day tours from brighton uk

13 BEST Day Trips from Brighton, England

Looking for the best day trips from brighton from exploring ancient arundel castle to the seven sisters, check out these amazing brighton day trips..

Everyone knows and loves Brighton, right? It’s got this buzzing excitement like few other places in England. There are some incredible restaurants, you can’t help but feel like a kid again at Brighton Pier, and the views along the coast are stunning. I for one absolutely love it there, and I know I’m not the only one!

Due to its location, there are plenty of amazing day trips from Brighton that you can visit within a couple of hours’ drive from the city itself. And if you don’t have access to a car, don’t worry. There are also loads of train routes out of Brighton on a daily basis. That means you’ll be able to visit all of these places listed very easily!

So, where are you heading, that’s the question?

Whether you want to dive into history at Anne Boleyn’s old house at Hever Castle, or you want to breathe in the fresh English air in the South Downs National Park, you can easily find something to fit all interests and budgets.

I love that the wider Sussex area is filled with quaint towns, shops, pubs and excursions, but if you want something a little more fast-paced, you can get into London in about 45 minutes.

So, what amazing and inspiring activities can you expect to discover on a Brighton day trip? Let’s dive in and find out more!

Day Trips from Brighton

South downs national park.

One of the best things about being in East Sussex is that you’re only around half an hour by car away from the lush greenery of the South Downs National Park. 

Whether you just fancy a slow walk around some of the more popular trails, or you’ve come prepared with a bike to work up a sweat, you’re almost guaranteed a lovely day out just a short distance from the city. 

One of the walks we’d really recommend is Kingley Vale . Just wait till you see the ancient yew forest here – it’s amazing!

Arundel Castle

There is no shortage of beautiful castles in the area surrounding Brighton, but Arundel Castle is up there with the best. Town around it are picturesque and bring to mind fairytale imagery.

With almost 1,000 years of history spread throughout the castle and the accompanying gardens, this site has seen so much. Take a guided tour to fully appreciate everything that’s gone on here.

You can get here in 40 minutes by car from Brighton, or change at Barnham on the train. This really is one of the best places to visit near Brighton, so check it out!

Quaint, postcard towns are scattered across East Sussex, but the seaside town of Rye is something else entirely. Known for its cobblestone streets and independent shops and restaurants, Rye is a pleasant place to while away the day.

If you’re feeling adventurous, it’s also a popular spot for watersports such as windsurfing. Get that adrenaline pumping before finding a cosy pub to warm up in with a meal and a pint. Sounds perfect, right?

Hever Castle

Harking back to the 13th century, Hever Castle is a beautiful castle in neighbouring Kent, but it’s the residents of the castle that makes it interesting.

As the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII’s second wife, Hever Castle is forever tied into the bloody royal history of Tudor England.

Here you can explore the medieval and renaissance-era rooms before wandering around the expansive gardens. Honestly, you have to see them to understand how beautiful they are. For me, this is definitely one of the best day trips from Brighton!

The Seven Sisters

Do you love looking out over stunning coastal views? Then head to The Seven Sisters area. This is a series of chalk cliffs that are an iconic image of England.

From here you can see out across the English Channel towards France. One of my favourite walks here is the Beachy Head walk . This is the highest section of the cliffs, and once again the views are just magnificent.

It’s a geological marvel and has been studied for centuries. Pack a picnic and your hiking boots and explore this patch of coastal paradise. Just make sure you’re ready to have sore legs the next day!

If you’re looking for a tour from Brighton, then this one is the best around . It even includes visit the South Downs National Park too!

I love a small English town, but the best time to visit the nearby town of Lewes is on Bonfire Night. The 5th November celebrations are on a whole other level in Lewes with effigies of disliked figures being burned, huge bonfires, firework displays, parades, and more all occurring.

The rest of the year, Lewes is a pleasant and historic market town, filled with cosy and delicious pubs, a beautiful castle, and even another house belonging to one of Henry VIII’s wives – Anne of Cleves house, King Henry VIII’s fourth wife.

If you’re looking for a quirky seaside town to visit that’s only an hour away from Brighton, a day trip to Hastings might be just what you’re after. This historic town was made famous by the 1066 Battle of Hastings, where William the Conqueror became King of England.

Nowadays, you can wander the pebbled beaches, explore the independent shops, and take the cliffside funicular railway up the face of the cliff, giving you expansive views over the bay.

Afterwards, wander around the town and call into one of the many amazing restaurants and bars that litter the quaint streets.

What can be said about London that hasn’t already been said? The bustling and vibrant capital of the UK is one of the most visited places in the world, so it’s no surprise this is one of the most popular Brighton day trips.

From iconic museums to world-class restaurants to exhibitions and attractions, and more, you can visit a dozen times over and still not see and do everything.

You can get to London in just over an hour on the train from Brighton, and with the traffic and congestion charges in London, I would not recommend driving!

One of the best ways of seeing London is on a Thames River cruise . These tours are always a great way of ticking off a lot of the major sites in London like Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.

Wine Tasting Tours

Okay, so English wines might not be as famous as French or Italian wines, but they’re definitely coming up through the ranks and making waves. The area around East Sussex is one of the warmest and driest parts of the country, making it perfect for growing grapes.

Mostly specialising in dry white wines and sparkling wines, there are a handful of popular vineyards within an hour’s drive of Brighton. Take a tour of the premises, have a tasting, and maybe buy a bottle or two to have when you get back to your Brighton base. Just make sure to have a designated driver at the ready! 

Bournemouth

As lovely as the Brighton beaches are, they are pebble beaches rather than soft golden sand. For that, you can go on a day trip to Bournemouth.

Another popular holiday spot, Bournemouth is one of the furthest day trips on this list being around two to two and a half hours away from Brighton by car in Dorset.

Located on the south coast of England, you can spread out along the seven miles of sand or wander the iconic pier and take in the sea views. If you’re looking for a quintessential family day out at the beach, this is the place to be!

Herstmonceux

Are you interested in the world of astronomy and space travel? Located a short 50-minute drive outside of the Brighton city limits you’ll find the Herstmonceux observatory . Even though it’s less than an hour away from Brighton, this part of the Sussex countryside is famous for its dark skies status.

