Top walks in and around West Sussex

Find a place near you to make the most of the Sussex countryside. Here are our top walks from all around the county from the Devil's Dyke to Harting Down, Petworth Park to Slindon.

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Adults and two children taking an autumn walk amongst the trees — Enjoy the fresh air on an autumn walk

Which places are open and what you need to know before you visit

More than 100 gardens and parks and hundreds of coast and countryside places are open in England and Northern Ireland. Many historic houses are open in England. To avoid disappointment please book in advance, especially at weekends and school holidays. In line with Welsh Government legislation, all places in Wales will close from 24 October to 9 November. Please check the property webpage of the place you wish to visit before you travel. Read this article to find out how to book and what to expect from your visit.

Plan your visit

Best places for autumn colour in Sussex

The Lime Avenue woodland at Nymans, West Sussex

Autumn colour and deer in the parkland at Petworth

Standen and the Bluebell Railway, West Sussex

Autumn colour reflects in the lake at Sheffield Park Sussex

A picture of a girl clasping autumn leaves

Visitors enjoying the autumn leaves at Belton House, Lincolnshire

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.

South Downs nature walks

Delicate wild garlicflowers carpet the floor and fils the air with their deliciously pungent scent

Wolstonbury Hill explore nature walk

This walk takes you through beech woodland and across open grassland, and as a Special Site of Scientific Interest you'll find a variety of plants and wildlife. Visit in the spring to see bluebells and smell the wild garlic.

A dark green fritillary butterfly warms its wings on a thistle

Cissbury Ring butterfly walk

One of the very best butterfly sites in Sussex, including numerous Adonis and chalkhill blues, dark-green fritillaries and marbled whites.

Butterfly in the garden in the summer at Monk's House, East Sussex

Devil's Dyke butterfly walk

This 1 mile walk over chalk grassland is abundant with butterflies; you could spot any number, from the Adonis blue, chalkhill blue and green hairstreak to smaller populations of brown argus, dark-green fritillary and silver-spotted skipper.

Seven Sisters walks

Three people walk along the top of the magnificent Seven Sisters cliffs with distant views behind of sea , horizon, Birling Gap coastguard cottages and Belle tout lighthouse

Family coast walk

If you fancy a perfect spring stroll then take a wander up Lookout Hill to Mad Jack Fuller's folly and enjoy some breathtaking sea and downland views. This walk is perfect for views of the Seven Sisters and the red and white stripe Beachy Head lighthouse.

A view from flag staff looking back towards Belle Tout

Cliff Top Walk from Birling Gap to Exceat

Follow the Seven Sisters and find the meanders of the River Cuckmere.

Sunset lends stunning colours to the winding Cuckmere meanders

A heavenly haven at Chyngton

Take in the chalk downland of Seaford Head local nature reserve, with stunning views of the Seven Sisters and Cuckmere Valley on this easy to moderate walk.

South Downs walks in the west

A rare Duke of Burgundy butterfly at Harting Down

Harting Down wildlife walk

This walk offers panoramic views over the Weald to the North Downs, before descending into secluded valleys of natural and historic interest full of rare wildlife and plants.