Top walks in and around West Sussex
If you’re in need of a leg-stretch this spring, you’ll find no shortage of trails in Sussex. Here are our top walks from all around the county from Sheffield Park to Harting Down, Petworth's Pleasure Garden to Standen.
Warmer spring days mean you can shed a few layers, and it's also the time of year when you can experience the world waking up around you – from tiny green shoots pushing up through the soil, to birds nesting in hedgerows and trees bursting into leaf.
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Best places for winter walks in Sussex





Nymans
As spring arrives Nymans’ atmospheric wall garden is brim full of lavish displays of flowers, from drifts of bright yellow daffodils, to masses of frothy blossom, magnolias and camellias. All around the garden enjoy splashes of colour with rhododendrons and azaleas in full flower from April. Discover bluebells in the woodland and wild garden and stroll along pathways between the rediscovered Edwardian spring borders.
Sheffield Park and Garden
Colour greets your every turn at Sheffield Park, with shimmering lakes and woodlands glowing with bluebells. Find bobbing daffodils and camelias in hidden, scented glades. Vibrant rhododendron and azalea blooms are the sparkling jewel in our crown. Stroll through deeply fragranced corridors, with their larger than life flowers, as you take in the dazzling array of over 1,000 azaleas that burst into life between April and June.
Standen
Spring is a great time to discover the garden and woodlands at Standen. See flowers beginning to emerge and the incredible display of bluebells in the woods. Download a walk online and enjoy the experience of spring across the estate.
Petworth
Welcome in the spring when a sea of wild daffodils covers the Pleasure Grounds at Petworth. This downloadable trail takes you on a walk through the grounds that Capability Brown designed. There are thousands of wild yellow primroses and magnolia trees with their fragrant flowers. Visit again later in the season when swathes of bluebells blanket the Pleasure Grounds.
Nymans
From the flamboyant waxy blooms of magnolias to the bright splashes of colour from daffodils and camellias, Nymans is the place to experience spring in all its glory.
Best places for autumn colour in Sussex







Nymans
Enjoy glorious autumn colours reflected in the lake, and the bark of magnificent redwoods turned a deep orange in the low autumn sunlight on this downloadable trail.
Petworth
With 700 acres to explore, there are endless opportunities for walking at Petworth. In autumn enjoy the striking russet and gold of the leaves from the ancient and veteran trees and hear the crunch of the leaves underfoot on one of these downloadable walks.
Standen
Discover autumn colour in the woodlands and estate or explore further afield on one of our self-guided walking trails at Standen. Look out for wildlife along the way.
Sheffield Park and Garden
Famous for its autumn colour, this is the season that Sheffield Park and Garden was planted for. Centuries of design and care have created the woods, glades and lakes with their remarkable autumn colours. Pre-booking is essential in 2020.
Autumn colour on the South Downs
Enjoying some autumn colour. Walking the dog. Walking off lunch. Walking the 100 miles of the South Downs Way. Whatever your reasons for stepping out on the South Downs, there’s a route that’s right for you.
Autumn colour at Uppark
Visit Uppark this autumn and see the garden turn from lush greens into golds reds and oranges.
Six things to see on an autumn woodland walk
An autumn woodland glowing with colour and rich with the smell of damp earth is a wonderful place to be. National Trust Ranger Chloe Bradbrooke suggests six mini wonders of nature to look out for on an autumn woodland walk.
Best places for winter walks in Sussex




Nymans
There's plenty of seasonal colour and scents to enjoy at Nymans with winter-flowering shrubs, including camellias, sweet box, barberry and daphnes.
Petworth Park
Wrap up warm, step in to some sturdy footwear and head out into the 700 acre parkland landscaped by 'Capability' Brown for an invigorating walk on a crisp winters day.
Standen
This winter there are plenty of walks through 100 acres of the original Standen estate, including ancient woods and frosty fields. Dogs are welcome on a lead. Please note normal admission applies to enter the property and car park.
Sheffield Park and Garden
Enjoy the frosty landscape and reflections in the lakes on a gentle stroll around the garden. There’s something for all types of walkers at Sheffield Park and Garden.