You can take part in guided tours of the observatory, and learn about the history and science behind the site. The real magic happens when the sun goes down and you can see the stars in all their glory. If you don’t mind wrapping up warm, clear Winter days may be best as it gets dark earlier.

Devil’s Dyke

Despite the odd name, Devil’s Dyke is a hugely popular V-shaped valley within the South Downs National Park. Filled with exciting and varied hiking trails, designed to suit a range of abilities and time restraints, this area is popular with dog walkers, runners, cyclists, and more.

With a car park operated by the National Trust, you can take advantage of free parking if you’re a member. After you’ve finished wandering, head to the Devil’s Dyke pub for a refreshing pint and a well-earned pub lunch before journeying back to Brighton.

If you’re interested in naval or maritime history, there is no better palace to visit in the UK than Portsmouth. As the hub of a lot of British Naval activity throughout history, you can explore plenty of amazing sights, including the HMS Victory , an old naval ship that is docked in Portsmouth Harbour. It’s definitely an impressive place to walk around and learn about, even if you’re not a fan of boats or military history!

If you want more Tudor history, check out the restored Mary Rose that has been raised from the ocean floor after it was sunk back in the 16th century and has been painstakingly restored and displayed in Portsmouth.

You can get here in just over an hour by car and an hour and 20 minutes by train.

So, whether you’re looking for history, culture, or adventure there are so many amazing tours and day trips from Brighton to explore. Which one of these are you most looking forward to doing? You can let me know in the comments below!

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The top 10 day trips from Brighton

I’d love to say, ‘why would you go anywhere else if you’re already in the awesome Sussex city of Brighton along the South Coast?’ But there are some fantastic day trips from Brighton.

You’d really be missing out if you skipped these!

Day trips from Brighton

• Getting there by car: 20 minutes
• Getting there by train: 20 minutes from central Brighton Station

There’s no better time to visit this sleepy Sussex time than on ‘remember remember the 5th of November’. Each Bonfire Night, it hosts England’s largest celebrations, and they go back a long-arse time. You’ll see huge political figurines go up in smoke, flaming barrels and ancient processions.

The rest of the year, Lewes is quaint and cute, with windy streets and a village atmosphere. It’s a direct train and a top day out from Brighton, taking about 20 minutes.

2. The Seven Sisters

Perfect for kite flying and jaw dropping views, this is a stretch of curvy white cliffs dipping their way into the sea. The locals walk dogs, scratch messages into the wood of the sea bollards and feel the wind in their hair.

The view everyone wants, and splashes across the internet, is from Seaford Head, which also has parking.

If you don’t drive, you can get here here by bus using the A259 every 15 mins at peak times over the summer, and every half hour on Sundays.

3. South Downs National Park

• Getting there by car: the Downs start more or less from the city boundary, but the most common starting point (Devil’s Dyke) is around 25 minutes by car.

Luscious greenery just outside the city? Yes please. This stunning area is free to enter, made up of wide meadows, roaming sheep and patchwork views.

Best for picnicking is the amusingly named Devil’s Dyke, which is by a pub of the same name. There’s a pint in there with your name on it!

4. Arundel Castle and town

• Getting there by car: 40 minutes on the A27
• Getting there by train: around an hour, changing at Barnham

Close your eyes and think of where Sleeping Beauty grew up. Chances are, you’ve pictured Arundel. It looks like it belongs on a postcard, with a nest of houses wedged between a fairytale castle and the winding River Arun.

The ideal time to go is during their August festival, when the locals poor sackloads of rubber duckies into the river and bet on the winning duck.

The rest of the year, you can easily fill a day with a jaunt by the river, a pub lunch and potter around its fairly extravagant castle. Castle entrance tickets are valid for a whole year, which is a winner.

5. Herstmonceaux

• Getting there by car: 50 minutes, on the A27 and rural roads

Sure, you’ve looked at the stars, but have you really seen them? This rural Sussex observatory is hidden away in a tiny hamlet and has a ginormous telescope for stargazers to take in the Dark Skies. Light pollution is other people’s problem.

They also run astronomy open days and evening courses and have the kind of hands-on science equipment for sticky fingered kids.

The downside to being so countrified means of course you can really only get there by car, but there’s parking and a cluster of proper pubs in the area.

6. Hastings

• Getting there by car: one hour
• Getting there by train: one hour, direct

Try a slice of seaside and a whole lot of history at this out-of-the-norm town, an hour’s drive away from base.

It’s got pebbled beaches, cute fishing boats and lots to do.

You’ll come for the unique fishing huts and the nostalgic cliff railway, stay for the shops and clifftop views.

Find the perfect one day itinerary here .

7. West Wittering

Camber Sands might be the more famous choice, but for me this is the choice for true beach fans.

West Wittering is a spot of lovely sandy beach just outside Chichester, surrounded by a small village. If you like your beaches without a city, this is for you.

8. Portsmouth

• Getting there by car: an hour
• Getting there by train: 1 hour 20, direct

Alive with shabby chic cafes, narrow streets and a whimsical kite festival in the summer, this city is over the border in Hampshire and is the home of the British Navy.

The historic dockyard is the place to have nosey, where you can see the ancient relic of the Mary Rose or get aboard the HMS Victory.

9. Bournemouth

• Getting there by car: 2-2.5 hours

Love Brighton’s quirky gay scene but miss a place where you can use a bucket and spade? You’re not alone, a lot of people think it’d be just perfect to have an actual sandy beach here, instead of the pebble beaches the city is known for.

Luckily, Bournemouth has seven miles of proper sand and it’s about two hours away along the coastline, in Dorset.

Yup, it’s just about in reach for a day in the sun. And yes, Britain does have sun!

It’s a tourist option in its own right, acting as a younger brother to Brighton with its own pier, seafront and pretty gardens.

• Getting there by car: impossible! London is legendary for its traffic.
• Getting there by train: 1-1.5 hours direct depending on train speed

The big daddy of the list.

This trip is so famous, it’s a cliche.  Londoners spend so much time by the seaside at the weekend that they’ve earnt their own nickname – Down From Londoners – or DFLs.

