Sussex


<p>Yes, it&#8217;s chilly out but we&#8217;ve selected 11 stunning Sussex walks that are well worth pulling on boots and a bobble hat for. And fear not: whether it&#8217;s a rousing stomp up the South Downs, a Roman ramble, or a gentle riverside meander, we wouldn&#8217;t dream of sending you off without adding a pub pitstop to the itinerary! </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gumber-farm-slindon">Gumber Farm, Slindon</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/12/thom-holmes-KhfHhryQQjU-unsplash.jpg" alt="winter and Boxing Day walks in Sussex" class="wp-image-49765" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/12/thom-holmes-KhfHhryQQjU-unsplash.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/12/thom-holmes-KhfHhryQQjU-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/12/thom-holmes-KhfHhryQQjU-unsplash-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/12/thom-holmes-KhfHhryQQjU-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/12/thom-holmes-KhfHhryQQjU-unsplash-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>6km, moderate, <a aria-label="route here (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/slindon-estate/trails/stane-street-lepers-path-and-gumber-lynchets" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">route here</a>. </p>



<p>An ancient circular stroll partially following Stane Street, the ancient Roman road from London to Chichester. While some of the thoroughfare is still used, in the form of sections of the A29, other parts, like this section of chalky downland, are now truly off the beaten track. Start and finish at Bignor Hill car park – just follow the sign to Noviomagus, not Londinium! Once you&#8217;ve walked up an appetite, the historic <a href="https://www.whitehorseinn-sutton.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">White Horse Inn</a> in the village of Sutton is under 10 mins away by car. It&#8217;s recently been awarded an AA Rosette, and you&#8217;ll find a warm welcome and a hearty menu. You&#8217;re not too far from The PIG in the South Downs, either. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-halnaker-circular-walk">Halnaker circular walk</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/01/Untitled-design-7.jpg" alt="winter and Boxing Day walks in Sussex" class="wp-image-62160" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/01/Untitled-design-7.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/01/Untitled-design-7-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/01/Untitled-design-7-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/01/Untitled-design-7-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/01/Untitled-design-7-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>6.3km, easy, <a aria-label="route here (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.alltrails.com/trail/england/west-sussex/halnaker-circular" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">route here</a>. </p>



<p>Admire Muddy&#8217;s favourite windmill with this lovely circular walk that also takes in another section of Stane Street, this time framed by a breathtaking tunnel of trees. It&#8217;s a spectacle to be seen year-round. Somewhere along a bridlepath not far from Halnaker lies a curious old ruin (no, it&#8217;s not Muddy on her bike!) that you might just be able to glimpse from up on high. Time for a pitstop? Halnaker&#8217;s <a href="https://www.theangleseyarms.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Anglesey Arms</a> awaits, with roaring log fires, great menus and cosy decor. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-south-harting">South Harting</h2>



<p>9km, easy, <a aria-label="route here  (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.southdowns.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Walks-in-Rogate-and-Harting-LR-final.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">route here</a>.</p>



<p>This circular walk that takes in the Harting parish and joins the Serpent Trail –part of a 64-mile route that covers some of the South Down&#8217;s most spectacular heathland. In autumn it&#8217;s a riot of colour, but in winter you can focus on the bare beauty and gaze up at (or down from, if you have the puff) the imposing Harting Down. Afterwards, enjoy refreshments at the <a aria-label="White Hart (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.the-whitehart.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">White Hart</a>, a great foodie pub. Keep this one in mind for spring, too, as National Trust treasure <a aria-label="Uppark. (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/uppark-house-and-garden" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Uppark</a> is just down the road and reopens in March. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pagham-harbour-to-sidlesham">Pagham Harbour to Sidlesham</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2021/10/7.jpg" alt="winter and Boxing Day walks in Sussex" class="wp-image-53491" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2021/10/7.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2021/10/7-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2021/10/7-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2021/10/7-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2021/10/7-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>5km, easy, <a href="https://www.rspb.org.uk/days-out/reserves/pagham-harbour-local-nature-reserve" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">route here</a>. </p>



<p>An easy and accessible coastal loop that takes Pagham Harbour Nature Reserve, one of the best places to see coastal wildlife including birds resting on their autumn migration. It starts at the RSPB visitor centre, and part of the route follows the old light railway that ran between Selsey and Chichester until 1935. The 350-year-old <a href="https://www.crab-lobster.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Crab &amp; Lobster</a>, one of Muddy&#8217;s favourite watering holes is a good place to stop. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cissbury-chanctonbury-and-washington">Cissbury, Chanctonbury and Washington</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="900" height="600" src="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/11/takahiro-sakamoto-g5TXZMszLYw-unsplash.jpg" alt="winter and Boxing Day walks in Sussex" class="wp-image-49388" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/11/takahiro-sakamoto-g5TXZMszLYw-unsplash.jpg 900w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/11/takahiro-sakamoto-g5TXZMszLYw-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/11/takahiro-sakamoto-g5TXZMszLYw-unsplash-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/11/takahiro-sakamoto-g5TXZMszLYw-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/11/takahiro-sakamoto-g5TXZMszLYw-unsplash-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /></figure>



<p>Up to 11.5km, moderate, <a aria-label="route here (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.southdowns.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Walks-near-Steyning-Chanctonbury-and-Washington.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">route here</a>.</p>



