Top West Sussex Boxing Day Walks

Visit the National Trust's website for full walk details and to download route pdf

Did You Know? That Goodwood Gin is made using English wild juniper and aromatic gorse flowers hand-picked from Levin Down? The name Levin Down, meaning ‘Leave-Alone-Hill’, reflects its status as an ancient hill on the Goodwood Estate. 

​View the route information on the National Trust's Website and download the pdf

Did You Know? East Head is a dynamic sand spit at the mouth of Chichester Harbour, constantly reshaped by wind and tide, creating a unique coastal habitat for wildlife and offering stunning views across the harbour.

This route is hosted by Hiiker and you will required to sign up for a free account to access this route.

Did You Know? Church Norton is a site of historical significance. Here, you can explore the remains of St. Wilfrid's Chapel which date back to the 11th century. The area also offers panoramic views of Pagham Harbour; another excellent spot for birdwatching.

Take in the iconic Halnaker Windmill on this scenic circular walk from Boxgrove. Boxgrove Parish Council has introduced a new, signed Windmill Trail which begins at Boxgrove Village Hall Car Park (PO18 0EE) and the Halnaker crossroads bus stops, guiding walkers through the lanes of Boxgrove, across footpaths skirting the Tinwood Estate, and along Mill Lane, often called the Tunnel of Trees. The route then climbs 128 metres up Halnaker Hill, rewarding walkers with spectacular views of the surrounding countryside and, on a clear day, the sea.

After your walk, stop for refreshments at the Anglesey Arms Public House, conveniently located near the route, or the Boxgrove Community Shop & Café. The Anglesey Arms is open on Boxing Day and taking bookings for lunch, or you can simply pop in for a coffee or drink.

• Distance & Time: 8 km (5 miles), approx. 1hr 30 minutes.
• Starting Point: Boxgrove Village Hall Car Park (PO18 0EE)
• Anglesey Arms is open Boxing Day. If dining, please note that tables may need to be reserved in advance.

Visit here to download the route pdf

Did you know? The Halnaker mill you see today dates from around 1740, although a mill was noted on Halnaker Hill as early as 1540. Halnaker Hill is also a Scheduled Ancient Monument, containing a Neolithic “causewayed enclosure.”

Explore the ancient woodlands and chalk downland of Kingley Vale Nature Reserve on this 8.2 km circular walk near Stoughton, West Sussex. The full route takes around 2 hours 45 minutes, though shorter options are available for a gentler stroll. Starting from the car parks at West Stoke (PO18 9BP) or Stoughton (PO18 9JQ), the trail winds through one of the finest yew forests in western Europe, home to veteran trees that are among the oldest living things in Britain.

The reserve is a haven for wildlife, with red kites and buzzards soaring overhead and green woodpeckers hunting for ants in the chalk grassland below. Enthusiasts can spot 39 species of butterflies, including chalkhill blue, holly blue and brimstone, and 11 species of orchid, such as bee, common spotted, frog and fly orchids.

This circular walk offers a perfect mix of ancient woodland, wildlife spotting and archaeological intrigue, with climbing slopes that reward walkers with stunning views across the Solent and surrounding downland. Please note that some parts of the trail are steep and uneven, making it unsuitable for wheelchairs.

• Distance & Time: 8.2 km (5.1 miles), approx. 2hr 45 minutes.
• Starting Point: Car Parks at West Stoke (PO18 9BP) or Stoughton (PO18 9JQ)
• The Horse & Groom is open Boxing Day ( 12pm - 2.30pm for lunch & 6pm - 7.30pm for dinner). If dining, please note that tables may need to be reserved in advance.

Did you know? Kingley Vale also contains one of the most important concentrations of well-preserved archaeological sites in southern England, including 14 Scheduled Monuments, with the Devil’s Humps and Goosehill among the most prominent.