Get in on the hype, grab a train and take on the capital.

A few more Brighton day out ideas

Why not spend the day closer to home in Brighton’s more genteel sister, Hove, where I’ve got a full list of the best things to do .

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• 9 Great Day Trips To...

9 Great Day Trips to Take from Brighton

Oh, we do love to be beside the seaside – but inland and down the coast from Brighton holds plenty of appeal for pleasure-seekers too. With staggering geographical diversity comes a landscape full of surprises, inviting the greatest creative minds to capture its essence. There are more unique day trips here than could fit in an entire year – but here’s our pick for the most stunning views and cultural highs from Sussex to Kent to Hampshire.

South downs national park.

The South Downs National Park spans the coastal counties of Hampshire in the west to East Sussex and is one of the most recently designated national parks. It has always been an adventurists’ mecca, however — mountain bikers grind the hills alongside ramblers touring the South Downs Way in the company of horseback riders. At the peak of its charms sits Ditchling Beacon, a punishing climb for cyclists, but with a view over the Sussex countryside that makes every switchback worth the sweat. A few miles further to the east towards Lewes, there’s a bird’s-eye view of the home of the Brighton and Hove Albion, American Express Stadium . To the west is Devil’s Dyke, containing the UK’s largest dry valley and resplendent vistas. Every photo along the Downs’ 3000 acres is postcard-worthy.

1. Arundel Castle

Settled into the embrace of the South Downs, Arundel, a bucolic market town, is a destination worth exploring. Tuck into a cream tea at Berties of Arundel before a leisurely tour of the magnificent medieval Arundel castle; historical reenactments and open-air stagings are popular here, painted upon a very special backdrop.

Arundel, West Sussex

Arundel | © Herry Lawford/Flickr

A mere six miles from Brighton sits the picturesque, historic market town of Lewes. Nestled in the crook of the South Downs, the winding streets and twee houses make for a delightful stroll. There’s plenty to see in Lewes, including the eponymous castle, built around 1081 after the Norman Invasion, as well as Anne of Cleves’ house. Many excellent pubs are supplied by the famous ale and spirit distributor, Harveys , which calls Lewes home and offers tours year round. But perhaps the best time to visit is on Guy Fawkes Night, when bonfire celebrations make the town explode; it’s one of the largest in the country, commemorating the Gunpowder Plot as well as the Marian Persecutions. The country is usually waiting with bated breath to see which effigy will be marched through the streets aflame this year.

Lewes, East Sussex

Lewes Bonfire Night | © Dominic Alves/Flickr

3. Rye and Camber Sands

On the fringe of East Sussex lies the village of Rye and, to the south, Camber Sands – the only sand dunes in the county. Quintessentially quaint, Rye’s pretty cobbled rows and timber-framed homes belie a chequered past of smuggling and port invasions, but its light has attracted artists like Paul Nash and Edward Burra, who called Rye home. Just beyond the traditional links at Rye Golf Club are the ever-shifting Camber Sands, a Site of Nature Conservation Importance.

Rye, East Sussex

Mermaid Street, Rye | © VSjax/Flickr

4. Hever Castle

Because a day without a glimpse at a castle is no day at all, Hever Castle flaunts as much romanticism and intrigue as its former occupant, Anne Boleyn. With great defences and a double moat, it was no doubt intended to guard a great family – as it did with the Boleyns throughout the 15th and 16th centuries. Later passing into the hands of Anne of Cleves, the castle fell into disrepair. William Waldorf Astor, a wealthy American, acquired the property at the turn of the 20th century and is responsible for the estate’s Tudor Village and extensive gardens.

Hever Castle, Kent

Hever Castle | © Steve Slater/Flickr

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Given its proximity to the capital, Brighton is home to one of the largest commuter populations in the country. Just a short ride — around an hour — connects two cities that rarely sleep. For an experience that only London can offer, check out a matinée on the West End before deciphering the Rosetta Stone at the British Museum. More than a day is needed, but it’s always best to leave wanting more.

5. The Seven Sisters

Natural Feature

The National Trust in Sussex & Kent

Any day trip would be deficient without at least several stops at some of the National Trust ’s amazing portfolio of properties. In West Sussex, spend some time at Petworth House and Gallery – home to the Trust’s largest collection of pictures – including pieces by Turner and Blake. In East Sussex, Rudyard Kipling’s preserved home, Bateman’s, sits some 20 miles east of Virginia Woolf’s Monk’s House. If there’s time to spare, larger estates like Wakefield Place and Sheffield Park Garden are not to be missed.

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Day Trips & Excursions from Brighton

Discover new adventures with day trips and excursions from Brighton. Explore nearby attractions, scenic landscapes, and cultural sites with expert guides. A day of exploration and discovery, perfect for travellers wanting to uncover the best of the region.

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Day Trips and Hikes from Brighton, UK via Public Transportation

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For the last few weeks I’ve based myself in Brighton on the southeast coast of England. My aim has been to take as many day trips and complete as many day hikes as possible, either on foot or using only public transportation. Obviously it’s quite easy to reach London on public transportation from Brighton, but the Sussex region itself has a lot to offer, including beautiful South Downs National Park and multiple castles and archaeological museums. 

The South Downs Way runs across South Downs National Park from west to east, parallel to the coastline. Multi-day trekkers take on this 100 mile path over the course of 8 or 9 days, but many sections of the trail can be accessed by day hikers too! My initial inspiration for this trip was to see how much of the Way I could achieve via public transportation if I use Brighton as a base camp, but I quickly discovered that the sections of the trail that are farthest west are really too difficult to reach by bus or train if I also want to return back to Brighton in the evening. It could take about 3 hours each way and multiple transfers – doable, but a bit much. This post is keeping travel times to 2 hours or less.

(If you are not beholden to Brighton as a basecamp and want to figure out how to do more sections of the South Downs Way via public transportation, South Downs National Park has published a great brochure about your options).

Be sure to check the most recent timetables and prices for public transportation; they will vary greatly depending on season and day of the week. That said, bus fares will never cost more than £2 . You can pay for Brighton & Hove buses in cash or by tapping your contactless card when you enter and exit the bus. For trains, destinations on this list are serviced by the Southern Railway. You can buy train tickets online in advance or at ticket machines at each station.

