Brighton to Lewes Walk

7 miles (11.2 km)

A walk across the South Downs from Brighton to Lewes using a mixture of roads and footpaths. There's splendid views across the Downs and a visit to the Castle Hill Nature Reserve to enjoy.
Walk Report October 21st 2026 By James Walker:
We started at Brighton station and made our way out towards the racecourse, leaving the busy streets behind as we headed for the open countryside.... The initial stretch is more urban than you might expect for a walk across the South Downs, but once we reached Drove Road and began climbing onto the Downs, the scenery really opened up. I loved the feeling of getting above the city, with views stretching back towards Brighton and the sea. It is worth looking back now and again as you climb, because the coastline looks quite different from up here.
The paths around Newmarket Hill brought us into the sort of rolling chalk downland that makes this part of Sussex so appealing. There are broad grassy slopes, open fields and big skies, with the occasional patch of scrub providing cover for birds. I was particularly interested in the wildflowers as we approached Castle Hill Nature Reserve. In the right season, the chalk grassland is dotted with yellow bird's-foot-trefoil and pink thrift, while butterflies flutter across the shorter grass. I kept an eye out for a lesser whitethroat in the scrub, although these shy birds are much easier to hear than to spot.
Castle Hill was one of my favourite parts of the walk. The slopes have a wonderfully open feel, and the views across the Downs towards the coast make a good excuse to stop for a breather. It is also a special area for wildlife, with its chalk grassland supporting plants and insects that are less common in more intensively farmed countryside. We took our time here, enjoying the landscape rather than rushing straight on. There is little shade on the exposed sections, so on a sunny day it pays to carry water and have a hat handy.
As we continued towards Kingston, the views changed to rolling fields and the valleys around the village. Kingston itself is a pleasant place to pass through, with cottages clustered around the village pond and the South Downs rising close behind. The Juggs pub is a particularly appealing landmark, occupying an old cottage and offering a proper country-pub stop if you want to break the journey. I could see why walkers are tempted to call in for a drink or lunch, especially if the garden is open on a warm day. We carried on towards Lewes, but it would be worth checking the pub's opening times if you plan to stop.
The approach to Lewes felt like a gradual return to town after so much open countryside. One of the interesting buildings along the way is Anne of Cleves House, a timber-framed fifteenth-century property with a history tied to Henry VIII's former wife, although she never actually lived there. I enjoyed spotting the old buildings as we came into town, which has a very different character from Brighton, with its steep streets, independent shops and long history.
We finished near Lewes Castle, standing high above the town. It is an impressive sight from below, and if you have time, the castle and museum are well worth considering for a separate visit. By this point we had enjoyed a good stretch of downland walking, wildlife and wide-open views, and arriving in Lewes felt like a satisfying end to the journey.
This walk is a great way to experience the South Downs between two very different towns. The climb out of Brighton takes a little effort, but once you're up on the chalk hills, the open views and wildflower-rich slopes make it worthwhile. I particularly enjoyed Castle Hill and the sense of space across the Downs, while Kingston offers a welcome village pause before the final stretch into historic Lewes.
In Lewes you can extend your walk by visiting the delightful Mount Caburn Nature Reserve.
The South Downs Way National Trail crosses the area.
Pubs and More Info
Just a couple of miles to the south of Lewes you'll find the interesting village of Iford. The historic settlement includes 18 listed buildings, a 12th century church and a sundial marking the Greenwich meridian which runs through the village. From here you can enjoy a walk up to the viewpoint at Iford Hill on a particularly lovely section of the South Downs. On the Iford walk there's also Rodmell where you can visit the National Trust's Monk's House. The 16th-century weatherboarded cottage was once the home of author Virginia Woolfe and her husband.