Eastbourne Walking Festival (2024)

03/10/2023

Thank you to all the walk leaders who attended our Walk Fest ‘thank you’ lunch today and thank you for Councillor Stephen Holt for making time to attend the event today. If anyone has any additional feedback from 2023 please do email us. Keep an eye on social media for 2024 updates! 🍃

27/09/2023

The 2023 festival has drawn to a close and we hope you enjoyed taking part! If you have any photos from the event please feel free to tag us or email them to [email protected].

Thank you, The Walk Fest Team

Photos from Gill Mattock: Eastbourne's Walking Champion's post

24/09/2023

Photos from Eastbourne Walking Festival's post

21/09/2023

🍃 TOMORROW'S WALK AVAILABILITY! 🍃

We still have spaces on a variety of different walks taking place tomorrow, please email [email protected] if you'd like to take part.

• South Downs Way Linear Bus Walk: 9.30am - 4.30pm
• Arlington Reservoir to Upper Dicker: 10am - 1.15pm
• The performance path (long route): 10am - 1pm
• The performance path (short route): 3pm - 4.30pm
• Discovering the Devonshire Quarter: 5pm - 6.30pm

19/09/2023

Despite the weather, it’s great to see people enjoying the walking festival over the past few days. 🍃

Keep sharing your photos with us 😊

19/09/2023

Glad you all enjoyed the walk regardless of the weather!

19/09/2023

Walk Cancellation ❌

Due to add adverse weather, tomorrows walk ‘Walk the Chalk’ has been cancelled. Please see the website for other walks taking place 🍃

19/09/2023

Walk Cancellation ❌

Unfortunately the Downland Birds and Butterflies walk today has been cancelled. There’s still time to sign up for other walks this week, please visit eastbournewalkingfestival.co.uk

18/09/2023

A walking festival update:

The Exploring 10 of Eastbourne’s pubs walk on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th will now start at The Lamb Inn, 36 High Street, Eastbourne, BN21 1HH at 9:45am (new time and meeting place). Walkers will now be able to go into the cellars of The Lamb and see the Bourne Stream whilst learning about the pub’s history.

17/09/2023

Day 3 of the walk fest is about to begin! Have you attended a walk so far? We’d love to see your photos, please share by tagging 🍃

15/09/2023

📣 LAST MINUTE REMAINING SPACES 📣

Historic Meads takes place TODAY at 2pm with walk leader Kim Adams.

If you’d like to book a free ticket then please email us at [email protected].

15/09/2023

Today marks the start of Eastbourne Walking Festival 👣 With a wide variety of free guided walks available to book until 24 September, browse the selection and get involved here: bit.ly/3PryQQj

13/09/2023

We’d like to say a massive thank you to Strutt & Parker for their support with this years Walking Festival, we hope to continue working together.

13/09/2023

Great feature in Bournefree Magazine promoting the walking festival! Only TWO days to go 😬🍃

12/09/2023

08/09/2023

ONE WEEK TO GO!

There are still some spaces available on a number of walks, sign up now to avoid disappointment! 🍃

https://tinyurl.com/zu6ta9f6

04/09/2023

There are still spaces available for ‘Hilly & Happy’ taking place on Thursday 21st September.

Join walk leader Jacky Ford on this 4 mile hike along the Downs. Leaving East Dean, it's a short climb to the cliff tops where you join the South Downs Way and head west on an undulating route with fantastic seascapes. After a stop at Flagstaff Brow you soon leave the SDW passing Crowlink to Friston, through the Tapsell Gate and churchyard, returning downhill to East Dean 🍃

Book now: http://tinyurl.com/mryv97fj

01/09/2023

🍃 10ish Miles for 10 years - Sunday 17 September🍃

Eastbourne Walking Champion Gill Mattock will take you on a challenging walk across four of the Seven Sisters. You'll encounter a number of steep hills but you will be rewarded with superb views of the coast and the Cuckmere Valley before walking through Friston Forest. Please only sign up if you have a reasonable level of fitness.

Book now: https://tinyurl.com/28r2fs9p

30/08/2023

🍃 Downland Ramble - 24th September 🍃

Join walk leader Jenni on a 10 mile ramble along the Downs! This is a typical downland ramble with a few ups and downs but no steep hills. You will have superb views of Eastbourne and the coast as you wend your way towards Birling Gap and then again once you regain the South Downs Way.

