There is a particular beauty found in the southeast of England where the countryside meets the sea. This peaceful scenery is notable through walks in Kent and Sussex – the iconic chalk-white cliffs, coastal paths and rolling valleys.
Whether it’s walking through green landscapes or by the sea, your body instinctively relaxes in nature, resulting in a positive impact on happiness and wellbeing. Here are six walking routes that make the most of the scenery in Kent and Sussex.
Where to walk in Kent
The White Cliffs of Dover:
The iconic chalk cliffs at Dover sit right on the English coastline, looking toward the Strait of Dover and France. Since the cliffs are only 20 miles away from France, it is Great Britain’s closest point to continental Europe. These cliffs, reaching 350 feet tall, go on for eight miles. Once you climb up the cliffs, you can experience the rich natural environment, including chalk grasslands, birds, and flowers. Back in history, Great Britain and parts of Europe were submerged, with the sea bottom covered with white mud. Muddy sediments formed, resulting in the white chalk consolidation still visible. The cliffs also have dark-coloured flint as a result of sea sponges and other micro-organisms. The area is a Special Area of Conservation and a Site of Special Scientific Interest, home to many different ecosystems and species, such as birds migrating from the English Channel. Besides its natural beauty, the White Cliffs of Dover has strong history connected to World War II, serving as a beacon of home for the troops returning from the Dunkirk evacuation. A walk through the cliffs is rich in history and natural beauty. It is a great journey along the coastline to reflect and take in your surroundings.
Toys Hill:
Shifting away from the coast to Toys Hill, there are a number of trails from 2 to 6-mile. One includes a walk passing through Emmetts Garden to the village of Ide Hill. This is a 2.5-mile walk on mainly flat, smooth terrain, with minimal rough paths. It is also dog-friendly, perfect for a family outing. For a slightly longer, challenging walk from Toys Hill, is the 6-mile Octavia Hill Centenary Trail West. Sightseeing spots through the woodland include Crockham Hill village, Mariners Hill and the former home of Winston Churchill, Chartwell. The Octavia Hill Centenary Trail West honours philanthropist and partial creator of the National Trust. It is a moderately difficult walk, with steep slopes, uneven terrain, and rough paths in the woodland areas.
Otford Solar System Walk:
Fusing an educational journey with a natural one, the Otford Solar System walk contains a full-scale model of our solar system.
To add a layer of curiosity to your walk, this partially steep, 5.3-mile walk also contains countryside views and a duck pond. The route entails stone markers representing nine planets and the sun. Since the planets sit on top small monolithic stone, you can use this experience as a creative way to see the village nearby. The spacing between each planet reflects their distances from the sun, creating a unique journey to find the farther stone markers. This simple route offers a reflective experience to take in the scientific concept and surrounding sights.
Where to walk in Sussex
Seven Sisters and Friston Forest Circular:
In Sussex, the Seven Sisters and Friston Forest circular eight-mile loop walk blends the coast and valleys to create a day of tranquility. The Seven Sisters is a place of scenic beauty, with chalk cliffs along the English Channel. It trails off the coast inland, adding a portion of woods and fields to explore. The first section of the walk shows the coastal charm, with dips separating each valley. In addition to watching the ocean waves crashing below the towering cliffs, the Seven Sisters were notably featured in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, during the Quidditch World Cup. After the walk through Seven Sisters, the trail contains views of the countryside and ends with a forest experience. This shorter circular route mixes the cliffs with the forest to show scenic variety in your walk.
Seaford to Eastbourne Seven Sisters Cliffs:
The Seaford to Eastbourne Seven Sisters walk is a longer, coastal walk compared to the route from Seven Sisters to Friston Forest. Passing through each of the Seven Sisters cliffs, it is a challenging 13-mile hike focused on the stunning cliffs and ocean. With the estimated walk time being 6.5 hours, this is great for an immersive experience by the waves. Beginning in Seaford Beach, the trail follows along to Hope Gap beach, available to swim if the tides are low. The path continues through Cuckmere Haven and Birling Gap before reaching Beachy Head’s lighthouse and pub. After a deserved break at the pub, the trail goes on until its end in Eastbourne.
Fairlight Glen
For a more hidden experience in Sussex compared to the Seven Sisters trails, this 4-mile walk takes you around Warren Glen and Fairlight Glen. Staying close to the coastline, this quieter trail takes you through green valleys. This path also contains a dripping well near the top, creating mud-caked trails that will leave you grounded to nature. As you descend further into the glen, the landscape transforms into a peaceful, tree-covered walk rarely found along the coast. The bottom of the walk is a secluded beach, and is an ideal place to take in the surroundings and appreciate a calmer side to Sussex.
