High Weald Walking Festival 2026 square (Instagram Post)_edited.jpg

HIGH WEALD WALKING FESTIVAL PROGRAMME 2026

Please click the walk titles below to reveal further detail or download our pdf walk programme >>

Looking to walk in a particular part of the High Weald? Check out our interactive walks map >>

This year we have a mix of bookable and 'open walks' where anyone can turn up on the day:

If the button says 'More info', booking is not required. Just click 'More info' to find out where and when to meet.
If the button says 'Book your place', click the button to read more about the walk and to reserve your space.

If you book a place on a walk but are not able to attend, please email us with as much notice as possible so that we can allocate your space to someone else.

Dogs: we leave it up to our volunteer walk leaders to decide if they are happy to welcome your four-legged friends - most walks are dog-friendly but it is clearly marked on each walk listing, so please do check before you book or turn up.

Self-guided walks: from 1-30 September you can also download a range of self-guided walks and explore the High Weald at your own pace - don't forget to check back!

Guided Walks: Saturday 12 - Sunday 20 September

Sat 12 Sept
Introduction to walking in the countryside. Booking required
Robertsbridge
Book your place
12 Sept 2026, 10:00 – 11:00
Robertsbridge, Robertsbridge TN32 5DD, UK
A short walk organised by Robertsbridge Footpath Group, Rother Ramblers and South East Communities Rail Partnership to introduce all to enjoyable and safe walking in the countryside.
Sat 12 Sept
East Grinstead Morning Walk
East Grinstead
More info
12 Sept 2026, 10:00 – 14:00
East Grinstead, East Grinstead Railway Station, Railway Approach, RH19 1EB, UK
This walk takes us through the High Street from the station to join the countryside via the Forest Way, High Weald Landscape Trail and the Sussex Border Path. We walk towards the Weir Wood Reservoir and Standen.
Sat 12 Sept
Ancient routeways: Benenden & Rolvenden
TN17 4DL
More info
12 Sept 2026, 10:00 – 14:00
TN17 4DL, Benenden, Cranbrook TN17 4DL, UK
A lovely walk along routes that have been trodden for centuries. We will pass through ancient woodland, agricultural pastures and orchards. Part of the route will be along the High Weald Landscape Trail. Historical points of interest on route.
Sat 12 Sept
The furnace walk. Booking required.
Robertsbridge
Book your place
12 Sept 2026, 14:00 – 17:00
Robertsbridge, Robertsbridge TN32 5DD, UK
A circular walk arranged by Robertsbridge Footpath Group, Rother Ramblers and Southeast Communities Rail Partnership, taking in local history and the wealden natural beauty.
Sun 13 Sept
Beckley Circular. Booking required
Beckley
Book your place
13 Sept 2026, 10:00 – 13:00
Beckley, Beckley Village Hall, Beckley, Rye TN31 6RL, UK
A lovely High Weald landscape walk.
Sun 13 Sept
Immerse yourself in the delights of Chiddingly
Chiddingly
More info
13 Sept 2026, 10:00 – 13:00
Chiddingly, Church Lane, Chiddingly BN8 6HT, UK
This is a circular walk through fields and woodland with beautiful views. A moderate walk with some ups and downs and a few stiles.
Sun 13 Sept
Circular walk from Balcombe Train Station. Booking required
Balcombe
Book your place
13 Sept 2026, 10:00 – 15:00
Balcombe, Balcombe Railway Station, London Rd, Balcombe, Haywards Heath RH17 6JQ, UK
Undulating walk in the wooded valleys of the High Weald with views over the Ouse valley and viaduct and towards the South Downs passing some historic houses.
Sun 13 Sept
A Weald Village – Forest Row
Forest Row
More info
13 Sept 2026, 14:30 – 17:30
Forest Row, Forest Row Village Hall, Lewes Rd, Forest Row RH18 5ES, UK