Start and finish in South Harting for this delightful circular walk through the Harting parish, connecting with the Serpent Trail, a 64-mile route showcasing some of the most spectacular heathland of the South Downs. In autumn, the trail is ablaze with colour, while winter allows walkers to appreciate the stark beauty of the landscape and the imposing Harting Down, a favourite hill for many local walkers.

After your walk, refresh yourselves at the White Hart, a renowned foodie pub in South Harting, or take a short drive to explore the National Trust treasure Uppark House and Gardens. This circular route offers a mix of dramatic scenery, wildlife spotting and historic charm, perfect for a seasonal family outing or a festive Boxing Day stroll.

• Distance & Time: 9 km (6 miles), approx. 3 hrs.
• Starting Point: From the bus stop outside the White Hart Inn (GU31 5QB)
• The White Hart is open Boxing Day. If dining from the set menu, tables can be reserved in advance. However, the White Hart is also open for drinks or an informal pub lunch.

Find the walking route here.

Did you know? The Serpent Trail was named for its winding route across the South Downs, linking historic villages, chalk grassland, and heathland, and providing habitats for rare species such as skylarks, stonechats and the elusive green hairstreak butterfly.

If you’d like a festive countryside stroll just after Boxing Day, join Rural Strides on 27th December for a sociable walk around the beautiful Cowdray Estate. This relaxed circular walk offers stunning views across the estate towards the South Downs, perfect for stretching your legs and enjoying the winter landscape. Rural Strides is run by Malinka van der Gaauw, an experienced and qualified walker, navigator and outdoor first aider. She also previously worked for Outward Bound Oman, runs and advises on the setting up of walking festivals and helps a number of local conservation and access groups. This involvement, together with her natural curiosity and love of research, help give her a deep knowledge of the area.

The walk (starts and) finishes back at Langham Brewery, where you can enjoy award-winning local brews and delicious Italian pizzas from Farretti’s. It’s the perfect way to toast the festive season with friends and family after a brisk countryside walk. Wrap up warm, bring your loved ones, and celebrate the joys of walking and good cheer.

For bookings and more details, see the Rural Strides website here

• Distance & Time: 10.4 km (6.5 miles)
• Starting Point: Langham Brewery

Did you know? The name “Cowdray” comes from the French “la coudraie”, which means “hazel‑wood.”

Twixmas is an ideal time of year for city exploring with family and friends. Walk the Roman Chichester city walls, an almost intact circuit of 1.5 miles, for a gentle stroll with plenty to see along the way. Stop at the information boards situated at various points on the walk to learn more about historic Chichester. The route is an elevated way to see the city and passes the beautiful green spaces of Priory Park and Bishops Palace Gardens, with opportunities to stop for nearby refreshments.

Chichester Cathedral Tour

To complete your historical adventures, explore Chichester Cathedral which is open for guided tours and Spire tours on Boxing Day and the betwixtmas days before New Year's Eve. Daily guided tours of the Cathedral run at 11:30am and 2:30pm. Each tour lasts around 45 minutes and offer a glimpse into some of the key moments and figures which make up the rich tapestry of the Cathedral's 950 years of history. There's no need to book, tickets can be purchase on the day and cost £6.00 per person with under 12s Free. 

Spire Tours run on 27th and 31st December. You will need to plan ahead for this as Spire Tours need to be booked in advance here. Expect astonishing views of Chichester, Goodwood and far, far beyond once you've climbed 164 spiral steps, learning more about this iconic, ancient building.

• Distance & Time: 2.4 km (1.5 miles)

• Starting Point: You choose - the City Walls are accessible from various points in the city

Did you know? The original Roman town was called Noviomagus Reginorum, but Chichester came to be named as we know it today after the Anglo-Saxons named it after a leader called Cissa. The name "Cissa's Ceaster" was eventually shortened to "Chichester".

Don't miss for families: Children will love joining Wilfrid The Seal on his Great Christmas Hunt trail, learning more about the story of Christmas.