Walks you can reach from Polegate by train
MapA day hike is just a simple train journey away — plan your next day of green.
Alternatively, view walks directly from Polegate.
Berwick to Eastbourne (Sussex)
5 minutes direct from Polegate.
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.
Glynde to Seaford (Sussex)
15 minutes direct from Polegate.
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.
Lewes to Southease (Sussex)
15 minutes direct from Polegate.
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).
Eastbourne to Seaford (Sussex)
8 minutes direct from Polegate.
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 Polegate.
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).
Berwick Circular via Upper Dicker (Sussex)
5 minutes direct from Polegate.
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).
Eastbourne Circular via Eastbourne Pier (Sussex)
8 minutes direct from Polegate.
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.
Time: 2h30
Walk details: Travelog Lewes (tips, photos, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).
Glynde Circular via Furlongs (Sussex)
15 minutes direct from Polegate.
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).
Haywards Heath Circular via Lindfield (Sussex)
30 minutes direct from Polegate.
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).
Hampden Park to Eastbourne (Sussex)
4 minutes direct from Polegate.
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).
Berwick to Seaford (Sussex)
5 minutes direct from Polegate.
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).
Eastbourne to Hastings (Sussex)
8 minutes direct from Polegate.
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).