Walks you can reach from Southease by train
MapA day hike is just a simple train journey away — plan your next day of green.
Alternatively, view walks directly from Southease.
Lewes Circular via Southease (Sussex)
7 minutes direct from Southease.
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.
Glynde to Seaford (Sussex)
15 minutes direct from Southease.
Highly recommended: South Downs ridge, chalk downland, Firle Park, river valley, ancient villages, forest, coastal cliffs, shingle beach and esplanade.
Alfriston Clergy House: The first building saved forever for the nation by the National Trust (National Trust; 3h15 in; 1h to visit).
5 lunch spots: Alfriston (3h15 in) — the Star Inn, the Old Smugglers Inn, or the Six Bells; plus the Ram Inn, Firle (45 mins in), or the Plough & Harrow (3h45 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.
Eastbourne to Seaford (Sussex)
15 minutes direct from Southease.
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).
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.
Seaford Circular via Alfriston and Bishopstone (Sussex)
15 minutes direct from Southease.
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)
7 minutes direct from Southease.
South Downs ridges, open downland, sweeping valley, remote hidden valley, coastal shingle beach and recreation ground.
Warnings: Steep climbs.
Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).
Hassocks to Lewes (Sussex)
7 minutes direct from Southease.
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).
Plumpton to Lewes (Sussex)
7 minutes direct from Southease.
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.
Walk details: Travelog Lewes (tips, photos, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).
Cooksbridge to Lewes (Sussex)
7 minutes direct from Southease.
Downland ridge climb to Blackcap's hilltop tree circle, past an old racecourse, descending into the county town; can be muddy after rain.
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.
Warnings: Can be muddy after rain. Several stiles.
Walk details: Travelog Lewes (tips, photos, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).
Berwick to Seaford (Sussex)
15 minutes direct from Southease.
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).
Newhaven Circular via Seven Sisters Country Park (Sussex)
5 minutes direct from Southease.
Final stage of the Vanguard Way over the Seven Sisters chalk cliffs from Seven Sisters Country Park via Seaford to Newhaven.
Coastal: four fifths along the coast.
Seven Sisters: A run of chalk sea cliffs on the Sussex coast within the Seven Sisters Country Park.
Warnings: Starts at Cuckmere (Seven Sisters Country Park), which has no railway station.
Walk details: Walking Post (tips, photos and local insights).
Bishopstone Circular via Saxon Church of St Andrew (Sussex)
15 minutes direct from Southease.
Steep repeated climbs and descents, chalk downland, grassy ridges, vineyard tracks, valley paths, quiet village lanes and open hilltop views to sea and Downs.
Warnings: Can be overgrown.
Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).
Falmer Circular via Ditchling Beacon (Sussex)
15 minutes direct from Southease.
Stile-free climb on the South Downs Way to Ditchling Beacon with near-360-degree panoramas, through a downland village with a tearoom.
Ditchling Beacon: One of the highest points on the South Downs with near-360-degree views (National Trust).
Walk details: Travelog Lewes (tips, photos, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).