Sussex Accessible Countryside
Disabled Access, Wheelchair walks, Easy Access, Access for All, Mobility, Walks on Wheels, Miles without Stiles - whatever the term the following is all about accessibility to the countryside and green spaces of Sussex.
Walks Greenspaces and Countryside
14 Easy Countryside Trails - "The walks are for everyone to enjoy, including wheelchair users, families with pushchairs, those wanting a gentler walk and walkers who are less mobile" - from the West Sussex County Council website - Download the leaflet
Abbot's Wood - "Located near Polegate, Abbot's Wood is a great place for a stroll at any time of year, with walking trails, a medieval lake, play area, barbecues and picnic tables" "Most of the main trails are well surfaced and wheelchair friendly but can get muddy in the winter. If you have concerns, please contact the office before your visit to discuss your requirements." - from the Forestry England website
Ardingly and Arlington Reservoirs<./strong> - South East Water - both have trails and visitor facilities however we could locate no official accessibility information for these two sites - we understand both are accessible to wheelchairs and pushchairs to some degree.
Beachy Head - We understand that The Peace Path is a 750 metre circular route starting opposite the main Beachy Head car park and leading to a viewpoint on the Head. The path is a firm and even surfaced track with no gates, stiles or steps
- Download a trail leaflet from our archive
Bosham Easier Access Route - 1.5miles / 2km - "A circular route from the village car park passing the shops of Bosham Walk, the church and the quayside with splendid views to the Harbour. It follows the shoreline road and raised pathway called The Trippett, past pretty houses and a pub called The Berkeley Arms and The Millstream Hotel." - from the Chichester Harbour Conservancy website
- Download a trail leaflet from their website
Bramber - A Walk for All - "a 2.2 mile route along the River Adur suitable for all admirers of the stunning West Sussex countryside. Improvements to the surface of this route have made the path accessible for those with impaired mobility, wheelchairs and pushchairs. The route is within the National Park and is surrounded by beautiful views of the South Downs. Stretched along the river, the habitat offers the opportunity to see a range of birds, insects and plants." - from the Experience West Sussex website
Brighton & Hove City Council Accessible Parks - "Information on facilities available for disabled people, including disabled parking and accessible toilets" - from the Brighton & Hove City Council website
Centurion Way - "a 5.5 mile (9km) path that runs between Chichester, Lavant and West Dean following the old dismantled Chichester to Midhurst railway line, which closed in 1991." "The route is mostly flat or slightly hilly. The southern section is tarmacked to the north of Lavant. Lavant to West Dean is compacted stone. At West Dean, there are steps with a cycle ramp which is suitable for most wheelchairs and pushchairs." from the West Sussex County Council.
- Download a trail leaflet from their website
Chichester Marina Easier Access Route - 1mile / 1.7km - "A stroll around the perimeter of Chichester Marina with two short optional extensions of walking around Salterns Copse and visiting Birdham Pool. The circuit around the Marina perimeter is suitable for visitors who use a wheelchair or mobility scooter." - from the Chichester Harbour Conservancy website
- Download a trail leaflet from their website
Cuckmere Valley - (NT) - "Circular route on hard surfaced paths from the car park at High and Over to the viewpoint overlooking the valley" "Mobility parking at High and Over car park" - from the National Trust website
Hastings Country Park - "Hastings Country Park is a scenic nature reserve with stunning coastal views found within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Beauty. The nature reserve has 342 hectares of ancient gill woodland, heathland, grassland and farmland together with five kilometres of dramatic sandstone cliffs and coastline." "Accessible Paths, Visitor Centre, Picnic areas"- from the Hastings Borough Council website
Hollingbury Woods Easy Access Trail - "Placed along the Ditchling Road, Hollingbury Park has a large grass area and woodland walkways for those who enjoy walks in a country setting. There is also a large playground with picnic tables that is perfect for families" "Alongside the park is a trail that is mainly woodland and glades. The woods provide shade in the summer and shelter during the winter and the route is free from gates and stiles to make it easy to use. The path has a smooth, wide surface which makes it very popular with families with children in pushchairs and people with restricted mobility, including people using wheelchairs. Along the way there are benches to sit and enjoy the surroundings." - from the Brighton & Hove City Council website
- Download the trail leaflet from their website
Itchenor Easy Access Route - 1 mile / 1.6km - "Begin in the Itchenor car park and follow the John Davis permissive path to the shoreline.Turn left and follow the path to a viewpoint looking across the Harbour to the Bosham Channel. Return the same way if you are using a wheelchair, or if not you can go via a path through the boatyard to reach the viewing platform by the Harbour Office" - from the Chichester Harbour Conservancy website
- Download a trail leaflet from their website
Mill Hill Local Nature Reserve - "Mill Hill is popular for its outstanding views across the Adur Valley. In spring and summer the hill is bursting with wild flowers and butterflies, including the rare Adonis Blue butterfly." "Mill Hill has a 500-metre easy access trail, which enables less mobile people to enjoy this site. There are no steps or steep gradients on the trail and benches are located every 150 metres to provide plenty of resting places." - from the Adur & Worthing Councils website
- Download a trail leaflet from the South Downs National Park website
Rye Harbour Nature Reserve - "Rye Harbour Nature Reserve is one of the largest and most important wildlife sites in England, set in an exceptional coastal and wetland landscape and home to more than 4,355 species of plants and animals including 300 that are rare or endangered." "The entrance ramp means that the Discovery Centre is a step-free venue. Two toilets in the building are wheelchair accessible and we have a baby change area." "The Beach Reserve with its long tarmac road is particularly suitable for buggies and wheelchairs. Electric and some manual wheelchair users can get around the short circular route that takes in the Discovery Centre, River Mouth and the Gooders, Parkes and Denny Hides." - from the Sussex Wildlife Trust website
Seaford Head - Miles Without Stiles - "Offering spectacular views from Seaford Head out over Cuckmere Haven and the Seven Sisters, there are three routes to pick from. " from the South Downs National Park website
- Download a trail leaflet from the South Downs National Park website
Seven Sisters Country Park - "The Easy Access Trail at Seven Sisters Country Park is suitable for people with impaired mobility, wheelchairs, mobility scooters and push chairs and it’s great for walking or cycling. The trail follows the valley floor down to the shingle beach and the mouth of the River Cuckmere which is approximately 2km (4km return). It takes in spectacular views of the valley and Seaford Head." - "As part of our planned improvement works, we will be installing a new Changing Places toilet near the visitor centre and car parks." - from the Seven Sisters SDNP website
- Download a trail leaflet from the South Downs National Park website
The Level - "The Level is one of the largest public open spaces in central Brighton. It has a range of attractions, facilities and activities for all to enjoy." "Flat access to the park's entrances, cafe and community meeting rooms. Picnic tables in the petanque and boccia area, designed to enable wheelchairs to come right up to the table. accessible play equipment items (eg basket swing, roundabout with wheelchair space and more)" - from the Brighton & Hove City Council website