Seven Sisters Cliffs day hike from Brighton

Distance : 13 miles point-to-point one-way / 21 km ( shorter options available; you could end at Birling Gap, for instance) Public Transport : 45-60 min. Take the 12, 12A, or 12X Coaster bus to reach Seaford. I boarded at the Clock Tower Stop N in Brighton, but there are other stops that might be closer to your accommodation. It will drop you at either Seaford Library or the Railway Station in Seaford. After hiking, get back on the Coaster bus at Eastbourne to return. If you want to end at Birling Gap instead of Eastbourne, the 13X bus picks up there on Sundays and holidays.  GPX : AllTrails  

Seven Sisters is the most famous and popular day hike in South Downs National Park. Even if you haven’t heard the name, you’ve likely seen photographs of the dramatic white chalky cliffs being lapped by the ocean. From afar, the sheer cliff faces allow you to easily make out the rolling shape of the seven serpentine hills you’ll be ascending and descending over the course of the hike.

You’ll be walking along the coastline from the city of Seaford to the city of Eastbourne. For walkers on the South Downs Way, this is their very last day as they complete their trek. They approach the cliffs from Alfriston instead of Seaford, joining up with us day hikers in Exceat. I found the trail quite strenuous because of the relentless ascents and descents, although there’s nothing technical about the trail and as long as you stay the recommended 5 meters from the cliff edge, nothing dangerous either. 

If I was a wiser person I may have chosen to end my hike at Birling Gap to save my knees some strife after a few days of inactivity (long flights and lots of sitting), but I am too stubborn and wanted to be able to say I did the entire distance. If you do the entire distance, you will get to see the second lighthouse at Beachy Head (the first Belle Tout lighthouse is at Birling Gap) and walk the pier at Eastbourne.

There is a very busy cafe at Birling Gap right next to a car park. The Belle Tout lighthouse has snacks and drinks, and there is a pub at Beachy Head. There’s also a cafe at Cuckmere Haven, but this is so close to Seaford that it’s not the ideal place to stop. If you need to stock up on supplies before your walk, there are grocery stores in Seaford; depending on where the bus dropped you, you’ll probably be walking past the Morrison’s .

Scenes from the movie Quadrophenia take place along the chalky cliffs outside of Brighton, as well as on the beach and in a famous city alleyway pilgrims have dubbed “Quadrophenia Alley”.

Arundel Castle day trip from Brighton

Public Transport : 1 hr 15 min. Take the Portsmouth & Southsea-bound Southern Railway train service from Brighton Station to Ford, then transfer to the London Victoria-bound Southern train for just one stop from Ford to Arundel. Same route back; can buy a roundtrip ticket for about £13. Entrance Fee : Castle, Gardens, and Bedrooms ticket at Arundel Castle is £29 per adult.

Arundel and Amberley are both cute little villages with castles central to their identity, and both are accessible on a day trip from Brighton via public transportation, but the Amberley castle is used as a hotel. You can buy tickets to actually tour the Arundel castle, so if you can only prioritize one, choose Arundel. 

You can buy a Castle & Gardens ticket for £27, or for an additional £2 you can get the full Castle, Gardens, & Rooms ticket. The castle grounds and keep are open from 10am and the interior rooms open at noon. If attending during a special event, you will probably need to buy the full Castle, Gardens, & Rooms ticket. When I went on Easter, they were having a medieval festival with archery, ax-throwing, and a tent village with old-timey food and wares for sale!

The oldest parts of the castle were built from 1068-1155. “It has been the seat of the Dukes of Norfolk and their ancestors for over 850 years ,” with the current Duke of Norfolk still living in the non-touristed wings of the castle up until just a couple years ago when he moved to a nearby farmhouse. The Duke of Norfolk is also the Earl Marshal of England, meaning he organizes important ceremonial events like coronations and royal funerals.

There is also a small museum in Arundel with a £5 admission price that traces local prehistory through to modern times. There are many well-rated restaurants in the village beneath the castle, but if you’re looking for something affordable and cozy I recommend Partners Cafe . 

If you head over to Amberley too (by taking the train or doing a 4 mile walk ), you may be able to check out the castle even if you’re not booked to stay in the hotel, but depending on how busy they are you may not be able to order at the restaurant. To guarantee that you can get in, make a reservation for a meal or afternoon tea. 

There is an adorable tea house in Amberley called Amberley Tea Room . The £17 ticket to Amberley Museum might be fun if you’re traveling with children, but I thought the assortment of exhibitions looked a little disjointed and random, so I didn’t prioritize this museum. There’s not a whole lot else to do in Amberley.

Brighton to Lewes day hike with Lewes Castle and Anne of Cleves House

Distance : 7 miles point-to-point one-way / 11.26 km Public Transport : None, walk directly from Brighton to Lewes. You could retrace your steps back, or take the 28, 29, or 29A bus for 35 minutes to get back to Brighton from Lewes. GPX : AllTrails Entrance Fee : A combination ticket for both Anne of Cleves House and the Lewes Castle and Museum is £15. Otherwise, Anne of Cleves House is £6.60 per adult, and the Lewes Castle and Museum is £10.

I knew I wanted to visit Lewes Castle and Museum, Anne of Cleves House, and Lewes Priory, so initially I looked at taking the bus to Lewes from Brighton, but it turns out you can actually walk all the way there! I killed two birds with one stone by getting a day hike in alongside my cultural site visits. 

The walk is pretty straightforward and easy to follow. There are even stickers slapped onto posts that serve as trail markers pointing you along towards Lewes, although you may still want to download the gpx tracks to make sure you’re choosing the right direction at a few forks in the road that don’t have stickers. The trail begins at Brighton Station. As you follow the path out of the city via Elm Grove, you’ll pass quaint streets lined with colorful houses reminiscent of Rue Crémieux in Paris. It also reminded me of San Francisco because this street is all uphill! 

The path begins to enter the countryside at Drove Road and becomes especially pretty as you approach Castle Hill. To the north you’ll look out over rolling farmlands dotted with horses and patchworked with bright shades of green and yellow. To the south is the ocean.

