Sussex

<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-rye-harbour-nature-reserve-east-sussex"><a href="https://rye.sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/">1. Rye Harbour Nature Reserve</a>, East Sussex </h3>



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Distance and difficulty: Various lengths. Flat and coastal, incorporating saltmarsh, lagoons and reed beds.



Good for: Bird lovers, beachcombers, kid-friendly activities



Why Muddy loves it: The reserve is managed by the Sussex Wildlife Trust and there&#8217;s a selection of circular walks which are pretty much guaranteed to be brimming with birdlife. Bring those binoculars! For a bit of extra insight keep an eye out for mini safaris and beachcombing events run by the Trust and family-friendly guided birding tours run by RSPB volunteers on certain dates. View Sussex Wildlife Trust&#8217;s walks <a href="https://sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/visit/rye-harbour" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.



Nearby pub: 



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Afterwards, drop into the cobbled streets of historic Rye and head for a well earned drink or meal at <a href="http://theshipinnrye.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Ship Inn</a>, which was established way back in 1592 and has a past as a smugglers&#8217; hangout. Locally caught fish is one of the menu highlights as well as oysters. The pub is linked to Hush Heath vineyard in Kent you’ll find its wines on the drinks menu. Rooms are available for staying and reasonably priced, dog friendly and comfy.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-ashdown-forest-high-weald-mid-susse-x">2. <a href="https://ashdownforest.org/">Ashdown Forest</a>, High Weald, Mid Sussex</h3>



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Good for: Children and the nostalgic. Moderate fitness.



Distance and difficulty: Various options, some child friendly. Pooh Walks from Gills Lap are 1km &#8211; 3.25km. Forest and heathland. Mainly flat.



Why Muddy loves it: In AA Milne&#8217;s home village of Hartfield, you can drop in at <a href="https://www.poohcorner.co.uk/things-to-do/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Pooh Corner</a> gift shop and tea rooms and pick up a route map to nearby Ashdown Forest and a ‘passport’ to tick of various places mentioned in the stories, like Roo’s Sandy Pit and the Pooh Sticks Bridge &#8211; with instructions on how to play the game (just in case you&#8217;d forgotten). Or, take the Ashdown Forest’s own recommended <a href="https://www.ashdownforest.org/enjoy/walking/docs/Walk1_PoohWalksFromGillsLap.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Pooh Walks from Gills Lap </a>on which you skirt Hartfield part way.



Nearby pub:



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Enjoy top notch organically-reared meat from the Buckhurst Estate at <a href="http://dorset-arms.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Dorset Arms</a> just up the road in Withyham. The pub and estate are owned by the current Lord de la Warr whose father used to play with the real life Christopher Robin and his toy bear in what became known as Hundred Acre Wood. There’s also a cottage to rent at the pub if you fancy staying over.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-blue-route-via-seeley-copse-woodland-goodwood-west-sussex">3. <a href="https://goodwood.com/estate/walking-guide/">Blue route via Seeley Copse Woodland</a>, Goodwood, West Sussex</h3>



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Good for: Townies, families.



Distance and difficulty: An easy circuit that&#8217;s just 2.65km. It that starts at the Goodwood Hotel and takes you around the estate&#8217;s grounds of Goodwood House &#8211; this part of the walk is buggy and wheelchair accessible, you can choose to stop here, or carry on and loop around via Seeley Copse woodland. 



Why Muddy loves it: It covers woodland, a country estate and parkland as well as incredible views. There&#8217;s the option to extend the walk and go via the golf course and to see the Cedar Trees. If you do get peckish, there&#8217;s the farm shop as well as see the &#8216;Trundle&#8217; a beautiful large sharp green swell. 



Nearby pub: The Royal Oak Inn, East Lavant



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Just up the road in East Lavant village, the <a href="https://royaloakeastlavant.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Royal Oak</a> serves up excellent food in a cosy low ceilinged bar, where fires are lit in cooler months and there’s a terrace for when the sun is out. The menu foregrounds local produce and there are special tasting menus on certain dates. Smart bedrooms are also available, some in a stable block overlooking fields.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-south-downs-way-firle-beacon-east-sussex">4. <a href="https://southdownsway.org/#google_vignette">South Downs Way</a>, Firle Beacon, East Sussex</h3>



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Distance and difficulty: About seven miles for a circular walk. Moderate fitness required to make the circuit, with a steep hill at the start or end. Or, simply stroll a while along the top.



Good for:&nbsp;Impressive views. Ticking off part of the South Downs Way.



Why Muddy loves it: The South Downs Way, running from Winchester to Eastbourne, bisects a large swathe of Sussex. With proper prep you can tackle the lot over a week or two, but it’s more fun doing a relaxed chunk in an afternoon. To make a <a href="https://friendsofthesouthdowns.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/OA-Map-7-Firle-2014.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">circuit at Firle</a>, park in the village, or at the car park at the top of the hill nearest Firle Beacon (you’ll walk up the hill at  the beginning or end depending on which you choose). Once you’re out on the ridge of the South Downs, on a clear day you can see for miles, with Charleston below and sometimes paragliders in the distance. After a while you head down a chalky path and circuit back to the village via the public right of way across the grounds of Firle Place. 



Nearby pub:



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<a href="https://raminn.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Ram Inn</a> in Firle is a characterful 500-year-old low-ceilinged affair with good food (lamb, beef and game are very local), cosy fires and a community feel (musicians were jamming in a side room on our visit). Five bedrooms are also available. 



READ MORE: <a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/autumn-colour/">Best local spots where you can admire the autumn colours</a>



READ MORE: <a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/walks-near-me/autumn-walks-in-sussex/">Awesome autumn walks in Sussex</a>



READ MORE: <a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/15-stunning-circular-walks-sussex/">Stunning circular Sussex walks</a>

Walk on the wild side! 4 local autumn walks to try now

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