Brighton & Hove Health Walks

Our Healthwalks are short, social walks that are led by Volunteer Walk Leaders.  They are designed to help people get the most out of walking for their physical and mental health; and also provide a great opportunity to meet new people.  They are friendly and supportive, so are particularly beneficial to those who are getting little or no exercise, recovering from illness or lacking in confidence.  All the walks are clearly graded so you can see how long they are, and if they include any hills.

All walks are free and led by trained Volunteer Walk Leaders (when starting your first walk look out for them in their white and green Walk Leader uniform and say hello!).  We aim to ensure that cafes and toilets are available on all walks, but sometimes this is not possible.  Walks do not run on public & bank holidays and may be cancelled in severe weather. 

Walking is a gentle form of exercise and good for all ages and abilities; but do talk to your doctor if you have any concerns about starting exercise.  Led walks are a great way to meet new people, and you can do these walks independently or with friends and family.  We recommend that you wear comfortable shoes and bring a drink and weather-proof coat when attending a walk.  If you have any questions on any aspects of Healthwalks please get in touch.  Dogs on leads are welcome.

Brighton & Hove Healthwalks won the Brighton & Hove Public Service Award for Best Health & Wellbeing Initiative for 2009/10.

 

Our walks

MONDAYS

Preston Park:
(Easy/beginners wheelchair and buggy friendly, easy gradients)
A very friendly and popular easy/moderate 1.5mile walk around the city's biggest public park. Includes a chance to explore Preston Manor gardens and churchyard and walkers can choose between a shorter and longer route. The walk finishes at the Rotunda Cafe. Wheelchair and buggy accessible
Meet at the Rotunda cafe, Stanford Avenue at the end of the Park at 10am
Buses: 5, 5a, 17, 40, 40x, 273, (some free parking around perimeter of park)

TUESDAYS

 Seafront Route:
(Easy/beginners walk, wheelchair & buggy accessible)
A gentle walk, just under a mile, between the Brighton Pier and the West Pier Playground. Those who want a longer walk can continue on to the Lawns Cafe. Wheelchair and buggy friendly.
Meet at Brighton Pier,10am.
Buses: 11, 77, 5, 25, 49, 1, 7, (pay on-street parking)

Castle Hill/Woodingdean
(Moderate walk with steep gradients)
A 2 mile circular walk exploring the stunning National Nature Reserve at Castle Hill in Woodingdean.  A wonderful example of rare chalk grassland, packed full of wildlife.  Please note, the rout is over uneven ground and the nearest toilets and cafes are in Woodingdean.
Meet at the small car park on the right after Bexhill Road 10.30am
buses: 2/2a (Down's Hotel), 22 (get off at Bexhill Road) free parking

 

WEDNESDAYS

 

Sheepcote Valley:
(A moderate walk with steep gradients)
A moderate walk of around 3 miles with some hills. Explore parts of Sheepcote Valley, a site of Nature Conservation Importance and enjoy the stunning views.
Meet at the Pavilion Cafe, East Brighton Park, 10am.
Buses: 1, 1a, 1b & 1c, 21 & 21b, 84, (free parking by the cafe)

 

Hollingbury Hill Fort:
(Moderate walk with gradients)
This 2.5 mile walk, with some hills, takes you through some of the most beautiful countryside that borders the city. Explore Hollingbury Woods, the Hilll Fort and Wild Park. There are some spectacular views. The walk ends at the Sure Start Cafe.
Meet at the Sure Start Centre, Brentwood Road 11am.
Buses: 50, 50a (free on-street parking)

THURSDAYS

Hove Park:
(Easy/Beginners, wheelchair & buggy friendly)
A lovely gentle one mile walk around Historic Hove Park. Ideal for those wanting to start some gentle activity.
Meet at the Park Cafe at 10:15am.
Buses: 5b, 29, 27a (pay on street parking)

Stanmer Park
(Easy/moderate walk with some gradients, buggy accessible)
A lovely 2 mile countryside walk, with some hills, through the Open Access land in the East of the park, including Millbank Wood. There are some beautiful views and the walk includes a stop-off at the Village Tea Rooms, before returning to the park gates.
Meet at park gates off Lewes Road 11am.
Buses: 25/a/b/c (some free parking in the park) 

Multicultural Womens Group Walk
(Easy/beginners, wheelchair & buggy accessible)
Join this friendly women only walk group for a 1.5 - 2 mile Healthwalk exploring the green spaces around Hangleton.
Meet at St Richard's Community Centre, Egmont Road, 10am **Please contact us on 01273 292564 for dates of walks as only run 3 Thursdays in each month**
Buses: 12, 12a, 14, 14c, 27, 27a, 47 (Free on-street parking)

