A 3 mile linear walk from Robertsbridge rail station to Echtingham rail station in East Sussex forming the 14th stretch of the Sussex Hospices Trail. This fairly easy stroll is mainly through fields, with lovely views of the distinctive oak trees of the wooded valley of the River Rother. The return leg can be completed with a single 5 minute train journey.
Difficulty
This is the shortest and also one of the most rural of all the walks that make up the Sussex Hospices Trail. Underfoot you are walking on clay which can be muddy. There are a few stiles and there may be livestock in some of the fields. Allow 2 hours.
A 6.5 mile linear walk from Battle rail station to Robertsbridge rail station forming the 13th stretch of the Sussex Hospices Trail. This route takes you through the streets of the historically important Battle before heading north to join tranquil paths through beautiful stretches of woodland. Having passed through the village of Mountfield, with its beautiful church, the route continues north through the rolling parkland of the Mountfield Court Estate, with stunning views, to reach the small village of Robertsbridge. The return leg can be completed with a single 8 minute train journey.
Difficulty
This stretch has long climbs and descents throughout, but there are no particularly steep sections. The paths, particularly through the woodlands and meadows, can be very muddy at times so good boots are a must (or wellingtons with grips in the wet winter months). There are a couple of sections that are prone to becoming overgrown in the late summer, but these are very short. You will need to negotiate several gates, footbridges and 9 stiles (all of which have dog gates or gaps in the fencing for Labrador-size dogs to climbs through, but two of the stiles are very tall so lifting larger dogs over will be a real challenge!). Whilst most of the route is livestock-free, you will cross two fields that are likely to be holding sheep and cattle. The cattle were very relaxed when we walked and the field is very large (allowing you to give them a wide berth), but take care with dogs all the same. You will need to cross a quarry railway at an unsignalled crossing so look and listen for trains before you cross. A small stretch of the route also crosses the former Battle Golf Course (closed in 2016) so, if this has re-opened, take care at this point. Allow 3.5 hours.
A 4 mile linear walk from Crowhurst rail station to Battle rail station in East Sussex, forming the 12th stretch of the Sussex Hospices Trail. The route passes through Fore Wood, a little known woodland which is an RSBP Nature Reserve, takes you past an oast house and has plenty of wildlife to enjoy along the way.
Difficulty
This quiet section rises and falls gently as your route takes you on the lower edges of the High Weald. Some sections of the woodland paths can be very muddy at times and could also be a little overgrown. You will need to negotiate some stiles and several farm gates. One field has grazing livestock so take particular care with dogs. There are no facilities or refreshments until you reach Battle but there are several places to stop for a picnic on the way. The return leg can be completed with a single 5 minute train journey. Allow 2 hours.
A 5 mile linear walk from West St Leonards rail station to Crowhurst rail station in East Sussex, forming the 11th stretch of the Sussex Hospices Trail. The route takes you around the open land at the edge of Bexhill into the tranquil Sussex countryside. On route you will walk through mixed woodland, stroll through the Combe Valley Nature Reserve and follow a section of the 1066 Country Walk. Combe Valley is a site of of biological importance due to its diversity of habitat supporting many species of flora and fauna. Alluvial meadows and reed beds cover a large section of this area. The return leg can be completed with a single 6 minute train journey.
Difficulty
The route includes several gentle gradients. Along the way you will need to negotiate one kissing gate, farm gates, footbridges and one stile. There are some sections of walking through quiet residential areas and one or two sections through woodland which may be muddy. You will be sharing some of the fields with grazing livestock so take particular care with dogs. Allow 3 hours.
An 8 mile linear walk from Normans Bay rail station to West St Leonards rail station in East Sussex, forming the 10th stretch of the Sussex Hospices Trail. You will walk through quiet countryside, around a golf course and along the bustling promenade of Bexhill taking in some fantastic views of the coast.
Difficulty
The route is largely flat aside from a short climb up ‘Galley Hill’ and although the majority of it is on tarmac the first section is through fields which can get muddy. These fields may be holding livestock so take particular care with dogs. There are also some very tight v-shaped stiles to squeeze over so those with large dogs may struggle. Several opportunities for facilities and refreshments exist on the route. Allow 4 hours.
An 8 mile linear walk from Eastbourne rail station to Normans Bay rail station in East Sussex, forming the 9th stretch of the Sussex Hospices Trail. The route takes in Eastbourne’s lively shopping precinct, a Victorian Pier, a large marine harbour and four Martello Towers before the final stretch along the road or quiet shingle beaches of Pevensey and Normans Bay. The return leg can be completed with a single 14 minute train journey (Mon-Sat).
Difficulty
The walking route is entirely flat and follows paved paths with just a couple of sections on loose stone. There are no stiles or gates but you will need to negotiate a set of lock gates. Towards the end, there is an option to walk along the shingle beach. There are plenty of options for facilities and refreshments along the route. Allow 4 hours.
A 10 mile linear walk from Alfriston village to Eastbourne rail station in East Sussex, forming the 8th stretch of the Sussex Hospices Trail. For almost every step of the way, this stretch accompanies the South Downs Way. You will see lovely Sussex villages, the best of the South Downs National Park and the bustling seaside town of Eastbourne.