Book your place now: https://shorturl.at/wCKZ1

26/08/2023

Discovering the Devonshire Quarter - Friday 22 September 🔍

Join local guide Kim Adams on this guided walk around Eastbourne's Devonshire Quarter, starting outside the welcome building. Hear about the history of the Congress Theatre, the Winter Gardens and the Devonshire Park Theatre. Stroll along Burlington Walk and through Devonshire Park, around Eastbourne College and back to the Towner Gallery.

Only a few spaces remaining: https://tinyurl.com/mvstfwxt

22/08/2023

🍃 Arlington Reservoir to Upper Dicker - 22 September 🍃

Join John Riley on this 6.5 mile walk from Arlington Reservoir to Upper Dicker. The mostly flat, circular walk will be along country footpaths (which can be muddy after heavy rain) whilst taking in the beautiful scenery of the reservoir, Michelham Priory and churches along the way. There are approximately 14 stiles- one of which we will stop to admire as it is a rare 'clapper' stile gate!

Book now! https://tinyurl.com/mr3tds9y

14/08/2023

🍃 Historic Meads - 21 September 🍃

Join walk leader Kim Adams for a leisurely walk around Meads, starting at the tea chalet in the Helen Garden. Hear about how Meads developed into a desirable suburb of Eastbourne, due to the influence of the 7th Duke of Eastbourne, and discover the stories of some of the many famous residents.

The walk will include the Italian Gardens, St John's Church, Meads Village and many of the wonderful mansion houses 'where the Downs meet the sea'.

Book tickets now: https://shorturl.at/EPSUZ

11/08/2023

🍃 Hellingly Chiddingly Circular Walk - 19 & 21 September 🍃

Walk leader John Spencer will take you on a 9 mile walk through Hellingly and Chiddingly. Along the way you will see sites of interest, including Hellingly Church and Water Mill, Pekes Manor, Farleys, Chiddingly Sculpture Park and Chiddingly Church. This walk is mostly rural with some road crossings and short sections without pavements. Single line paths in part.

Book now: https://shorturl.at/mw235

09/08/2023

🍃 Admiring Paradise - 23 Sept 🍃

Join walk Leader Richard Page for this moderate 3.5 mile introduction to the Downs. The walk will encourage you to return time and time again. You will start on quiet roads and will reach the Jubilee Way at the foot of the Downs where you can enjoy distant views on a clear day during our short refreshment break. No stiles. Uphill walking for 45 minutes. Easy paths if we've had dry weather, but a stick or pole may be useful if it has been very wet. Return via Gildredge Park to our start.

Book now: https://shorturl.at/ejnCK

04/08/2023

🍃 Highlights of Sussex Coast and South Downs - 21 Sept 🍃

Join walk leader Colin for a 13 mile walk along the Downs as you take in all that the Downland has to offer. There are extensive views along the coast and of the Seven Sisters, as well as views of the South Downs.

Starting and finishing at Eastbourne Youth Hostel, the route takes you to Beachy Head, then follows the coast to Belle Tout and Birling Gap where you'll stop for a lunch break. After lunch, the route ascends to Went Hill, Friston Church and Village Pond, and then onwards towards Willingdon Hill.

Continuing along the South Downs Way back to the starting point, taking in the breathtaking coastal views and those of the Weald.

Book tickets now:
https://shorturl.at/dilPX

02/08/2023

🍃 Chalk Farm Ancient Mounds and Archaic Grassland - 20th September 🍃

Join Ranger Tim Squire of South Downs National Park Authority on a 2 miles circular walk from Butt's Brow Car Park (charges apply). You will stop and learn about the ancient archaeology of the area and also the pristine and rare Chalk Grassland habitat.

Sign up now: https://tinyurl.com/5yrje6tt

31/07/2023

🍃 Instepp, Sept 16th & Sept 24th 🍃

Enjoy a beautiful cliff walk over 3 of the Seven Sisters with walk leader Julie Ford. Starting at Friston Church, you will walk over Crowlink, stopping at Birling Gap for light refreshments and a toilet break, before continuing on to the village of East Dean.