This section of the trail can be particularly muddy and slippery after recent rains; you may want to bring trekking poles to steady yourself. I briefly chatted with a local woman who told me there had been a “tractor festival” the prior weekend which churned up all the dirt on the path. It suddenly made sense why the trail was so deeply rutted here but not on the sections closer to Brighton. 

There is a descent down from Castle Hill to Kingston near Lewes, and then the trail remains quite flat all the way to Lewes. Entering Lewes, the trail takes you directly past the Anne of Cleves House Museum. You will need to navigate to Lewes Castle separately as it’s not marked on the gpx file, but it’s only a ten minute walk from Anne of Cleves House. I particularly loved the archaeological finds from throughout Sussex that were on display at the Castle’s museum; many of them were found near the hiking locations that I’m suggesting on this list.

Exploring the ruins of Lewes Priory is free; you would simply wander the park to check out what remains of the old stone buildings.

I really loved Cafe Vegu right across the street from the castle! It’s affordable but has unique Korean-inspired vegan dishes. It’s rated 5 stars with tons of Google reviews and I overheard locals talking about how it’s always consistently busy and popular. If you’re looking for pub fare, the Kings Head is right in between Anne of Cleves House and Lewes Castle. If you want a light, easy snack, Anne of Cleves House has an in-house cafe. 

Weald & Downland Living Museum day trip from Brighton

Public Transport: 1 hr 20 min. Take the Portsmouth & Southsea-bound Southern train service from Brighton Station to Chichester, then hop on the 60 Stagecoach bus bound for Midland. Board the bus at the South Street stop and get off at Groom’s Yard. Same route back (except the return bus may drop you at Westgate instead of South Street). Can buy a roundtrip Southern train ticket for about £21.20. Entrance Fee : £17 per adult to get into Weald & Downland Living Museum.

Historic buildings that were threatened with demolition have been moved from their original locations throughout southeast England to this 40-acre open-air museum in Singleton. Some of the preserved and restored structures date as far back as the 14th century, others as recent as the 19th century. Buildings representing Anglo-Saxon times are recreations. Visitors can actually go inside most of the buildings and explore the rooms to get a hands-on experience of medieval or Tudor-era life. Most of them have period-accurate furniture or tools inside, and volunteers are available to expound on the history or carry out demonstrations. When I was there, a woman explained how ink was made and then let visitors try their hand at writing with a quill. There was also a blacksmith and an old school plow being pulled by horses. 

I was thoroughly impressed by the museum. So many of the buildings look straight out of storybooks or movies, but because visitors are allowed to go inside, you can really imagine yourself living in another time. 

A BBC show called The Repair Shop is filmed onsite in the Court Barn. The barn is closed to the public when filming is taking place and photographs are not allowed, but you can still peek over and watch the production. Filming was in progress the day I was there, which was fun to stumble upon! 

The Weald and Downland Living Museum is a great day trip from Brighton for all ages; it seems to be a popular stop for families with children. Some of the dwellings have steep stairs you’d need to climb if you want to check out the upper floors, so this is something to be aware of for those with mobility constraints, but you don’t have to go upstairs. Walking the grounds, plus walking to/from the train station and bus stops, ended up being about a 5.5 mile day according to my tracker.

There is a good cafe at the museum if you’d like to grab a bite before heading back to Brighton.

Butser Ancient Farm is another similar site in Chalton, just south of Petersfield. It focuses more on prehistoric and Anglo-Saxon reconstructions.

Add-on : From Singleton you can also do a day hike to The Trundle , an Iron Age hillfort. If you’re into archaeology you’ll love reading up on The Trundle . Another idea is to stay on the 60 bus for an additional 20 minutes past the Weald and Downland Museum in order to visit Cowdray Ruins in Midhurst. It looks like a gorgeous photography spot and I really wanted to go, but it was “currently closed to general visits” at the time. Although, while the ruins are fenced off, you should still be able to walk the perimeter and see them from afar. Finally, while in Chichester you might check out Fishbourne Roman Palace or Novium Museum.

Long Man of Wilmington day hike from Brighton

Distance : I did 7.7 miles (12 km) point-to-point but there are many variations from 4 to 13 miles. Public Transport : 1 hr 15 min. Take Southern Railway from Brighton to Polegate, then the 125 bus from St George’s Church to Thornwell Road. If you end your hike at Eastbourne Downs Golf Club, take the 12, 12A, 12X Coaster bus from the South Downs Way bus stop back to Brighton. GPX : Komoot . Shout out to Travel & Shit for recommending this route. Otherwise I probably would have done some kind of loop .

The Long Man of Wilmington is Sussex’s greatest mystery! Was the 231-foot effigy created by Anglo-Saxons? Romans? An artistic monk from Wilmington Priory? Archaeological evidence suggests he may be from the 16th or 17th century. What was his original purpose and why was he outlined on this particular hill?

You could start this hike in Berwick like the Komoot gpx track advises, and in this case the Southern train drops off directly at the trailhead. I cut some mileage off of my hike by starting in Wilmington. However, that 125 bus doesn’t run very often, which is a reason to potentially start in Berwick instead.

If you take the 125 bus like me, then when you get off at Thornwell Road, you’ll road walk through Wilmington for about a mile to reach the public footpath. It’s a pleasant walk because of the adorable cottages, and don’t forget to take a detour to St. Mary and St. Peter’s Churchyard where you can admire the 1600 year old Wilmington Yew Tree! They’ve installed posts to help keep the ancient tree’s branches up. (You could check out the Long Man as a short day trip if you just walk from the church and back).

Quickly after leaving the church behind, you can already see the Long Man up ahead. The footpath to the left will lead you off the road. As he grows taller on your approach, the anticipation grows too! When you finally reach the gate, a sign warns you not to bother or feed the wild Exmoor ponies, which are there to help manage the heathland. An informational sign just below the Long Man of Wilmington explains how volunteers have helped to keep him looking bright and pristine over the years. 

