Walking the Western Weald

Where is the Western Weald?

The Western Weald is just an hour from London, yet few know of this area’s quiet beauty and remarkable natural variety.

Nestled beneath the South Downs, this hidden corner of the National Park, unfolds in waves of wooded hills, clay vales and sandy heaths, interwoven with swift brooks, spring-line villages and time-worn holloways. It is the perfect setting for a walking adventure with Rural Strides.
Western weald Rural Strides Image by Rachel Hudson Illustration

Where is the Western Weald?

The Western Weald is just an hour from London, yet few know of this area’s quiet beauty and remarkable natural variety.

Nestled beneath the South Downs, this hidden corner of the National Park, unfolds in waves of wooded hills, clay vales and sandy heaths, interwoven with swift brooks, spring-line villages and time-worn holloways. It is the perfect setting for a walking adventure with Rural Strides.

Image by Rachel Husdon Illustration

Back in the 1820s, journalist and political reformer William Cobbett rode through this area for the first time, enroute to Headley in Surrey. In his book, Rural Rides, he wrote of his journey through the Hampshire Hangers:

“… out we came, all in a moment, at the very edge of the hanger! And never, in all my life, was I so surprised and so delighted! I pulled up my horse, and sat and looked; and it was like looking from the top of a castle down into the sea….Thus ended the most interesting day, as far as I know, that I ever passed in all my life. Hawkley hangers, promontories, and stone-roads will always come into my mind when I see, or hear of, picturesque views.”

Sitting atop Wheatham Hill (the site of Cobbett’s Viewpoint) one beautiful summer’s evening during lockdown 2020, surveying Hawkley ahead and Selbourne in the distance, it was difficult to find fault with this description. A stroll or ride in this part of the world is the perfect tonic for body and mind.

Western weald Rural Strides Image by Rachel Husdon Illustration

Whether you are a walker or wanderer, I warrant that a visit to the Western Weald will be worthwhile!

Walk with us

With private and scheduled guided walks, as well as self-guided routes, Rural Strides offers a Western Weald journey for everyone. Seek inspiration from our blog posts, choose a planned walk below, or request a private guided walk….the choice is yours.

Western Weald Rural Strides
Western weald Rural Strides Sheep
Western weald Rural Strides lane
Western weald Rural Strides field
Western weald Rural Strides sunset view
Vineyard Rural Strides

See our great reviews

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Clarissa Troop profile picture
Clarissa Troop
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Malinka has a deep love for walking and great knowledge and love in particular for the Western Weald. I have been on many differently themed walks with her and they are always interesting and often magical too. I have learned a lot about the countryside around which I live because of her and I am very grateful!
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Sue Webber profile picture
Sue Webber
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Wonderful walks with a great guide.
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Nicola Godin profile picture
Nicola Godin
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We walked the Petworth Way in the glorious sunshine and it was stunning, very peaceful, beautiful views, and varied terrain. Malinka had been extremely helpful with our questions before we went and we followed the OS App easily with the written instructions highlighting sites of scientific interest. Our dog enjoyed all the rivers and streams to cool down in and we stayed in a lovely pub overnight in Petworth, The Welldiggers Arms, getting the bus back to Petworth in the morning. Thank you RS 😊
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Jan T profile picture
Jan T
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I've done a few walks with Rural Strides now. Malinka is very knowledgeable, a good organiser, and offers a variety of really interesting walks. I'm really happy to have found her!
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Katrina Evershed profile picture
Katrina Evershed
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had a really lovely day on a private walk for me and my dad with Malinka. she was informative without bombarding us with information and tailored the experience and walking pace to suit us. she also made the booking process easy, accommodating my requests to suggest a route that worked for all of us with genuine care and attention.
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Trudy Robertson profile picture
Trudy Robertson
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A very informative and really enjoyable afternoon with Malinka and 2 other ladies revising our long lost map reading ( and map understanding ) skills. The most patient and exceptionally knowledgable teacher, Malinka talked us through a very methodical approach to map reading as well as imparting some excellent tips and guidance. Off we then went with Malinka ( for about 4 and a bit miles) to practice and expand on what we we had been taught. If you’re a little rusty or just want to practice your map reading skills, book yourself on this walk, you’ll be a much more confident navigator by the end of it!
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Carol Stupple profile picture
Carol Stupple
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Such a worthwhile walk around East Meon with Malinka, learning some basic navigation skills as we walked . Small group . Lots of tips on finding where you are in the landscape , and what to look out for when navigating with a map. Would highly recommend .
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Little V profile picture
Little V
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I was delighted to join the Lost and Found walk with Malinka. A very enjoyable day starting with an outline of the day, laminated maps for our adventure and setting off in small stages to navigate between points. My eyes have been opened to a printed map and I learnt so much more than I knew at the outset. I would thoroughly recommend joining this for an interesting educational walk and always lots of knowledge from our guide. Thanks Malinka
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Kate Lloyd Jones profile picture
Kate Lloyd Jones
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A really useful, informative and enjoyable experience - I now feel I have the knowledge and confidence to navigate using a map and my surroundings. Thank you Malinka!
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A West profile picture
A West
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A fun, informative and interesting morning learning navigation techniques in a beautiful countryside setting. Malinka is very friendly, knowledgeable and encouraging. The group atmosphere was happy and relaxed. This was my first walk with Rural Strides and I will definitely do more!