<p>Of the two &#8216;rings&#8217; within just miles of one another, Cissbury is one of Europe&#8217;s largest Middle Iron-Age hill forts. Chanctonbury, the landmark circle of beech trees, is always going to be Muddy&#8217;s One Ring to Rule Them All, however. Be prepared for a steep old climb to get up there, meaning this might not be one for littler legs. Still with us? You&#8217;ll pass directly by the <a href="https://thefranklandarms.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frankland Arms</a> in Washington, a classic local, but Muddy&#8217;s extra tempted by <a href="https://fountainashurst.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Fountain</a> in Ashurst. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-woolbeding-and-easebourne-midhurst">Woolbeding and Easebourne, Midhurst</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/10/Cowdray-ghost-stories.jpg" alt="winter walk at Cowdray estate with ruins views, Sussex" class="wp-image-81039" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/10/Cowdray-ghost-stories.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/10/Cowdray-ghost-stories-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/10/Cowdray-ghost-stories-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/10/Cowdray-ghost-stories-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>16km, moderate. </p>



<p>This one&#8217;s steeped in history, from the medieval Wooldeding Bridge that you cross near the start to the iconic Elizabethan Cowdray ruins that you pass towards the end. It also happens to pass the award-winning (Muddy gave it one, in fact!) <a href="https://royaloakmidhurst.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cowdray Farm Shop</a>, where you’ll find all manner of very well-earned comestibles (it&#8217;s closed on 26 and 27 Dec, plus 1 Jan). It passes <a href="https://royaloakmidhurst.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Half Moon</a> in Midhurst but you’ll barely have hit your stride by then. Stick with it and reward yourself instead with a drink – a bite, too, why not? – at&nbsp;<a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/cowdray-estate-midhurst/">The Griffin Bar and Grill</a>&nbsp;in the clubhouse at Cowdray Golf Club. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wolstonbury-hill-nature-walk">Wolstonbury Hill nature walk</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="600" src="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/02/beacons.jpg" alt="winter and Boxing Day walks in Sussex" class="wp-image-47418" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/02/beacons.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/02/beacons-300x180.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/02/beacons-768x461.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/02/beacons-720x432.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>6km, moderate, <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/sussex/devils-dyke/wolstonbury-hill-explore-nature-walk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">route here</a>. </p>



<p>Admire two icons of the South Downs, the Jack and Jill windmills at Clayton, with this circular route that also provides panoramic views of the downs, the weald and the sea. Jill, fully restored by devoted volunteers, is a working mill and even produces stoneground flour on occasion, so if you pass on a breezy day you might see her in action. Jack does, ahem, nothing, although he was once the home of golf broadcaster Henry Longhurst. The walk starts and ends with a pub named after them: The <a href="https://www.thejackandjillinn.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jack and Jill Inn</a>. Think log fires and local scoffing and quaffing. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-river-cuckmere-circular-walk">River Cuckmere circular walk</h2>



<p>10km, easy, <a aria-label="route here (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.alltrails.com/trail/england/east-sussex/cuckmere-river-walk#:~:text=River%20Cuckmere%20Walk%20is%20a,a%20number%20of%20activity%20options." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">route here</a>. </p>



<p>The famous meanders of the River Cuckmere are instantly recognisable thanks in large part to local artist Eric Ravilious. This walk follows the river from the Seven Sisters Country Park to the chocolate box village of Alfriston – home to many a foodie hotspot, including the <a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/travel/uk/hotels-inns/alex-polizzi-star-inn-alfriston-east-sussex-review/">Star</a> – and back. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lookout-hill-birling-gap">Lookout Hill, Birling Gap</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Birling-Gap.jpg" alt="Boxing Day winter walk at Birling Gap in Sussex" class="wp-image-82638" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Birling-Gap.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Birling-Gap-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Birling-Gap-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2025/12/Birling-Gap-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>3,2km, easy, <a aria-label="route here (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/birling-gap-and-the-seven-sisters/trails/bounding-up-to-belle-tout" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">route here</a>. </p>



<p>Have a stroll up to Mad Jack&#8217;s Folly and take in the views from the far East of the South Downs Way, all the way out to sea. Perfect for clearing out the cobwebs and gaining perspective on any familial squabbling that might have featured in your festivities this year. Stop at <a href="https://www.beachyhead.org.uk/the-tiger-inn/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Tiger Inn</a> in nearby East Dean afterwards and you&#8217;ll find hearty food and real ales, plus oak beams and an open fire.  </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-firle-beacon">Firle Beacon</h2>



<p>6km, moderate, <a aria-label="route here (opens in a new tab)" href="http://www.gps-routes.co.uk/routes/home.nsf/RoutesLinksWalks/firle-beacon-walking-route" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">route here</a>. </p>



<p>Ditchling is the better known of the South Downs beacons but the views from unmistakable Firle Beacon, looking out towards the equally impressive Mount Caburn, are in Muddy&#8217;s humble opinion some of the best that the Downs have to offer. Haul yourself up and down with this route, then reward yourself with a glass of something warming at <a href="https://raminn.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Ram Inn</a> afterwards. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-long-man-of-wilmington">Long Man of Wilmington</h2>



<p>8.5km, moderate, <a href="http://www.gps-routes.co.uk/routes/home.nsf/RoutesLinksWalks/long-man-of-wilmington-walking-route" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="route here (opens in a new tab)">route here</a></p>



<p>The first record of a giant figure chalked into Wilmington Hill appeared in 1710. What does it mean? Why was it put here? Who knows, but you can check it out with this walking route, then hash out competing theories in <a href="https://longmaninn.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Long Man Inn</a>, a former Edwardian hostelry that&#8217;s snug, dog-friendly and serves a homemade pie of the day as well as a ploughman&#8217;s and gourmet burgers. </p>



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<p>In the mood for more? </p>



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<p><a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/free-things-to-do-in-sussex-over-the-christmas-holidays/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Free things to do in Sussex over the Christmas holidays</a> </p>



<p><a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/restaurants/restaurant-review-orla-lindfield/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Review: Lunch at Orla, Lindfield</a> </p>


Brilliant winter walks in Sussex

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