South East England blends natural beauty with deep-rooted history. It’s a region of rolling downs, ancient forests, winding rivers, and weathered coastlines — a landscape shaped by centuries of footsteps and timeless rights of way.
This is gentle walking country, where paths lead through open farmland and shaded escarpments, over hilltops and into hidden villages. Every route offers something calm and quietly compelling — a glimpse of old England still very much alive.
This long-distance National Trail traces a chalk ridge for 100 miles (160 km) from Winchester to Eastbourne, offering sweeping views of fields, woodlands, and the sea. Along the way, pass through historic market towns, rolling heathland, and quiet hamlets set deep in the downs.
Running from Farnham to Dover, this trail crosses two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty — the Surrey Hills and Kent Downs. Walk through beech woods, chalk grasslands, and past castles and cathedrals, including Canterbury, one of England’s oldest pilgrimage sites.
Inland, the High Weald AONB is a patchwork of ancient woodland, sandstone ridges, and hidden valleys. Base yourself in towns like Rye, Tenterden, or Lewes for access to short trails with big character — all wrapped in rural charm and heritage.
The chalk cliffs of the Seven Sisters offer one of England’s most iconic coastal walks, best explored between Seaford and Eastbourne. Further east, discover the Kent coast — with saltmarsh paths, quiet shingle beaches, and historic villages shaped by wind and tide.
