The South of England is for the most part a beautiful part of the country, and of course Brighton has much to offer in the way of natural and urban beauty. With so much focus on the seaside however, it can be hard to find places to walk or explore beyond the beach. Despite this, there’s so much seldom mentioned! With some awe-inspiring view and trails out of fiction; here are some of the top walks for anyone looking to get lost in some great scenery.
Undercliff Walk
I’ve mentioned this before in our Best Date Ideas article, but by no means is it solely for romance, as it really is a serene trail. It stretches along the coast, and will take you from the edge of Brighton to all the way past Saltdean. Walk along the seafront for miles, lungs filling with fresh sea air, the waves lapping at the shore.
There are plenty of places to stop along the way; whether you want to grab a bite to eat, or just chill and enjoy the endless expanse of blue. Perhaps my favourite part of the walk is the way back, as you can walk back atop the cliff for a completely different experience. The walk back is a gorgeous grassy path with flowers lining the trail., like someone had placed the yellow and white flower heads onto canvas by hand. This pretty clifftop walk would inspire an artist like Monet. It’s exquisite fresh air, vibrant hues of green and yellow, swaddled by the waves stretching into the horizon.
Another great part of this walk is the abundance of rock pools. If tiny ecosystems that offer a glimpse into some of the oceans most adaptable creatures interest you, there are many in the small beachy shores that are dotted along this walk. Just a small detour, a few feet to the right. I personally love peering into a world so alien yet so familiar, seeing how a seemingly empty uninteresting puddle on a beach can have such a complex balance of life. Of course if you’re purely here for the walk, simply stride on by.
Seven Sisters
The Seven Sisters walk is quite out of the way, but you can get the 12X to a stop that’ll take you to a rest stop just next to the walk, but it is absolutely worth the 5 quid bus fare and journey. The walk is nothing short of tranquil, with rolling hills and meandering rivers entwined throughout this landscape. On a hot Summer’s day it’s majestic, but it’s still beautiful all year round, it seems to offer something different with each season. But best of all, unlike the other walks, the greatest part is your destination.
As you reach the end of the walk, the road opens up as the river that flows through your path feeds into the sea, revealing a gorgeous bay-like beach. That’s still not the best part however. The Seven Sisters cliffs are like nothing I have ever seen. Huge and steep, they are worth the trek up. As you reach the top and peer over the edge, you’ll find a truly jaw dropping view. The water is breathtakingly clear, as you can see parts of the sea floor from almost 200 metres high. The view of the ocean disappearing into the horizon is the closest thing I’ll ever get to the humbling feeling of seeing the Earth from space.
Devil’s Dyke
5 miles North-West of Brighton lies a 100 metre deep V-shaped Valley, known as Devils Dyke. The 300-foot-deep valley was “carved by tremendous amounts of water running off the Downs during the last Ice Age” making it a natural valley steeped in geological history. Holding the title of “the deepest and widest valley in the uk” you’ll find a scenic walkthrough a land largely untouched by urban influences. Being over 10,000 years old, the Valley is home to multiple historical points of interest. From the ramparts of the iron age Hill Fort to the remains of a Victorian funfair, there’s more than just natural history here. Legend has it, the valley was dug by the Devil to drown the parishioners of the Weald, giving the Valley it’s name. Whilst that may make some weary, it’s a beautiful walk, exhibiting how drastically weather and external factors can influence Earth’s landscape.
Street Art
This one is a little different, as the joy here comes from human creations. Brighton is famed for its street art, with grandiose artwork around every corner. If nature isn’t your thing then why not try the pictured graffiti route. Taking you through much of Brighton’s best street art, you’ll see a wide array of artistic styles, political statements and satirical artwork. From Banksy’s world-renowned kissing policemen, to vividly detailed portraits of Bowie. Best of all, is how the graffiti evolves, with one walk separated by a few months yielding potentially different results. Unfinished works now finished, or re-adapted to form something completely new. Witness Brighton’s very own city wide tapestry through the hundreds of unbelievable artworks.
Coney Wood
Lastly, one for the Dog walkers. When the weather is right, Coney Wood looks straight out of a fantasy book. A gorgeous glade, within the South Downs national park, this woodland trails teeming with wildlife, and flora. A great place to take the dog or kids for a walk, with many nooks and crannies to explore. During the day, the light shining through the leaves makes for a magical experience, and you’d be forgiven for thinking you were dreaming. It’s a few miles away from Hove, but this circular trail is a great place to get some peace. It’s not just for adults needing quiet, as it’s great to take younger kids, with so much nature to explore.
