Heritage Coast
To welcome the spring, here is a classic walk in the downland of the so-called Heritage Coast, the area between Seaford and Eastbourne, which offers some of the best walking in the county.

Lewes to Ringmer
This week, thanks to the opening up of a new permissive footpath route in the Ouse Valley under the Countryside Stewardship Scheme, I am able to offer a low-level return route from Lewes to Ringmer, which manages to avoid all road walking once away from the town and includes about a mile beside the River Ouse with good views across the water to the isolated church at Hamsey.

Devil's Dyke circular
On this walk we head out from the top of the Devil’s Dyke Hill, for long a popular viewing point for urbanised coastal dwellers. Striking out west along the crest of the Downs we pass ancient burial sites and the mound on top of which sat a watchful Norman castle. We then head into valleys with isolated farm buildings and look down to the site of an abandoned village.

Rottingdean to Kemp Town
For our New Year walk I have picked a linear downland route within easy reach of Brighton, starting from Rottingdean and passing close to Rottingdean Windmill and the historic downland church at Ovingdean.

Patcham Circular
This week, we can enjoy a popular circuit within easy reach of Brighton and Hove and linking Patcham and Pyecombe. Apart from the less well known and relatively little used path approaching point 2, it follows excellent, well-signed downland tracks, several of which will be familiar to regular Argus walkers, but none the worse for that.

St Leonards to Crowhurst
This is one of our occasional linear walks where you will need to make use of public transport, in this case the hourly train service between Hastings and Tunbridge Wells.

Kingston circular
Starting from Kingston near Lewes, this walk follows a series of field paths along the Ouse valley, passing through the quiet and picturesque villages of Rodmell and Iford as well as two other modest settlements at Swanborough and Northease.

Ditchling circular
Starting from the village of Ditchling, this walk climbs briefly to a fine viewpoint on Lodge Hill before heading northwards to reach the southern edge of Ditchling Common.

Offham circular
This is a superb walk, much of it across open downland to the north and west of Lewes. The climb from Offham to the summit of the Downs at Blackcap uses a new route, recently opened up for public use for the first time, which follows the rising floor of a quiet downland valley up on to Mount Harry.

Ringmer to Lewes
Standing detached from the main ridge of the Downs, Mount Caburn and the surrounding hills offer fine walking, sampled on this fairly strenuous walk from Ringmer over the Downs to Lewes.

Southease circular
Starting from Southease, half way along the valley of the River Ouse between Lewes and Newhaven, a well-graded climb takes us up on to the Downs at Itford Hill.

Kingston-near-Lewes circular
Although this walk crosses an area of downland which will be well known to regular Argus walkers, part of the circuit may be less familiar.

Lewes to Brighton Marina
This is a linear walk using public transport. It is conveniently arranged for anyone starting from Brighton, using a train to Lewes where the walk starts, and a bus back into Brighton from Telscombe Cliffs at the end of the shorter seven-mile walk or from Brighton Marina at the end of the longer ten-and-a-half mile option.

Plumpton east circular
Starting from Plumpton at the foot of the Downs, this walk turns its back on the hills and heads northwards to explore a patchwork of woods and fields in the Low Weald.

Devils Dyke south circular
This is an exceptional walk across rolling downland to the north of Brighton, starting from the tourist “honeypot” at the Devil’s Dyke Hotel.

Ouse Valley Circular
This is a level walk along field paths in the Ouse Valley to the north-east of Lewes.

Ditchling Beacon, Westmeston, Streat, East Chiltington, and Plumpton
I first put this walk together for a book of South Downs walks, long out of print. If any Argus walker has a copy of the book and is familiar with the walk, this version introduces several variations...

South Chailey Circular
This week, I can offer a walk along a field path and through the woodland around South Chailey.

Over the Downs between Patcham and Pyecombe
This is a fine and exhilarating walk over the Downs to the north of Brighton between Patcham and Pyecombe, crossing high ground on either side of the A23 and traversing the shoulders of Newtimber and Wolstonbury Hills with exceptional views.

The Ouse Valley and Barcombe
This is an easy walk in the Ouse valley and includes a delightful path beside the river between Barcombe Mills and the Anchor Inn.

Offham and Cooksbridge
This is a walk almost entirely without hills, which explores the River Ouse valley, north of Lewes. Body and spirit are well catered for because you pass by or near three pubs and three small country churches on this fairly easy six-mile circuit.

North Chailey Circular
Careful navigation is required on this complex route through fields and woodlands in the Low Weald on the East/West Sussex border.

Telscombe Circular
This surprisingly rural walk crosses open downland as it heads inland from the coast to visit the delightfully peaceful villages of Piddinghoe and Telscombe.

Ditchling Beacon to Ashcombe Bottom
Although covering ground familiar to regular Argus walkers, I have included – for the first time on an Argus walk – a new path, established by the National Trust in recent years.

Isfield Circular
This walk from Isfield explores the river valleys of the River Ouse and its main tributary, the Uck, to the north of Lewes.