Most walkers go west towards Alfriston from here, but our trail bends to the east. The landscape views in this section were some of my favorite out of all the hikes on this list! I loved the undulating hills splashed with every shade of green. Soon you’ll be under tree cover, where ramsons, or wild garlic, will greet you with their delicious aroma. You’ll also be greeted by mosquitoes and probably a ton of mud, but c’est la via. Holloways will guide you all the way to Jevington, where you can pause for lunch at Eight Bells (the Best Sussex Pub 2024 ) any day of the week except the day I went, Monday 🙁 Apparently banoffee pie was invented in Jevington !

From Jevington you’ll begin the ascent up Combe Hill, where the terrain is open and windswept. Sheep will accompany you and the ocean will start to come into view. The top of the hill provides an awesome 360 degree vantage point.

The rest of the walk towards Eastbourne is on an alternate South Downs Way inland variation that’s mostly flat but continues to provide expansive views in every direction. I could even spot Belle Tout Lighthouse from the Seven Sisters hike in the distance. Keep your eyes peeled so you can bag the trig point at Willingdon Hill.

I ended my hike just after Eastbourne Downs Golf Club, where the Coaster bus picks up at the South Downs Way stop. I had already hiked into the city of Eastbourne before when I did the Seven Sisters walk and didn’t feel like I needed to see it again, but if you continue all the way there, the Coaster bus also picks up closer to the city and the shore. 

This was one of my favorite day hikes near Brighton because it had so much variation and was particularly unique. There are not many other hikes in the world that feature a giant weird chalk guy (although there is, shockingly, one other ).

Ditchling Beacon to Devil’s Dyke day hike from Brighton

Distance : 5.5 miles point-to-point one-way / 8.85 km (AllTrails says 6.4 miles; my tracker disagreed) Public Transport : 22 min. Take the 79 bus from Brighton to Ditchling Beacon. The earliest pickup is between 9:45-10:00am depending on which Brighton stop you’re boarding at. At the end of the hike, take the 77 bus from Devil’s Dyke back to Brighton (it will say the destination is “Palace Pier” on the front of the bus). It only picks up about once an hour. If you take the 9:45am bus to Ditchling Beacon you should be able to catch the 1:15pm return bus from Devil’s Dyke if you hike at a pace of 2 miles per hour or faster. These buses only run on weekends and holidays. GPX : AllTrails

For those excited about doing day hikes along the South Downs Way, the Ditchling Beacon to Devil’s Dyke day hike will be rewarding because you stay on the Way pretty much the entire time. There are also plenty of other walks that involve each of these features, but I wanted to knock both out in one day.

Ditchling Beacon is the site of an Iron Age hillfort and is one of the highest points in South Downs, providing a great panorama of the surrounding landscape. It is supposedly the highest point in East Sussex (but not the highest in South Downs National Park – Black Down and Butser Hill are slightly higher). The bus drops you off directly on the site, so before you even begin hiking you’ll already want to whip your camera out to snap a few pictures.

The hike begins with a long ridgeline walk with views of the ocean on your left and rolling hills in every direction. It was particularly windy here the day I did the hike; I was glad for my coat and enjoyed watching the ritualistic patterns the wind created across acres of grass. There were a lot of people on this portion of the hike. Once you reach Pyecombe you will begin to leave them behind. From Pyecombe I followed the gpx track from AllTrails which led me across someone’s farm and up towards Newtimber Hill, but looking at the map it seems like I could just as easily have stayed on the South Downs Way. You eventually rejoin with it anyway. 

After the hill you’ll descend down to Saddlescombe Farm, where some walkers stop for the campsite and others for the Wildflour Cafe. According to the National Trust, the hamlet of Saddlescombe “has seen hundreds of years of occupation since it was first recorded in the Domesday Book and once home to the Knights Templar. The oldest part of the present day farmhouse dates from around 1630.” 

Not long after Saddlescombe comes Devil’s Dyke, the longest, deepest, and widest “dry valley” in the UK. It’s basically a V-shaped gorge with dramatically concave slopes on each side, like a canyon. Legend says that the Devil carved out the gorge in an effort to flood the villages of newly converted Christians in the Weald, but it was probably formed over 10,000 years ago by erosion and meltoff from the last Ice Age. Like at Ditchling Beacon, there is plenty of archaeology to be found in and around Devil’s Dyke. 

The trail ends with a view looking right down the gorge. If you have extra time, it would be fun to take one of the many criss-crossing trails down into the Dyke itself and perhaps walk along its floor so that the walls are surrounding you. You could also think about walking to Poynings and grabbing a bite at the Royal Oak, which one reviewer said was better than the cafe at Devil’s Dyke. Or if you’re ready to end where the gpx track ends, the bus stop will be right in front of your face – it’s hard to miss. 

Cissbury Ring and Chanctonbury Ring day hike from Brighton

Distance : 8.5 miles / 13.7 km lollipop, or about 7 miles point-to-point if you bail at Findon. Public Transport : Southern train to Worthing, then take the 23 Metrobus from Broadwater Bridge to Bost Hill. From the Bost Hill bus stop it’s only a 5 minute walk to the trailhead. Or, take the 700 Coastliner bus to Marine Parade Stop C in Worthing and board the 23 bus at Marine Parade Stop E. GPX: AllTrails

Cissbury Ring and Chanctonbury Ring are two Iron Age hillforts near enough to each other that you can create a day hike route to visit both. Archaeological evidence of Neolithic, Bronze Age, and Roman activity has also been discovered at both locations, including Bronze Age burial mounds and a Neolithic flint mine at Cissbury. Did you know Sussex has some of the oldest flint mines in the country? Cissbury is also the largest hillfort in Sussex and the second largest in England. Both sites were significant during WWII.

Summiting Cissbury Ring is first on the itinerary, so this hike begins with an uphill ascent. Luckily the views of the countryside from this angle are spectacular and distract you from the incline. I got to watch paragliders sweeping over the horizon on the day I was there! You’re likely to spot wild horses grazing, too. On top of Cissbury Ring be sure to bag the trig point, and I would recommend going off of the gpx track a bit for the best views. Take your time and explore before descending.