Difficulty
The route is clear and well signposted and there will usually be other walkers, cyclists or runners on your route. Please note that even on the warmest day it can be windy on the ridge above Eastbourne. The route is quite steep in parts although the way is clear and the paths are well-walked. The chalk paths and tracks can become very muddy and slippery after wet weather. You will need to negotiate a number of gates and road crossings but there are no stiles on route. You will be sharing some of the paths with livestock so take particular care with dogs. The return leg can be completed with a bus journey of about 35 minutes. Allow 5 hours.
A 7 mile linear route which forms the seventh part of the Sussex Hospices Trail. The walk starts at Southease rail station, just the other side of the River Ouse from the lovely village of Southease, and follows the South Downs Way along the scarp slope of the downs all the way to Alfriston.
Difficulty
The route is steep at the start and then it is easier walking on the Downs before descending into Alfriston. The route follows the South Downs Way and so is well-walked and fairly easy to navigate. There are several gates to negotiate and two cattle grids. There may be livestock on the Downs, so take particular care with dogs. Allow 3.5 hours.
A 10.5 mile linear walk from Brighton rail station to Southease rail station in East Sussex, forming the sixth stretch of the Sussex Hospices Trail. This is certainly one of the most remarkable walks in our Sussex Hospices Trail Collection because it takes you from the heart of bustling Brighton along the seafront promenade, then an undercliff walk, across the folds of South Downs to finish in the secluded village of Southease. From Southease you can return to Brighton by train in just 30 minutes at peak times.
Difficulty
Underfoot you will be walking on concrete from Brighton to Saltdean then grassy footpaths to Southease, then a final stretch along quiet lanes. Some of the grass footpaths can get muddy at times. There is some uphill walking onto the Downs. You will need to negotiate several gates but there are no stiles on route. There may be livestock in some fields and one stretch of the route passes through a working farm so take care with dogs. Allow 5.5 hours.
A 7 mile linear walk from Shoreham-by-Sea rail station to Brighton rail station, forming the fifth stretch of the Sussex Hospices Trail. The route follows the south coast for the most part and, whilst it might sound like a cliche, this really is a walk of two halves which showcases the impact first of industry and then of recreation on our coast. The first part follows the residential streets of Shoreham-by-Sea, passing a pretty 11th century church along the way, to reach the busy Shoreham Port, an impressive industrial site. Later, the industrial buildings give way to the seafront promenades of Hove and Brighton, bustling with visitors and peppered with bright beach huts and seaside attractions, including world’s tallest moving observation tower, the i360. The return journey can be completed with a single 15 minute train journey.
Difficulty
The walking route from Shoreham-by-Sea to Brighton is almost entirely flat, with just one slope up to Brighton rail station at the end. The walk follows mainly tarmac pavements and walkways, with just a couple of short sections on grass, and there are no gates or stiles. You will need to negotiate three flights of steps and some footbridges over the locks at Shoreham Port (these have ramps and are fairly generous in width but do take particular care with children and dogs). Public toilets and refreshments are available at several points along the seafront. Allow 3.5 hours.
A 9 mile linear seafront walk from Goring-by-Sea railway station to Shoreham-by-Sea railway station in West Sussex, forming the fourth stretch of the Sussex Hospices Trail. The walk is almost entirely along the coast with varied seafront pathways and promenades and fantastic views of the sea throughout.
Difficulty
The route goes down, heading south, to the seafront from Goring-by-Sea and then follows the coastline, in an easterly direction, all the way along through Worthing to Shoreham-by-Sea with magnificent views of the English Channel. It is on entirely flat surfaces which vary from suburban pavement, a pretty woodland path, seafront path, a promenade, a short stretch along a pavement next to a busy road before returning to paved seafront footpaths. There is an option for some pebble beach walking. There are a few road crossings that need care, but no stiles to negotiate, just one short flight of steps. Toilets and refreshment stops are plentiful along the route. The return leg can be completed by one train journey or a bus journey. Allow 5 hours.
An 11 mile linear walk from Arundel rail station to Goring-by-Sea rail station in West Sussex, forming the third stretch of the Sussex Hospices Trail. The route takes in a short stretch of the River Arun before joining long peaceful bridleways through the woodlands of the Angmering Estate, visiting Chestnut Tree House along the way. From here it is on through more woodland, through the pretty village of Patching and then up to an old Iron Age hill fort with breathtaking views. Finally the route leads you past St Barnabas House and on through Goring-by-Sea to reach the rail station. You will enjoy elegant beech woodlands, a pretty village with charming flint cottages and panoramic views across the sea. The return leg can be completed with two train journeys or one bus journey, each taking about an hour.
Difficulty
The walking route from Arundel to Goring-by-Sea has gentle slopes throughout, plus just a couple of steeper gradients. The paths are firm and wide for the most part, but the unmade woodland bridleways can get very muddy at times and a couple of the narrow paths can get overgrown with nettles. There are a few road crossings that need care and the route also includes an unsignalled rail crossing, so take particular care here to listen and look for trains before you cross. You will need to negotiate some steps, kissing gates and 5 stiles. All but one of the stiles will be easy for dogs to pass through and the one in question can be avoided quite easily. A couple of the fields you cross are likely to be holding cattle so take particular care with dogs. Toilets are available at Arundel rail station at the start of the walk. If you are looking for refreshments there is a pub, The Worlds End, at about the 7 mile mark and there are several shops near Goring-by-Sea station at the end of the walk. Allow 5.5 hours.
