From the city of Chichester with its ancient walls and harbour inlets standing sentinel over the English Channel to the northern heights of Black Down on its ridge of greensand above the folds, farms and villages of the western Weald, West Sussex has a wealth of history and fine countryside to discover. The bustling towns of Crawley and Horsham in the lee of the chalky South Downs and the traditional seaside resorts of Littlehampton and Worthing make great bases for walkers.

The 40 circular walks in this guide offer plenty of scope to explore the region’s famed downs, woods, heaths and nature reserves along with its charming villages, fine stately homes and verdant country estates.