Next we will head back down the hill and begin a long, gravely, straight walk along a country road to reach Chanctonbury Ring. This part gets monotonous, though pretty farmland surrounds it. When you finally start to bear left, you’ll ascend the next hill, very quickly reaching the smattering of trees that marks the summit of Chanctonbury. These trees were planted in 1760 by Charles Goring and caused an uproar with locals at the time, though in subsequent years the trees became beloved. They were replanted after a hurricane destroyed them in 1987 and they’ve not yet regrown to their former prominence.

After emerging from the trees but before following the horseshoe bend of the gpx track back towards the south, there should be an awesome view of Sussex to the north. The day I was there a thick, spooky fog had rolled in and I couldn’t see a thing. It’s not hard to understand why people say Chanctonbury Ring is haunted .

As you curve around the horseshoe, the Chanctonbury trig point will be on your right and a bit off-trail. It was close enough that I could still pick it out of the fog.

I wasn’t keen on repeating the long straight road back to Cissbury, so when the loop neared Findon, I bailed off of the main trail and followed public footpaths into the village. I had lunch at Dee Dee’s Family Cafe , which is adorable. It has an American diner vibe. The Findon Village Store on the corner also has nice offerings if you’d rather stock up on snacks to-go. The 23 bus picks up just a 6 minute walk away at the Findon Place stop.

When you get to Worthing, pop into the Worthing Museum and Gallery where archaeological finds uncovered at the Rings are on display!

Mile Oak and Edburton Circular day hike from Brighton

Distance : 5.5 mile loop / 8.85 km Public Transport : 1 hour. Take the 1A bus west from Brighton to Hole in the Wall. You’ll need to walk about 1 mile through a neighborhood to get to the trailhead from the Hole in the Wall bus stop, but it’s a completely straight walk down Mile Oak Road. When trying to navigate, put Mile Oak Farm in your map as your destination. GPX : AllTrails

This was a nice little loop that surprised me since I hadn’t heard of it before. Seven Sisters, Ditchling Beacon, and Devil’s Dyke are all well known, but this underrated route at Mile Oak was delightful too. It only spends a short amount of time on the South Downs Way, but it also crosses with the Monarch’s Way.

If you do the loop clockwise, you’ll start by ascending up a small hill, but it’s not particularly steep. Once you get up there, there is a confusing moment where many trails split off in multiple directions and it’s helpful to have the gpx map on your phone so you can pick the intended route, unless you’d rather choose your own adventure. The ocean will be on your left and slightly behind you; if I were to do this hike again, I might prefer to go counterclockwise so that the last couple miles provide beautiful front-facing views of the sea.

The section from Thundersbarrow Hill towards Truleigh Hill is a wide, vast, meadow-like expanse where you are completely exposed to the weather. A cute farmhouse beckons you on ahead while the city of Brighton waves goodbye from behind. You’ll join up with the South Downs Way near the YHA Truleigh Hill hostel and follow it east towards the Fulking Escarpment (lol), a great photo spot for admiring the hills. At the next gate after the escarpment you’ll turn back towards the ocean, already departing the South Downs Way. You’ll descend extremely gradually (it doesn’t even feel like a downhill) back to your starting point, pleasantly enfolded by the hills now instead of looking over them from any high point. This is farmland where you’ll want to keep an eye out for cows, and don’t forget to say “horses!” every time you see horses.

Alternatively, you could stay on the South Downs Way instead of looping back to Mile Oak and it won’t be long before you hit Devil’s Dyke. From there you could take the 77 bus back to Brighton, or keep hiking all the way to Ditchling Beacon where you can catch the 79 bus. Remember those bus lines only operate on weekends and public holidays.

Stanmer Park and Falmer Circular day hike from Brighton

Distance : 8 mile loop / 12.87 km (AllTrails says 8.8 miles; my tracker disagreed) Public Transport : 10 minutes. Take the Southern train one stop from Brighton Station to Falmer Station; it cost me £3.60 one-way. You can also take the 78 bus but it will drop you at Stanmer Village instead of Falmer; you can still begin and end the loop there instead. GPX : AllTrails

This loop walk begins from Falmer Station at the University of Sussex. If you go counterclockwise, first up is some road walking. Near the university, they’ve built the trail into the forest next to the highway so that it’s still a pleasant walk despite the visibility of passing cars. After the university you’ll briefly walk through a neighborhood, and then you’ll emerge into the countryside. 

From here a very long, gravely trail eventually connects you to the South Downs Way. Views are of vast farmland, chalk paths, and gently sloping hills which are covered in yellow wildflowers in spring and summer. When you hit the Way you’ll head west, though on another day you could explore trails in Ashcombe Bottom and Blackcap to the east. From the Way you will spot Ditchling Beacon from a different perspective than you would have on the Ditchling Beacon to Devil’s Dyke route. Leaving the Way behind, you will cross an open cow and sheep pasture, then descend down a hill and through a forest to reach Stanmer Village. 

In Stanmer Village, walkers can eat at One Garden or the Stanmer Tea Rooms . One Garden is a literal garden where university students grow plants and food, and there is a restaurant onsite where the fruits of their labor are used for seasonal dishes. My butternut squash, gnocchi, and sprouting broccoli salad was delicious! 

From here you’ll walk through Stanmer Park, a pretty city park where people walk their dogs, before ending up back at Falmer Station.

To be honest I found this trail to be rather featureless; the landscape did not change much. It’s a relaxing way to log some longer mileage, but visiting One Garden is the most memorable highlight. Having seen artifacts at the Lewes Museum that were discovered at Falmer Hill, I also enjoyed imagining ancient times while walking this route.

Additional Brighton day trip and day hike ideas

Seaside towns.

It is easy to reach other seaside towns like Hastings and Portsmouth from Brighton via public transportation. I didn’t prioritize these because it seemed like shopping and restaurants were the main attractions and I was finding enough of that in Brighton. However, these towns do have museums and other points of interest, so it depends on what you like to do. The castle ruins, True Crime Museum, and Smuggler’s Adventure could be interesting things to do in Hastings. In Portsmouth you might like the Southsea Castle, The Mary Rose and Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, The D-Day Story museum, Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery, or the Charles Dickens Birthplace Museum.