A circular walk around the environs of Forest Row with a history dating back to the 14th Century. Views across Weir Wood Reservoir, Ashdown Forest and towards East Grinstead. Passing by the Brambletye House ruins and walking on the old rail-track from Tunbridge Wells to Three Bridges.
Mon 14 Sept
A walk in the High Weald of Sussex
High Hurstwood
More info
14 Sept 2026, 09:45 – 14:45
High Hurstwood, Uckfield TN22 4AD, UK
Discover the rolling landscapes of the High Weald on this scenic 8 mile countryside walk through East Sussex.
Mon 14 Sept
Varied landscapes to the East of Horsted Keynes
RH17 7AF
More info
14 Sept 2026, 10:00 – 15:00
RH17 7AF, Horsted Keynes, Haywards Heath RH17 7AF, UK
A circular walk taking in the Birch Grove Estate (home of MacMillan PM), Chelwood Common and Sheffield Forest
Mon 14 Sept
A short Rye Harbour stroll. Booking Required.
Rye Harbour Nature Reserve
Book your place
14 Sept 2026, 10:00 – 12:30
Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, Rye Harbour, Rye TN31 7TT, UK
A gentle walk taking in several wildlife habitats and water bodies, starting from the village of Rye Harbour and ending at Rye Harbour Discovery Centre. The nature reserve's friendly volunteer walk leaders will share their knowledge of the coastal wildlife and the local area.
Mon 14 Sept
Burwash - across the River Dudwell
Burwash Village car park, High St, Burwash TN19 7ET
More info
14 Sept 2026, 10:00 – 12:30
Burwash Village car park, High St, Burwash TN19 7ET
A delightful walk of 4 miles through typical East Sussex High Weald countryside of wooded hills and gills.
Mon 14 Sept
Walk amongst the stars. Booking required
Bewl Water
Book your place
14 Sept 2026, 20:00 – 22:00
Bewl Water, To be sent on booking
Your chance to see the High Weald at night, to discover the constellations above our heads and discover what might stop us from seeing them in the future.
Tue 15 Sept
Cansiron Lane - An Ancient Ridgeway
Cansiron Lane
More info
15 Sept 2026, 09:30 – 12:30
Cansiron Lane, Holtye Golf Club, Cowden, Edenbridge TN8 7ED, UK
The clue is in the name. This is a historical walk along an ancient ridgeway that connected communities when the south east was covered in a large forest. There are also amazing views across the High Weald.
Tue 15 Sept
High Weald Landscape Walk. Booking required.
Cinderhill Wood
Book your place
15 Sept 2026, 10:00 – 13:00
Cinderhill Wood, Cinderhill Wood, Tonbridge, UK
Join a guided walk through ancient woodland in the High Weald, exploring sites that reveal a rich history of land use. Discover evidence of traditional woodland management and learn how these practices have shaped today’s habitats.
Tue 15 Sept
Groombridge Circular & The High Weald Landscape
Groombridge
More info
15 Sept 2026, 10:00 – 16:00
Groombridge, Groombridge Village Hall car park, Station Rd, Groombridge, Tunbridge Wells TN3 9QX, UK
A circular walk through part of the best surviving medieval landscapes in Northern Europe - a landscape of wooded, rolling hills studded with sandstone outcrops; small, irregular-shaped fields; scattered farmsteads; and ancient routeways.
Tue 15 Sept
Explore the southern edge of the High Weald
TN35 4HB
More info
15 Sept 2026, 10:00 – 14:00
TN35 4HB, Pett, Hastings TN35 4HB, UK
The walk starts and finishes in the small village of Pett, on the south eastern edge of the High Weald.
Tue 15 Sept
The History and Habitats of Buchan Country Park. Booking required
Buchan Country Park
Book your place
15 Sept 2026, 11:00 – 14:00
Buchan Country Park, Horsham Rd, Crawley RH11 9HQ, UK
A leisurely walk around the Country Park, taking in the history, habitats and natural history of the Park. The walk is led by Peter Hogan, the Countryside Ranger who works on the site.