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Explore a different side to the Lewes District and delve into our history, folklore and landscapes with Walk This Way: Visit Lewes’ festival of walks led by local experts.
With plenty of walks programmed, there’s something for everyone to enjoy - from farming and folklore to pubs and plantlife, and even a spooky twilight ghost walk around Lewes. Choose from coastal, town and country walks, enjoy the benefits to body and soul and learn more about our heritage and culture along the way.
View the collection on Eventbrite, or browse the programme below and click the green booking links to secure your place - walk numbers will be limited and are offered on a first come first served basis, so be quick! Walks cost just £5 to join, and are free for under 12s. If you’d like help to sign up for a walk, call into either Lewes, Newhaven or Seaford Tourist Information Centres where the staff will be pleased to assist.
Walk intensity key
Easy / Accessible - walks for all, including people with conventional wheelchairs and pushchairs on easy access paths. Any comfortable shoes or trainers can be worn. Assistance may be needed to push wheelchairs on some sections.
Easy - walks for those who do not have a mobility difficulty, a specific health problem or are very unfit. Suitable for pushchairs if they can be lifted over occasional obstructions. Comfortable shoes or trainers can be worn.
Leisurely - walks for reasonably fit people with some walking experience. May include unsurfaced rural paths. Depending on the weather, walking boots and warm, waterproof clothing are recommended.
Moderate - walks for those with country walking experience and a good level of fitness. May include some steep paths and open country, and may be at a brisk pace. Walking boots and warm, waterproof clothing are essential.
Lives and Lettering in Ditchling - with Janet Cragg of the Ditchling History Project
This village walk takes in the churchyard and burial grounds to explore Ditchling's stone-carving heritage and some of the lives behind the letters.
1.5 miles - suitable for all - one road to cross - cafe and pubs at start and finish - free car park 100m west of the War Memorial, parking also available at the Village Hall - no dogs allowed
Start: War Memorial, West Street, Ditchling BN6 8TS
Finish: St. Margaret's Church, Church Lane, Ditchling BN6 8TB
Walk intensity: Easy
Saturday 17th May, 10.30am - 12.30pm
Lewes in 1915 – a View from the British West Indies - with Edwina Livesey, historian
Did you know that thousands of volunteer soldiers in WW1 came from the British West Indies? Most were camped in Seaford, and some visited and enjoyed Lewes. Discover some of our historic sights through the eyes of these remarkable men. Learn about how the war impacted the town and about the enormous contribution that the British West Indies made to the war effort. The walk will feature a unique opportunity to visit the historic church once used at the camp.
1 mile - a few roads to cross in Lewes town - suitable for all - toilets and cafes en route - dogs on leads welcome
Start: Green Huts, Garden Street, Lewes BN7 1TJ
Finish: Anne of Cleves House, Southover High Street BN7 1JA
Walk intensity: Easy accessible
Saturday 17th May, 10.30am - 12 noon
Saturday 24th May, 10.30am - 12 noon
Iford Estate Biodiversity Project - with Ben Taylor, MD of Iford Estate
The Iford Biodiversity Project explores efforts to enhance local biodiversity through habitat restoration and sustainable land management. Visitors learn about biodiversity net gain, where environmental improvements exceed development impacts. The project emphasises wildlife corridors, native planting and conservation practices, fostering ecological balance and long-term environmental resilience.
This walk covers farmland tracks and relatively steep hill climbs with some uneven terrain. Not suitable for wheelchair users.
Please bring water and binoculars, if you have them.
4 miles - adults only - no toilets en route - no dogs allowed
Start and finish at Houndean Farm Yard, Iford, Lewes BN7 3JH
Walk intensity: Moderate
The Lost Pubs and Inns of Lewes Town Centre - with Debby Matthews, historian
It is said that there have been 70 pubs and inns in Lewes at some time or another. This walk will introduce the locations of sixteen that can now be described as “lost”, just around the centre of Lewes town. Drawing on the books of LS Davey and David and Lynda Russell, Debby’s walk features a wealth of stories of how people lived and socialised in Lewes in the past.
2 miles - suitable for all - a few roads to cross - toilets, pubs and cafes en route - dogs on leads welcome
Start: Lewes Market Tower, Market Street, Lewes BN7 2NB
Finish: Mini roundabout, Friars Walk opposite the Premier Inn BN7 2PB
Walk intensity: Easy accessible
Saturday 17th May, 1.30 - 3.30pm
The Battle of Lewes (1264) - with John Freeman, Sussex Co-ordinator for the Battlefields Trust
The walk on the Downs above Lewes offers splendid views. John will explain how the 1264 battle between the Royalist forces of Henry III and the rebel barons led by Simon De Montfort led to Parliamentary democracy. The walk includes the new QR code video trail.