Book this walk: https://tinyurl.com/yc46jr5r

28/07/2023

Join local dance artist Yanaëlle Thiran on The Performance Path! Short performances of choreography will tell a story, evoke feelings and inspire creativity on this thought-provoking journey through the town.

To book, visit: https://tinyurl.com/3ddvejh6

24/07/2023

🌊Join Walk Leader Kim Adams on 24 September for a leisurely and informative walk along Eastbourne Seafront! Hear about how Eastbourne became 'the Empress of Watering Places' thanks to the influence of the 7th Duke of Eastbourne whilst taking in the sights and history of the ground beneath your feet. 🌊

To book your free ticket, visit: https://tinyurl.com/wkn7ccu8

Eastbourne Walking Festival The Eastbourne Walking Festival returns 17-26 September 2021. Visit our website to browse our self-guided walks for you to take part in at your own pace and in your own time.

20/07/2023

🍃 In the footsteps of Mary Ann Gilbert - 19th September 🍃

Walk Leader Kath Boak will take you on a walk below Beachy Head, admiring the seaviews along the way to Whitbread Hollow. This circular walk has one steady incline.

Book your tickets: https://shorturl.at/dxD67

17/07/2023

🍃 Hilly & Happy Hike – 18th & 21st September 🍃

Join walk leader Jacky Ford on this 4 mile hike along the Downs. Leaving pretty East Dean, it's a short climb to the cliff tops where you join the South Downs Way (SDW) and head west on an undulating route with fantastic seascapes. After a stop at Flagstaff Brow you soon leave the SDW passing Crowlink to Friston, through the Tapsell Gate and churchyard, returning downhill to East Dean.

Book now: https://shorturl.at/kwyD7

14/07/2023

🍃 The wind it did whistle and the waters did roar 🍃 15th and 17th September.

Join walk leader Liz Pearson for a scenic walk to Beachy Head. Starting with a steep hill, the land gets easier as we take a short rove of just over a mile to Beachy Head where we’ll cross the road and explore The Beachy Head Story Museum whilst Liz plays a short set of songs accompanied by autoharp. We’ll take in the views before returning to our start point.

Book your place now:
https://shorturl.at/ez146

11/07/2023

🍃 South Downs Way - 15 & 22 Sept 🍃

Join our walk leader as you walk across the downland towards Butts Brow with stunning views of Eastbourne and through farmland to Jevington (home of the banoffee pie). You will then explore Alfriston passing the Long Man of Wilmington and the tiny Lullington Church and along the banks of the River Cuckmere. The first part of the walk is more challenging with a steep climb out of Jevington.

Sign up now:

https://shorturl.at/mrvG9
https://shorturl.at/eqCM2

05/07/2023

Join walk leader Jo Seaman on 'Imagine a River'- a walk full of stories! Learn about medieval markets, manor houses and aristocratic skullduggery as you follow the course of the Bourne Stream back to its origin! To book this walk, visit: bit.ly/3r5bzMv

30/06/2023

We are very excited to announce that walks are now LIVE!! Head over to http://bit.ly/3NpVgS4 to sign up 🍃🥾

14/06/2023

The walking festival celebrates 10 years this year and we have a great lineup of walks. Keep your eyes peeled for more updates 👀 🍃

15/05/2023

In celebration of National Walking Month, we would love to know your favourite walks around Eastbourne! Need some walking inspiration? Check out our self-guided walks, with routes for all abilities: bit.ly/41wFCcL

02/05/2023

📣 Calling all Walk Leaders 📣

Plans are well underway for this years event celebrating 10 years of the Walk Fest and we’re reaching out to see if anyone is interested in becoming a walk leader. If you’d like to sign up or find out more information please email [email protected].

We’re closing enquiries at the end of May ready to start mapping out the festival events 🍃🚶🏻‍♀️

14/06/2022

We are pleased to see our feature in the The Ramblers Walk Magazine. Keep your eyes peeled for news on the 2022 walk schedule 🍃

08/06/2022

The Walk Fest boot flyers have arrived and are looking fabulous! You can pick yours up from the Visitor Centre from today.

For more information and for all future Walk Fest updates, please visit eastbournewalkingfestival.co.uk 🥾🥾

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