Walks from Lewes
MapBeautiful walks starting or ending at Lewes Station.
Alternatively, view walks you can reach directly from Lewes by train.
Lewes to Southease
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).
Lewes Circular via Southease
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).
Lewes Circular via Balsdean deserted village
Stile-free open downland with panoramic views, through the secluded Balsdean valley past a ruined hamlet and a nature reserve.
Time: 3h
Walk details: Travelog Lewes (tips, photos, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).
Lewes Circular via Saltdean Lido
Ouse valley flatlands and downland to the sea, past a Norman church, a vineyard and open-access tops, finishing at an Art Deco lido resort.
Warnings: Mud possible in the valley.
Walk details: Travelog Lewes (tips, photos, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).
Lewes Circular via Offham
Hilly downland over the 1264 Battle of Lewes ground and Offham Coombe access land, past a castle, a lido, chalk pits and a hilltop viewpoint.
Lewes Castle: A Norman motte-and-bailey castle on a ridge above the county town.
Blackcap: A National Trust downland summit topped by a clump of trees north of Lewes.
Time: 2h30
Walk details: Travelog Lewes (tips, photos, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).
Lewes Circular via Black Cap
Open chalk downland, South Downs ridgeline, woods, wetland, bridleways, old racecourse and town streets.
Warnings: Can be muddy.
Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).
Lewes Circular via West Firle
Steep hills, chalk ridge, South Downs Way, secluded valley, flat river levee and historic town.
Time: 6h
Warnings: Steep hills. Avoid Dec/Jan.
Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).
Lewes Circular via Kingston near Lewes
Downland village loop with Ouse valley views, a Tudor house, a reconstructed windmill, ruined priory and three pubs.
Warnings: Open downland section can be very muddy after rain.
Walk details: Travelog Lewes (tips, photos, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).
Lewes Circular via Iford
Largely level Ouse valley loop to a hamlet, past churches, a Tudor house, a ruined priory and drainage brooks.
Time: 2h
Walk details: Travelog Lewes (tips, photos, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).
Lewes to Southease
Mostly secluded.
Time: 3h–6h30
1 lunch spot: the Abergavenny Arms Pub (2h–4h 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).
Lewes to Seaford
South Downs ridges, open downland, sweeping valley, remote hidden valley, coastal shingle beach and recreation ground.
Time: 6h
Warnings: Steep climbs.
Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).
Hassocks to Lewes
South Downs chalk grassland ridge, panoramic views to sea and inland, dew ponds, Iron Age fort, wooded climbs, riverside embankment and historic town.
Time: 5h30
Warnings: Can be slippery.
Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).