Worthing is often seen as Brighton’s quieter neighbour, but it’s got a lot going on and also offers some incredible walking opportunities. North of the town, the land dips and falls with the flow of the South Downs and is peppered with ancient woodland and some of the most atmospheric prehistoric landscapes in Sussex.
So pack your bags and your boots, and head south for a weekend of wild walks and seafront strolls.
Saturday morning: Woodland calm at Angmering Park Estate
Begin gently. The Angmering Park Estate, just north of Worthing, offers wide woodland tracks and a sense of complete escape.
This is ancient beech woodland: cool, cathedral-like and alive with birdsong. In spring, bluebells flood the ground beneath the trees; in autumn, copper and gold leaves carpet the paths.
Choose one of the circular routes and allow yourself to slow down. The terrain undulates but never overwhelms, making it ideal for easing into the weekend. Afterwards, head back towards the coast for lunch in Worthing before a relaxed afternoon by the sea.
Logistics
Distance: 5–10 km (various circular options).
Difficulty: Easy to moderate (gentle undulations, woodland tracks).
Terrain: Wide gravel and earth paths; can be muddy after rain.
Parking: Limited roadside parking at The Drove (check signage) or in Patching. The number 69 bus from Worthing to Pulborough stops at the entrance to the lane to The Dover.
Top Tip: Extend your walk by walking to Burpham (5 km) for lunch at The George or walk to Arundel for lunch there (also 5 km). Walk back or catch the bus.
Saturday evening: Sunset on Highdown Hill
As the light softens, make your way to Highdown Hill. From the car park, the climb is quite short and you’ll pass the tomb of John Oliver, a miller who lived from 1709 to 1793 and may have been a smuggler hiding his contraband in a long since gone windmill.
Highdown really is a remarkable place and the quiet contrast of birdsong compared to the buzz of the town below is striking. There are views far and wide and the very distinctive oval shape at the top is the legacy of Bronze Age, Iron Age, Roman and Anglo Saxon occupation.
This is a place for golden-hour magic. Bring a flask, sit on the chalk grass, and watch the sun sink slowly into the sea haze.
Alternative itinerary
It is possible to walk from Angmering to Highdown and from The Dover car park to The Highdown, it’s 7 km. From The Dover, you walk east through Angmering Estate to Patching where you turn south to Patching Pond and on to Highdown. Then either catch the bus back to your hotel in Worthing or stay overnight at The Highdown, a hotel close to the car park.
If time allows, visit Highdown Gardens before heading out for dinner. They have late opening times from April to September (but check website for details).
Logistics
Distance: 2 km (short circular routes), around Highdown, can be longer if you walk north into Highdown Copse.
Difficulty: Moderate (short but slightly steep chalk climb).
Terrain: Open chalk grassland; can be slippery when wet.
Parking: Highdown Hill car park off the A259 (BN12 6FB). There are buses from Worthing to Northbrook College and it is then a 20 minute walk.
Top Tip: Pair with a visit to Highdown Gardens or stay overnight at The Highdown, enjoy afternoon tea before your walk or dinner in their restaurant.
Sunday morning: Time travel at Cissbury Ring
Cissbury Ring, managed by the National Trust, rises above Worthing as one of the largest Iron Age hillforts in Britain and it never disappoints. After a steep climb, follow the circular path around the grassy ramparts and pause often. The views are immense: sea to the south, rolling Downs to the north. On clear days, you can see for miles along the Sussex coast.
What makes this walk special is that beneath the hillfort lie Neolithic flint mines, some of the earliest evidence of organised industry in Britain.
Finish your weekend windswept with a walk along Worthing promenade.
Alternative itinerary
Once again, it is possible to walk from Highdown to Cissbury. From Highdown Hill, head north to Clapham and then north east towards Findon before doubling back to Cissbury Ring. It’s about 9 km.
Logistics
Distance: Approx. 2 km around the ramparts (longer if exploring interior paths).
Difficulty: Moderate to hard (steady incline to summit).
Terrain: Open downland; exposed in windy weather.
Parking: Cissbury Ring car park, Findon Valley (BN14 0HT). Regular buses from Worthing and Horsham that drop you close to May Tree Avenue.
Managed by: National Trust.
Top Tip: Visit early morning for softer light and fewer walkers.
Where to stay and eat
A weekend of walking deserves somewhere comfortable to land. There are plenty of seafront hotels in Worthing but for a traditional vibe and a warm welcome try The Burlington Hotel, a Victorian hotel whose guests once included Charles Dickens and Oscar Wilde.
For dining, Worthing’s food scene is quietly flourishing. Tern offers seasonal, locally sourced dishes with a refined but relaxed feel, while CrabShack is perfect for something more informal, specialising in fresh, sustainable seafood. If you’re heading west after Highdown Hill, The Spotted Cow in Angmering makes a welcoming countryside stop for hearty fare and a well-earned drink.
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