Historic buildings

Hever Castle and Gardens would take about two hours to reach from Brighton via public transportation. So would the Home of Charles Darwin , although it requires a lot of transfers. I really wanted to visit the Jane Austen House, but I was not able to find a convenient way to reach it on public transportation from Brighton.

If you like stately homes, gardens, and ruins, there are many potential destinations throughout Sussex . Scotney Castle would take about 2.5 hours to reach. Nymans is 1.5 hours. Bodiam Castle is sadly about 3 hours from Brighton on public transportation, but the ruins sure look like a great photography subject.

Other walks

Winnie the Pooh fans might enjoy walks in Ashdown Forest in High Weald, the real Hundred Acre Wood. High Weald National Landscape also keeps a list of “ Trails by Rail ” that are accessible via public transportation.

The 5-mile (8 km) Chalk Stones Trail brings walkers to giant spherical boulders made out of South Downs chalk. They were created by artist Andy Goldsworthy as a sculptural project. Take the Southern train service to Chichester and then the 60 Stagecoach bus to Cocking Hill. You’ll board the 60 bus at West Dean Gardens for return.

In May, the Alton Walking Festival offers tons of fun group hikes in South Downs National Park; some may be more accessible on public transportation than others. The High Weald Walking Festival is in September. There are also several year-around walking groups including Sussex Ramblers, Petersfield Ramblers, Rural Strides, Friends of the South Downs, and Sussex Sunday Walkers. The Meetup App offers South Downs Midweek Walks via public transport .

I follow a UK-based travel blogger who used to live in Brighton and who has hiked the Vanguard Way. This trek begins in London and crosses North Downs, Ashdown Forest, and South Downs, ending in Newhaven which is on the south coast between Brighton and Eastbourne. This southern terminus should be easy to reach from Brighton. Check out her posts on the Vanguard Way as well as the Isle of Wight Coastal Path . She has been nice enough to recommend me some other day hikes around Upper Beeding along the River Adur which I will add to this post if I complete them.

Don’t forget Brighton Fringe takes place throughout the month of May – there will be plenty of walking tours available right in town, such as the “Subversive Sussex Walk”, plus hundreds of events including comedy shows, live music, art exhibits, and lectures.

Guided Day Trips from Brighton

Isle of Wight Full-Day Trip with Discovery Tours Leeds Castle & Canterbury Full-Day Trip with Discovery Tours Stratford-upon-Avon & The Cotswolds Day Trip with Discovery Tours Stonehenge and Bath Full-Day Trip with Discovery Tours Seven Sisters Boat Tour with Maverick Boat Adventures Cambridge and Greenwich Day Trip with Discovery Tours Sussex Wine Tour on a Vintage Bus with Lunch with Great British Wine Tours Oxford, Windsor and Eton Full Day Trip with Discovery Tours Seven Sisters and South Downs Tour with Brighton and Beyond Tours

Everyone I talk to about Brighton remarks on how laid back, slow-paced, and open-minded the culture is. I’ve found this assessment to be right on the money. Perhaps the ease of reaching South Downs National Park and various cultural sites via public transportation plays a part in reminding people to stop and smell the bedstraw , or the sea breeze. I love Brighton itself, but if I hadn’t made the effort to take day trips from Brighton to explore surrounding regions, I don’t think I would have gathered a full enough picture of life in Sussex. And why not venture forth when they make it so easy?

What have I missed? Do you have a favorite heritage site or hiking trail on England’s southeastern coast?

🏨 Search budget hostels in Brighton and standard hotel options in Brighton . ✈️ Coming to England from further afield? Use an  Airalo eSIM  for affordable international cell data and don’t forget to protect your investment with  travel insurance .

A Digital Nomad’s Honest Review of Selina Coliving / Coworking

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Seven Sisters White Cliffs Tour

Explore one of the great natural wonders the UK has to offer

Quick Details

• Hour Glass Duration: 6.5 hours , 9.5 hours
• Tachometer Level of difficulty: Moderate
• Info Starting point: Brighton or London

Explore England’s newest national park with some of the most iconic land and seascapes

Explore the beauty of the South Downs National Park and see the famous white cliffs of the coast on a small group tour from London or Brighton.

From Brighton

Discover England’s picturesque South Downs without the hassle of public transport on this day trip from Brighton. The convenient small-group trip, showcases the highlights of a hilly region that’s difficult to navigate without a car. Admire views from Devil’s Dyke, visit Middle Farm, and spot Neolithic carvings in the Seven Sisters Country Park — all with commentary from a driver-guide.

From London

Meet your guide outside the ticket office at London Bridge Station and catch the train to Brighton from London (train tickets included)and climb aboard a luxury minibus on arrival. Journey to the beautiful South Downs and marvel at the rolling hills created over thousands of years by grazing animals. Visit Devil’s Dyke to appreciate the view across the lowland weald, and learn how the landscape was formed before making your way to Middle Farm, where you can buy cheeses, sparkling wines, or cider from Sussex.

Continue along country lanes to Seven Sisters Country Park to see the Neolithic carving of the Longman of Wilmington. Go for a walk to Beachy Head and take stunning photos of the white cliffs before traveling to Birling Gap to look at the dramatic coastal erosion and to get your first glimpse of the Seven Sisters cliffs.

Stop at Seaford Head to enjoy an iconic view of the Seven Sisters, and walk to the coastguard cottages to appreciate the area’s beauty in full. We will then return to Brighton where you will get the train back to London or get some free time in Brighton and explore the city.

What's Included

• Chevron down From Brighton
• National Park fees
• Driver/guide
• Live commentary on board
• Pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points
• Transport by air-conditioned minivan
• Complimentary coffee at Middle Farm
• Chevron down From London
• Bottled water
• Local guide
• Pickup and drop-off from the designated meeting point

Extra Information

• Chevron down Exclusions
• Food and drinks, unless specified
• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Chevron down Please note
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Children must be accompanied by an adult
• Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
• Please make sure to have cash in Sterling to buy food and drink (cards can be used at Middle Farm)
• Comfortable walking shoes are recommended
• Please make sure you are at the departure point 10 minutes before the stated departure time
• A moderate amount of walking is involved