Best walks in Sussex
Walking in Sussex is one of the best ways to see the county. Sussex is home to thousands of miles of footpaths, bridleways and byways across some of the most beautiful national parks in the country, stunning countryside, and a coastline that gets the most hours of sunshine nationwide too.
In Sussex, you can walk on open down lands, tranquil valleys, charming villages, lowland heaths, ancient woodlands, and the beautiful South Coast. In this list of the best walks in Sussex, we’ve tried to include challenging hikes, short distance walks and some Sunday pub lunch strolls with your four-legged friend to give a nice balance. Fortunately for you, we have two parks in Sussex: Church Farm Holiday Park in West Sussex and Combe Haven Holiday Park in East Sussex, meaning all of the hikes on this list are within driving distance from your Haven caravan. So, pull on your walking boots and get out and explore what Sussex has to offer by foot.
- Seven Sisters Birling Gap walk
- Bignor Hill and The Denture from Amberley
- Arundel Park and the River Arun from Arundel
- Harting Down Circular Walk
- The Cuckoo Trail
- Arlington Reservoir loop
- South Downs Way - Alfriston to Eastbourne (including Seven Sisters)
- Hastings, Ecclesbourne Reservoir and East Hill Circular
- Seven Sisters and Cuckmere River walk
Seven Sisters Birling Gap walk
Distance: 1.5 miles
This is a nice family-friendly coastal walk from Birling Gap across the iconic white chalk cliffs - The Seven Sisters - which are perhaps the most iconic landmark in Sussex. This short walk takes you along the South Downs way until you reach the Belle Tout lighthouse. This is worth checking out; known as "Britain's most famous inhabited lighthouse" Belle Tout is instantly recognisable thanks to its striking location and use in film and television. You will then head back in a loop to the start, but not before snapping a picture of the mighty cliffs. As with all coastal walks, please be incredibly careful when close to the cliff edges, especially with your dog and children.
Bignor Hill and The Denture from Amberley
Distance: 8.5 miles
This West Sussex walk, starting and finishing at Amberley station, explores sections of two long distance trails from Amberley on the banks of the River Arun. The outward journey follows the South Downs Way, while the return section is a part of the Monarch's Way. The terrain includes a mixture of fields, woodland, and a few hilly bits. The paths can get a bit slippery after rain, so this is not one for beginners in inclement weather.
Arundel Park and the River Arun from Arundel
Distance: 7 miles
This walk starts in Arundel, which is just a 15-mile drive from our fantastic Haven Church Farm Holiday Park. After parking in Mill Road, by the river, this route takes in the town’s magnificent castle, unique cathedral, and lovely High Street before venturing into the surrounding countryside to enjoy Arundel Park. Eventually, you will drop down to the path alongside the River Arun for the return to the start. Just before the end of the walk, the route will take you past The Black Rabbit pub, which serves delicious gourmet food.
Harting Down Circular Walk
Distance: 3 miles
This three-mile loop National Trust trail near Compton, West Sussex, is a moderately challenging route, great for birding, hiking, and walking. You’ll get awe-inspiring views over South and East Harting for a good part of the walk. The walk starts in the National Trust car park - a 30-minute drive from Haven Church Farm Holiday Park - and commences on the South Downs Way.
Whilst it is up and down, the gradient never becomes too steep. This is one of the best dog walks in Sussex, but you may encounter some farm animals so keep your pooch under close control, as well as near the main road during the final section of the walk.
The Cuckoo Trail
Distance: 14 miles(split section by section)
This surfaced path through the Sussex countryside is a lovely, safe route for long-distance walkers and cyclists of all ages. The route follows a disused railway line which was in use until the 1960s, running from Heathfield to Hampden Park which is just a 30-minute drive from Haven Church Farm Holiday Park.
The picturesque route also passes through Horam, Hailsham and Polegate and is bordered with beautiful borders of wildflowers, and trees that have been cut to allow light to reach the ground. There are also benches, picnic tables and sculptures in wood and steel, as well as other artwork and plenty of birdlife to look out for. All in all, this is a walker’s paradise.
Arlington Reservoir loop
Distance: 3.5 miles
This circular walk from Berwick Station loops around the scenic Arlington Reservoir. On the trail you can spot birdlife and enjoy tranquil rural paths through pastures and fields. The terrain is fairly easy going and is very dog friendly but do note that you will be sharing some of the fields with sheep, so be sure to put your pooch on a lead at these points.
