Walks you can reach from Plumpton by train

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

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).

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

Eastbourne

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.

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

Birling Gap

Seven Sisters Country Park

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.

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).

Low hills, Ouse Valley, woodland, nature reserves, fields, hedgerows, historic villages and canal-era river crossings.

Time: 4h30

Warnings: Can be muddy.

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

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

Time: 2h30

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

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).

Woods, wildflower meadows, farmland, High Weald ridge, golf course and suburban road sections.

Time: 4h30

Warnings: Can be muddy.

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

Undulating High Weald farmland, woodland, golf course, reservoir dam wall, fields and a private school grounds.

Time: 4h

Warnings: Can be muddy.

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

Rolling Sussex countryside and South Downs views; farmland and woodland through Ditchling along an old Roman road.

Woodland: a quarter under tree cover.

Ditchling

Time: 4h–8h30

Walk details: Walking Post (tips, photos and local insights).

Flat coastal seafront promenades, shingle beach, sandy beach at low tide, sea wall paths, quiet coast roads and low cliffs.

Warnings: Shingle heavy going.

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

First stage of the Vanguard Way, from suburban East Croydon out through Selsdon Wood and the North Downs to Oxted.

Woodland: a third under tree cover.

Time: 5h30–11h

Walk details: Walking Post (tips, photos and local insights).