Walks you can reach from London Road (Brighton) by train
MapA day hike is just a simple train journey away — plan your next day of green.
Lewes to Southease (Sussex)
15 minutes direct from London Road (Brighton).
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).
Glynde to Seaford (Sussex)
15 minutes direct from London Road (Brighton).
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.
Berwick to Eastbourne (Sussex)
30 minutes direct from London Road (Brighton).
Highly recommended: Farmland, reservoir, chalk downland, ridge grassland, chalk figure, smugglers villages and seaside resort.
Time: 5h30–11h30
2 lunch spots: the Eight Bells (2h30–5h30 in), or Jevington Tea Garden (3h–5h30 in)
1 end-of-walk reward: the Duke of Devonshire
Adapted from: Time Out Country Walks Volume 2.
Similar walk: the Saturday Walkers Club.
Eastbourne to Seaford (Sussex)
30 minutes direct from London Road (Brighton).
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.
Time: 6h30–13h
4 lunch spots: the Kiosk (1h30–2h30 in), Cadence Cafe Beachy Head (2h–4h in), the Beachy Head Pub (2h–4h in), or Birling Gap café (3h–5h30 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.
Lewes Circular via Southease (Sussex)
15 minutes direct from London Road (Brighton).
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).
Glynde Circular via Furlongs (Sussex)
15 minutes direct from London Road (Brighton).
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).
Berwick Circular via Upper Dicker (Sussex)
30 minutes direct from London Road (Brighton).
Gently undulating farmland, open fields, bluebell woods, reservoir shorepath and quiet country lanes with fine downs and weald views.
Time: 5h30
Warnings: Can be slippery.
Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).
Seaford Circular via Alfriston and Bishopstone (Sussex)
30 minutes direct from London Road (Brighton).
Steep coastal cliffs, chalk downland, open panoramic ridgelines, vineyard tracks, village greens, shingle beach and seafront promenade.
Warnings: Steep coastal climbs.
Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).
Lewes to Seaford (Sussex)
15 minutes direct from London Road (Brighton).
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).
Berwick to Seaford (Sussex)
30 minutes direct from London Road (Brighton).
South Downs chalk hills, open downland, river valley, coastal cliffs, shingle beach and picturesque village.
Warnings: Can be muddy.
Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).
Hampden Park to Eastbourne (Sussex)
45 minutes direct from London Road (Brighton).
Parks, woods, chalk downland ridges, open grassland, chalk heath, dense beech forest, coastal farmland, golf course and Victorian seaside town.
Warnings: Steep descents.
Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).
Hassocks to Lewes (Sussex)
15 minutes direct from London Road (Brighton).
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).