 mins in)

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).

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.

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.

Highly recommended: Farmland, reservoir, chalk downland, ridge grassland, chalk figure, smugglers villages and seaside resort.

Eastbourne (5h30 in)

2 lunch spots: the Eight Bells (2h45 in), or Jevington Tea Garden (2h45 in)

1 end-of-walk reward: the Duke of Devonshire

Adapted from: Time Out Country Walks Volume 2.

Similar walk: the Saturday Walkers Club.

Highly recommended: Spectacular white cliffs in a well-protected national landscape. Immense white chalk cliffs, sea, marshes, meadows and beachfront.

Hilly: a quarter on high ground, rising above the surrounding land.

Coastal: four fifths along the coast.

Eastbourne (2h30 in)

Birling Gap (National Trust; 3h15 in)

Cuckmere Valley: Flower-rich chalk grassland with stunning views of the Cuckmere River (National Trust; 4h45 in).

Seven Sisters Country Park

4 lunch spots: the Kiosk (1h15 in), Cadence Cafe Beachy Head (2h in), the Beachy Head Pub (2h in), or Birling Gap café (3h15 in; excellent)

1 end-of-walk reward: the Cuckmere Inn

Best months: Jun-Jul (when the chalk is gleaming).

Warnings: Very popular and busy.

Source: Trains2Green.

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; 3h to visit)

Bench With View of the Lake, High Weald National Landscape (National Trust; 1h15 in; 3h to visit)

Nymans: "An extensive yet intimate garden set around a romantic house and ruins" (National Trust; 1h45 in; 3h to visit).

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)

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.

Adapted from: Time Out Country Walks Volume 1.

Similar walk: the Saturday Walkers Club.

Recommended

Woodland: a fifth under tree cover.

Highdown Gardens (30 mins in)

Cissbury Ring Hill Fort: The most historic hill on the South Downs (National Trust; 3h45 in).

2 lunch spots: the Black Horse (3h in), or the Gun Inn (3h in)

Adapted from: The Rough Guide to Walks in London & the South East (3rd edition).

Reverse direction: Railwalks.

Recommended: Quaint village, woods and hilly.

Hilly: a quarter on high ground, rising above the surrounding land.

Ditchling (45 mins in)

South Downs National Park: Ditchling Area (National Trust; 1h30 in)

Ditchling Beacon: One of the highest points on the South Downs with near-360-degree views (National Trust; 1h45 in).

4 lunch spots: Ditchling (45 mins in) — the White Horse, the Nutmeg Tree, or Ditchling Village; plus the Jack & Jill (3h in)

1 end-of-walk reward: the Hassocks

Warnings: Can be muddy.

Source: Trains2Green.

All-tarmac seafront town walk past grand Victorian hotels, a pier, a Martello tower, the Winter Gardens, a gallery and elegant districts; a few moderate climbs.

Eastbourne

Walk details: Travelog Lewes (tips, photos, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).

Gentle wooded hills, muddy farm tracks, landscaped gardens, reservoir shoreline, open fields and woodland paths.

Warnings: Can be very muddy.

Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).

South Downs chalk grassland ridge, panoramic views to sea and inland, dew ponds, Iron Age fort, wooded climbs, riverside embankment and historic town.

Warnings: Can be slippery.

Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).

Downland climb to the wooded summit of Blackcap and Mount Harry, then down past a castle, a historic lido and the High Street; one 120m climb.

Blackcap: A National Trust downland summit topped by a clump of trees north of Lewes (National Trust).

Lewes Castle: A Norman motte-and-bailey castle on a ridge above the county town.

Lewes

Walk details: Travelog Lewes (tips, photos, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).