Buggy Walk
(Easy/Beginners, wheelchair & buggy accessible)
Come and enjoy a one-mile buggy-friendly Healthwalk along Brighton Seafront.  A great opportunity to meet other parents/carers and get some exercise.  Just half an hour's moderate exercise (such as brisk walking) a day is enough to make a big difference to your health & wellbeing.  And you will burn the same amount of calories walking a mile as you would jogging it, so it's a great way to tone up too.
Meet at the entrance to Brighton/Palace Pier 10:30am
Buses: any that stop at the Old Steine (pay on street parking) 

 

FRIDAYS

Patcham
(Easy/moderate some slight gradients, wheelchair & buggy accessible)
A 1.5 mile circular walk from the corner of Old London Road and Ladies Mile Road along to Horsdean Recreation ground and back to the start, walking down Church Street.  The walk ends at the Black Lion Pub.  There are no toilets at the start of this walk.  A longer version of the walk is also offered.
Meet at the corner of Old London Road & Ladies Mile Road opposit the Co-op store.  10:30am
Buses: 5a, 56 (pay on street parking)

Saltdean/Undercliff
(Easy/moderate walk, wheelchair & buggy accessible)
A 3 mile walk along the stunning and historic Undercliff, pausing at Rottingdean, with a choice of continuing to Ovingdean or the the Downs via the village.  Walk finishes at the Whitecliffs cafe.
Meet at the entrance of Saltdean Library, Saltdean Road.  11am
Buses: 12, 12a, 14, 14c, 27, 27a, 47 (free on street parking)

 

SATURDAYS

Portslade / Benfield Valley:
(Moderate walk with gradients)
A lovely moderate 3-3.5 mile walk for those that feel a bit more adventurous. The route follows the edge of the South Downs with great views and lots of local history.
Meet at Sainsbury's Superstore shop entrance off Old Shoreham Road (by the cash machines) 11am
Buses: 6 and 6a, 46 & 46a, 66 (free parking at the superstore)

Sheepcote Valley:
(A moderate walk with steep gradients)
A longer 3.5 mile version of our popular weekly Wednesday Sheepcote Walk.
1st Saturday of each month.  Meet at the Pavilion Cafe, East Brighton Park, 11am.
Buses: 1, 1a, 1b & 1c, 21 & 21b, 84, (free parking by the cafe)

 

SUNDAYS

Stanmer Park
(Moderate walk with some hills)
A fantastic 2-3 mile walk, exploring Stanmer Park and surrounding countryside. The walk finishes at the Stanmer Village Tea Rooms.
Meet outside the Village Tea Rooms at 10.45am
Buses: 78 direct to Stanmer Church (some free parking in the park) 

 

SPECIAL WALKS

As well as our 14 weekly Healthalks, we also have some new regular walks that could be right down your street!:

• Art walks:  Do you like to draw or paint and would like to develop your skills and meet new people?  Or would you like to be more creative but don't know where to start?  Join our resident Healthwalk Leader artist, Sheila, on one of our new Art Walks.  A chance to explore some of Brighton & Hove's lovely green spaces and get some exercise too.
• Afternoon Walks: Now that the days are getting longer, why not try an afternoon or early evening walk?  Perfect for those who work during the day and a great way to explore some of the wonderful countryside and green spaces the city has to offer.
• Carer's Walks: Caring for a loved one can be an emotionally and physically challenging experience, so a chance for fresh air and excercise can be particularly beneficial.  Our carer's walks give people some time for themselves and the opportunity to chat to other carers in a relaxed and friendly environment.  We can help advise on respite care too.
• Nature Walks in Wild Park: Join us at Brighton's biggest Local Nature Reserve and find out more about the wonderful flora and fauna it contains.  Our new seasonal walks explore different areas of the park, and sites of geographical and historical interest too.

All of the Special Walks need to be registered for in advance, please visit www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/healthwalks for a downloadable registration form.

For a free copy of our walk programme please call the Brighton and Hove Health Walk Scheme or download it from our website: www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/healthwalks

Events

ITV Walk4Life Day September 26th Over 300 people from Brighton and across the region turned Brighton & Hove Seafront into a sea of yellow as part of ITV Walk4Life day on Sunday September 26th. People of all ages and abilities (and their dogs!) completed the two mile walk from the Peace Statue to Marine Parade to celebrate the many health and wellbeing benefits of regular walking. Brighton & Hove was one of ten cities across the country chosen by ITV and the Department of Health's Change4Life and Walk4Life campaigns to mark the special walking day. The events proved to be a huge success and plans are already under way to organise even bigger and better events next year. The event was organised in Brighton by Brighton & Hove Healthwalks and included a walking market promoting all types of walking from countryside rambles to Nordic Walking.