Bring a camera for the views, a phone for the QR codes, and water. Wet weather wear if a risk of rain. Not suitable for wheelchair users.
2 miles - suitable for all - public toilet near start and finish - please bring water - dogs welcome
Start and finish at East Sussex County Council West Car Park Entrance, Lewes BN7 1UE
Walk intensity: Moderate
Lewes Photo Walk - with Nigel French, photographer
A stroll around the beautiful, always-photogenic Lewes, camera in hand. We’ll take in the town’s most scenic views and points of interest with suggestions for how to best capture them through a lens. Afterwards, we’ll set up an optional photo-sharing group because we all see things differently—even when we see the same things. Bring a camera or camera phone—don’t forget to charge those batteries and make sure there’s plenty of space on the card!
3 miles - suitable for all - a few roads to cross en route - cafes and toilets available - dogs on leads welcome
Start and finish at Lewes Castle Barbican, High Street, Lewes BN7 1YE
Walk intensity: Easy
Sunday 18th May, 10am - 12 noon
Sunday 25th May, 10am - 12 noon
The Veteran Trees of Lewes Part I - with Jonathan Vernon, tree expert
Jonathan has assessed many trees across Lewes as part of the Woodland Trust's 'Lost Woods' project. Walkers will have a chance to consider the value of mature trees considered ‘notable’ and ‘veteran’. This will include willows, poplars, London plane, oaks, mulberry, sycamore, holly, and hornbeam trees … and others that catch the eye.
Bring a phone, camera, binoculars if you have them and a sketch pad if you'd like to draw the trees.
2 miles - suitable for all - some muddy ground - toilets and cafes en route - dogs on leads welcome
Start: Linklater Pavilion, Railway Lane, Lewes BN7 2FG
Finish: Willey's Bridge, River Ouse
Walk intensity: Easy accessible
Sunday 18th May, 10.30am - 12.30pm
Newhaven Cemetery Uncovered - with Ian Everest, historian
Join Ian Everest for a leisurely walk around Newhaven Cemetery and hear about its fascinating history – how it came to be built and why the site was chosen. There will also be an opportunity to see the chapel and the former mortuary building, as well as learning about some of the notable graves, the casualties from two world wars – and tragic events which have impacted the area.
0.5 miles - Suitable for all - Some uneven ground / trip hazards - toilets available, please bring water - dogs on leads welcome
Start and finish at Newhaven Cemetery Entrance, Lewes Road, Newhaven BN9 9AD
Walk intensity: Easy
Love Landport Bottom – Beauty, Nature, History - with Edwina Livesey, historian
Did you know that this wonderful natural landscape was almost sold for housing around 30 years ago? Home to abundant wildlife and with fabulous views, it is also steeped in history, ranging from the Battle of Lewes, to horse racing, to farming in the ancient bronze age. Enjoy a fabulous walk just on the edge of Lewes, and discover its historic and ecological importance along the way, whilst meeting the ponies now being used to manage the landscape. The walk start point can be accessed via the 166 bus from Lewes High St, a 7-minute journey.
1.5 miles - suitable for all - some rough ground to cover - no toilets or cafes en route, please bring water - dogs on leads welcome
Start: Bottom of Lewes Racecourse Access Road on A275, BN7 1UR
Finish: Spital Road, Lewes BN7 1PW
Walk intensity: Leisurely
Mackerel v Whitebait - A Matter of Life and Death - with Steve Homewood, naturalist
A gentle walk along the top of the beach walkway to learn about the spectacular annual event of the mackerel migration breeding and feeding frenzy and all the other creatures involved from April to October. Inculdes an invitation to partipants to join Steve filming in September prior to a film release. Finish with refreshments at Frankie's Beach Cafe.
1 mile - suitable for all - toilets and refreshments available - dogs welcome on lead
Start and finish at Frankies Beach Café, Esplanade, Seaford BN25 1JP
Walk intensity: Easy accessible
Sunday 18th May, 12 noon - 1.30pm
Tidal Tales - with Dr. Cathryn Pearce, maritime and coastal historian
This walk will uncover hidden tales about Newhaven folk who lived and worked in the port between the 17th and 19th centuries, whose lives were dependent on the rhythm of the tide. We will chat about smugglers, sailors, murderers, privateers, fishermen and lifeboat crews. Please join Cathryn, a professional maritime and coastal historian, who is passionate about sharing stories about the area’s watery history.