South Downs Way - Alfriston to Eastbourne (including Seven Sisters)
Distance: 12 miles(split section by section)
The most eastern portion of the South Downs Way provides beautiful views of the Seven Sisters, the chalk cliffs, and the coast. Starting from Alfriston, you’ll hike alongside the Cuckmere River, before reaching the coast, where the iconic chalk cliffs and sea will be visible. As the Seven Sisters is owned by the National Trust there are a few car parks, a visitor centre and plenty of facilities along the way. It might be the busiest section of the South Downs Way, but it’s also perhaps the most visually alluring.
Hastings, Ecclesbourne Reservoir and East Hill Circular
Distance: 3.5 miles
This fantastic walk starts and ends in Hastings, a stone’s throw from Combe Haven Holiday Park. The route takes in woods and some steep up and down hills, making it a good bit of cardio. However, it’s all worth it in the end as the views from East Hill are stunning. The entire route is dog friendly too, so bring your four-legged friend along for some exercise!
Seven Sisters and Cuckmere River walk
Distance: 7.5 miles
This is an extension of the above walk but for seasoned veterans who’ve seen the cliffs before and would rather enjoy a spot of riverside walking with plenty of pubs. Enjoy a long and peaceful walk along both banks of the languid River Cuckmere as it winds its way north from the car park and away from the coast. You’ll pass through the quaint villages of Litlington and Alfriston, each with their own excellent cafes, churches and of course, plenty of pubs.
Start planning your Great British break
Related Posts
Places to visit in Sussex
Things to do in Brighton
10 of the best beaches in Sussex
Important information
*New holiday homes from £29,995 – UPDATED 29 August 2024
*Holiday home price is based on a new 3-bedroom ABI Horizon holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 29 August 2024, price is available at selected parks Blue Dolphin, Craig Tara, Cleethorpes Beach, Caister, Combe Haven, Far Grange, Greenacres, Golden Sands, Haggerston, Orchards, and Quay West. Price can be withdrawn at any time.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Pre-owned holiday homes from £14,995 – UPDATED 31 JULY 2024 *Holiday home price is based on a pre-owned holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 31 July 2024, price is available at Blue Dolphin, Caister, Cleethorpes Beach, Combe Haven, Craig Tara, Far Grange, Greenacres, Golden Sands, Haggeston, Orchards, Quay West, Skegness and Wild Duck.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Let2offset - make no site fee payments until 2031
Let2offset is a contractual lettings product that offers eligible owners a guaranteed letting income at a preferential rate (calculated each year) in exchange for a stipulated number of letting breaks. It also allows eligible owners to pay their site fees and receive their letting income in 12 equal monthly instalments; the monthly site fee amount charged by Haven will be after deduction of the letting income.
‘Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031’ is available at 33 Haven parks excluding Burnham, Cardigan View, Far Grange, Garreg Wen, Lydstep Beach, Riviere Sands and Seaview. The letting income received will vary by make, model and location. The monthly site fee payment does not include running costs e.g. utilities, rates & insurance.
“Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031” is applicable to new and existing customer purchases of new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed or equivalent or superior grade holiday home purchases made through Haven where customers have also signed up to Haven’s Let2offset contract. It is not applicable to private sales and cannot be used in conjunction with our free Site Fee promotion. It is available across 40% of eligible Parks and applies when letting a new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home (or equivalent or superior grade for 15 weeks.
An example of how “Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031” operates under Let2offset is the purchase of an Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home at Primrose Valley with a monthly site fee of £585.00 (includes purchasing discount of £45) and monthly letting income of £803.67. The monthly difference equates to £218.67, which will be credited to the owner's account. Both letting income and site fees are subject to yearly pricing reviews and the monthly site fee costs and letting income shown in the example are based on 2024 figures.
Modelled assumptions on expected annual site fee and letting income charges over the 7-year lettable life of the Atlas Sahara 3 Bed indicate that under Let2offset it is anticipated that these customers will continue to receive a monthly credit during this period, however, this is not guaranteed. The modelled assumptions are based on the historical performance of Haven over the past 5 years of trading.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.