Brighton & Hove’s Best Autumn Walks
Fri 15 Oct 2021
Jayne Laverick, Administration and Marketing
As we experience a colder climate, people are looking to our trails and hikes to discover unforgettable Great British crisp autumn walks. Our wonderful corner of the world offers a myriad of landscapes – vast green hills, historical monuments and flat coastal ventures, so you are sure to find a walk that suits your needs and abilities, whether that be wheelchair and pushchair accessible pathways, dog-friendly beaches, or more precarious climbs for professional ramblers.
We’ve done the legwork for you to find the best areas for walking and hiking and luckily for you, our offices are nearby to be able to find you a property so you can enjoy a stroll directly from your front door whenever you please. Take a look below at the places we consider to encompass some of the best autumn walks in the county:
The Chattri, Patcham - Brighton
One for the history buffs amongst you, The Chattri, which means 'umbrella' in Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu, was designed by E. C. Henriques from Mumbai and unveiled by the Prince of Wales on the 21st of February 1921. The monument is erected upon the cremation site of Hindu & Sikh soldiers who fought in the First World War and later died at the Royal Pavilion Indian hospital.
The most picturesque views across the South Downs National Park can be seen for miles on a clear day, illustrated in this gorgeous photograph Carly from our Portslade branch took during the summer. Depending on your route, the walk up to the Chattri offers a gentle incline across chalk grassland and is suitable for expert ramblers and day-trippers alike.
Castle Hill, Woodingdean - Brighton
The Castle Hill national nature reserve is positioned high above the city near Woodingdean. A rich chalk grassland is peacefully grazed by a flock of resident sheep, who you will undoubtably bump into whilst meandering the valleys of this gorgeous local trail. This area offers a slower pace for anyone looking for a more moderate walk with tremendous views across vast landscapes and out to sea. A steep incline takes you back to the start, so an excitable four-legged friend like Guinness here to lead you up the hill is strongly advised.
Jack & Jill Windmill, Clayton - West Sussex
Set atop a gentle hill (isn’t everything in this city), the Jack & Jill windmills offer incredible views across the South Downs. A two-mile national trail offers a comfortable walk from the former Iron Age Hill Fort to the windmills. There’s plenty to pique your interest on this walk with marvellous views, playful horses and if you find yourself flagging there’s a good chance, you’ll bag yourself a bit of cake from the windmill shop.
Jill windmill is lovingly maintained by a dedicated team of volunteers who, on Sundays, are always happy to give you a tour. Steeped in history, you’re sure to come away from this walk fully swotted up on the mechanics of 200-year-old windmills and UK flour production; an unusual expertise but when that pub quiz question pops up and a sea of blank faces surrounds you, that lightbulb moment will be all the more satisfying.
Top Tip – Skirts are ill-advised if you’re coaxed into a tour of the mill, that staircase is no joke and the guide is extremely polite and will prompt you to ascend the climb first.
Stanmer Loop, Stanmer Park - Brighton
If you are looking for a walking experience that encompasses thick woodland with steep inclines, pretty villages and a parkland setting with the added opportunity to nab yourself afternoon tea, then the diverse meanderings of Stanmer Park are for you. There are four distinct routes to choose from, each offering a family friendly terrain and distance for even the most minute paws and wellington boots alike.
Taking an office vote, the second course round comes up trumps. A slightly longer excursion, enough to feel the fatigue of a Saturday morning trip to Churchill Square but with the serenity of a countryside setting. The trail offers enough variety to give the most imaginative of ramblers a feeling of going on a bear hunt; the journey runs a loop past the gardens of historic Stanmer House, over a hill of dense forestry and back to the start, through the picture postcard Stanmer Village.
Situated due north of Brighton, the park is easy to access via public transport and adequate car parking facilities are available at the entrance.
Brighton & Hove Promenade - Brighton
We’d be remiss as estate agents, and indeed, as Brightonians to produce a blog about our best local walks without drawing attention to our beautiful coastline. Now, of course, if you fancy a challenge, ambling across the South East shoreline could take you cross country, though you may need a couple more sandwiches; but a great place to enjoy Brighton’s beaches is to start at the famous Palace Pier. A five-mile route west along a flat section of the Monarch’s Way towards Hove will run you past a variety of our city’s best eateries and most noteworthy landmarks. There’s more than enough to see from the towering i360, the West Pier and Hove Lagoon, one of the country’s leading water sports centres offering wakeboarding, paddleboarding and windsurfing.
Towards the end of the trail is Marrocco’s, a not so well-kept secret spot for some of the best gelato around. Whilst we know it’s not peak Mr Whippy season, that frozen headache is undoubtably worth it no matter the time of year.
Contact us
If you are considering a change of scenery this autumn, click here to get some help with your move.
And of course, if you have any suggestions for future walks do leave them in the comments, bonus points if they end with a pub!