1.1 miles - suitable primarily for adults, and young people interested in history - some roads to cross, not suitable for pushchairs - toilets, pubs, shops and cafe en route - dogs on leads welcome
Start: Nr. The Bandstand, Denton Island, Newhaven BN9 9BA
Finish: Fisherman's Memorial, Opposite the Hope Inn, Newhaven BN9 9DN
Walk intensity: Easy
Mount Caburn: A Photographic Perspective - with John Worth, artist
John is an artist photographer and during these early morning walks, when hopefully there will be some atmospheric mists for a glorious photographic walk, he will share his considerable experience of seeing and experiencing this landscape and will guide you with photographic tips and techniques.
Please bring a well charged phone camera or a digital camera.
There are some steep sections but we will pace ourselves. Dogs are welcome though there may be livestock to navigate.
4.5 miles - suitable for all - toilets and water available at Lewes Golf Club, near the begining and end of the walk
Start and finish outside St Thomas à Becket Church, Lewes BN7 2AH
Walk intensity: Moderate
Saturday 24th May, 7.00 - 9.00am
Sunday 25th May, 7.00 - 9.00am
Iford Estate Land Management Walk - with Wes Udall, assistant farm manager
Iford Estate offers a walk through the South Downs agricultural landscape revealing the evolution of farming practices, from traditional crop rotation to modern land and livestock management. Learn how sustainable, nature-driven solutions now guide food production, balancing environmental health with productivity. Discover how local farmers are adapting to ensure long-term agricultural resilience.
This walk covers farmland tracks and relatively steep hill climbs with some uneven terrain. Not suitable for wheelchair users.
Please bring water and binoculars, if you have them
4 miles - adults only - dogs on leads welcome
Start and finish at Iford Hall car park, Iford, Lewes BN7 3EJ
Walk intensity: Moderate
Saturday 24th May, 10am - 12 noon
Lewes Priory and its Founders - with Marcus Taylor, historian
A chance to see and learn about the remains of the vast Cluniac priory which was begun in the eleventh century and closed in 1538. We will also hear about William and Gundrada de Warenne and see the remarkable Romanesque/Victorian chapel that marks their final resting place.
1.5 miles - suitable for all - toilets and water available at the church - no dogs allowed
Start: Entrance to Southdown Sports Club, Cockshut Road, Lewes BN7 1JH
Finish: Trinity Church, Southover High St, Lewes BN7 1JA
Walk intensity: Easy accessible
The Veteran Trees of Lewes Part II - with Jonathan Vernon, tree expert
As with Walk I, Jonathan will stop to look at more notable and veteran trees in Lewes, including beech, ash, field maple, horse chestnut, sycamore, hawthorn and silver birch.
Bring a phone, camera, binoculars if you have them, and a sketch pad if you'd like to draw the trees.
2 miles - suitable for all - some muddy areas - toilets and refreshments at the Swan if buying a drink
Start: Outside the Swan Inn, 30A Southover High St, Lewes BN7 1HU
Finish: Clevedown, Barons Down Road, Lewes BN7 1EY
Walk intensity: Leisurely
Walk This Way with the Blossoms of May - with Xanthe Gresham Knight, international performance storyteller and writer
A look at key landmarks, wildflowers and trees in season. Xanthe will tell stories from myth and folklore and discuss the healing remedies and symbolism of local flora. Primarily for adults and families with older children, the walk will include references to Xanthe's books, Herba Mythica and Sussex Folktales.
Ths walk takes place on a Site of Special Scientific Interest so please follow walk leader instructions carefully.
1 mile - suitable for all - some stone paths, steep slopes and rough ground to cover - toilets and refreshments available at South Hill Barn for customers of the coffee wagon - dogs on leads welcome
Start and finish at South Hill Barn, Seaford BN25 4JG
Walk intensity: Moderate
Butterflies v Corvids - A Symbiotic Relationship - with Steve Homewood, naturalist
A walk and talk with photo packs, in the wildflower meadows behind Lewes Golf Club. Learn about Steve's discovery of a symbiotic relationship between rooks and jackdaws, butterflies and spider mites.
This is a steep but slow walk up Chapel Hill to the meadows above Lewes Golf Clubhouse on a private tarmacked road. The area covered is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, so please follow the walk leader's instructions carefully.
Bring binoculars, if you have them, to view butterflies without disturbing them.
2 miles - adults only - toilets and water available at the Golf Club - dogs not allowed
Start and finish at the bottom of Chapel Hill, Lewes BN7 2BT
Walk intensity: Moderate
Sunday 25th May, 12 noon - 1.30pm
Lewes Ghost Walk - with Robert Slater, writer and actor
An atmospheric evening walk introducing you to some of the things which lurk in the shadows... from murder to monks, executions to railways ghosts. Led in lantern light by Robert Slater, local author and EQUITY member. Ideal for accompanied children.
2 miles - suitable for all - some town centre roads to cross - toilets en route - dogs on leads welcome
Start and finish outside Lewes Town Hall, High Street, Lewes BN7 2QS
Walk intensity: Easy accessible
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