Hike up hill and down dale in rural South East England — Wealdway

The Wealdway is an intimate and heart-warming journey across the varied and tranquil countryside of rural South East England. Taking in two historic counties, two beautiful Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and one national park, it is a long-distance trail of high calibre.

It’s an 80-mile (127 km) adventure that effectively runs from coast to coast. Starting on the Thames Estuary at Gravesend, it journeys over the beautiful Kent Downs AONB; explores the verdant Medway Valley; crosses into East Sussex and the High Weald AONB, climbing to its spectacular high point in Ashdown Forest, before descending into the Low Weald; and finally coming to a climax on the South Downs above Eastbourne.

It is an undulating journey, with gradual inclines to escarpment viewpoints, followed by gentle descents to gorgeous river valleys thronged with colour and life. Quintessentially charming English villages dot the route, but the trail mostly seeks out serenity over settlement.

The region is rich in ancient history, from Neolithic times and the Romans, to the era of the monasteries and the boom of the industrial revolution and specifically the Wealden iron industry. The wheel of time has left its mark right across this ancient landscape.

Some choose to tackle the Wealdway from south to north, finishing in Gravesend. In this Collection, I have opted to go with the traditional bearing, starting at the Thames and heading south. This way the spectacular finale on the South Downs above Eastbourne is saved for last. I have split the route into 8 stages that vary in length between 8 and 16 miles (12.9 and 25.7 km). It is an itinerary that could be tackled any time of year, though the route is at its most colourful in late spring.

The kindness of the gradients makes this a hillwalking adventure that is suitable for all, regardless of age, experience or fitness. Better still, the route is waymarked throughout with finger posts and arrowed wooden pillars. Although the route purposefully avoids human habitation where possible, villages or towns are still visited during each section, with detours to other settlements also feasible.

There’s usually a couple of options for lunch during each stage, though advance planning and booking is recommended. This means you won’t have to carry too many provisions with you. However, some sections involve high walking on ground exposed to the elements. Warm layers and waterproofs are highly recommended, whilst the clay soil found in the Low Weald is especially boggy after rainfall, so study, waterproof boots are also a must.

Each stage ends near accommodation and, where there are fewer options, I recommend specific lodgings in the Tour descriptions. It is well worth booking in advance along the route or planning route deviations to alternatives before setting out on the trail.

Gravesend is an hour from Central London by train, whilst the A2 passes very close to the Wealdway’s official start point. Eastbourne is also accessible by train from London, with the faster services taking less than an hour and a half from Victoria. Brighton is also only a forty-minute direct train away.