6 Of The Best Woodland Walks In East Sussex
The woodland walks in East Sussex are hard to beat. Whether you’re going for a scenic stroll through the bluebells at Brede High Woods or an atmospheric amble through Ashdown Forest there’s a lot to explore here.
So rather than heading straight home afterwards, extend your rural experience by staying for a night or two at one of our campsites nearby – and then maybe another walk?
What are you waiting for? It’s time to put on your walking boots and visit 1066 country.
Here’s our list of the 6 best East Sussex walks to get you started...
Amble through Ashdown Forest
Ashdown Forest, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is spread across around 6,500 acres of enchanted ancient woodland. It’s the largest free public access space in the South East and is home to badgers, weasels, stoats and rabbits… plus a (fictional) bear.
Fans of A.A Milne’s well-loved ‘Winnie The Pooh’ books may be interested to know that 100 Aker Wood was based on (and inspired by) this forest. When you get here, make sure to grab a guide to ‘Pooh walks’, so you can visit some of the popular spots that feature in the book. Kids may want to collect a few sticks and head to Pooh Bridge, where there just might be a honey-loving bear waiting to play his favourite game…
There are plenty of other walking trails to complete at Ashdown Forest, such as the ‘Walk Beyond The Pale’. This route is just 2.5 miles long and starts at Goat car park. Expect to see earthwork remains of the medieval Pale (a ditch designed to stop deer escaping) and great views of High Weald countryside, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Take a tour of the trees in Abbot’s Wood
If you like a short walk, then Abbot’s wood is just the ticket. Its name derives from the time of Henry I, when the wood was gifted to Battle Abbey and overseen by the abbot (the head of an abbey of monks).
There are two trails to choose from at this historic site – Abbot's Amble or Oak Walk. Follow the former and it’ll lead you to the lake, built in medieval times. The latter takes you on a tour of the mighty oak trees that line the forest.
The place is bursting with wildlife, including nearly 30 species of butterfly. Lots of other insects, birds, dragonflies and moths can be seen too, so remember to take your camera if you’re keen on photography.
Try to visit (or return) in springtime, when the woods come alive with birdsong and thousands of bluebells start to appear across the ancient forest floor.
Walk from Rye Harbour to Camber Sands
This popular six-mile route starts at Rye Harbour – one of South East England's most important medieval ports – and ends at Camber Sands beach.
Early on in the walk, you’ll get the chance to explore Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, one of the most significant conservation sites in Britain. Its many coastal habitats include saltmarsh, shingle, reedbeds and saline lagoons. There’s an abundance of wildlife to be seen and heard in this area, and it’s also a popular spot for a bit of birdwatching (keep your eyes peeled for the lapwings and redshanks that often fly overhead).
Follow the footpath until you arrive at Camber Sands beach, where the sound of the sea and thefresh air make for a relaxing end to your journey. Travelling with a pooch? Read about other dog-friendly beaches in East Sussex where your four-legged friend can have a splash.
If you fancy a shorter walk in the area, then try the 4.5 miles between the historic town of Rye and Camber Castle. Built by Henry VIII, the castle was originally used as an artillery fort to guard the port. It’s now open to the public for guided tours between July and September.
Take a hike through Hastings Country Park
Hastings Country Park is one of the most important nature reserves in England. It’s renowned as an area of archaeological importance and the site is one of just a few in the world to have produced early mammal fossils.
The seven-mile circular walk here includes a few steep climbs as you make your way up to the top of the cliffs. It’s worth the effort though, as the views across the surrounding area are sublime. Visit on a clear day and you can see as far as Folkestone – or even over to France. Keep an eye out for the occasional bottlenose dolphin or harbour porpoise swimming about in the clear water too.
Saunter through bluebells at Brede High Woods
Owned and managed by The Woodland Trust, Brede High Woods is one of the best bluebell woods in Sussex. Each year, visitors marvel at the lush carpet of delicate flowers that spreads across the ancient landscape. The spectacle only lasts for a couple of weeks but it’s certainly worth making the trip for.
A variety of rare wildlife also thrives in this largely uninterrupted expanse. From fallow deer to glowworms and from great crested newts to dormice, this woodland is so undisturbed that a beetle thought to be extinct elsewhere in the UK still lives here.
The car park fills up quickly at peak times, so get here early to find a space.
Admire the ancient trees at Petworth
For the last woodland walk on this list, you’ll need to go a little further afield to Petworth House and Gardens in West Sussex. Owned by the National Trust, this estate is home to some of the oldest and largest trees in the UK. This four-mile circular walk is lined with veteran trees, including an ancient oak that is an impressive 940 years old, and guards the approach to the Lower Pond.
There are 700 acres of parkland to explore here, and you may spot a herd of fallow deer that have lived on the grounds for over 500 years.
Interested in some more walks in East Sussex?
Want to explore more of this area? Take a look at 6 walks in East Sussex for some inspiration. If you need to be by the sea, then browse the 8 best beaches in East Sussex.