The clocks have gone back, and in Brighton and Hove the light goes early. On 11 November the sun sets at about 4.19pm, and by the end of the month it's down before 4pm. That doesn't mean the walking has to stop; it just takes a bit more planning.
Here are five walks in and around the city that suit short winter days. The details come from the council, the National Trust and the bus operator, checked on 10 November 2026, but plans change, so check before you set off.
Plan around the daylight
Sunrise and sunset times for Brighton, from timeanddate.com:
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|
| 11 November | 7.09am | 4.19pm |
| 20 November | 7.24am | 4.07pm |
| 30 November | 7.39am | 3.58pm |
A simple rule is to be heading back by about 3pm, especially on the Downs, where there are no street lights and paths can be muddy. On the seafront there's more lighting, so it's easier to stay out a little later. If you'd like a reminder of how the clock change works, see our post on the clocks going back in Brighton & Hove.
1. The Undercliff Walk: Brighton Marina to Saltdean
Good for: a flat, paved walk with chalk cliffs on one side and the sea on the other.
According to Brighton & Hove City Council, the Undercliff Walk runs from behind Asda at Brighton Marina to the city boundary at Saltdean, and it's just over 5km long. Walkers and cyclists share it, so keep to one side.
There are ramps onto the path at several points, including the east end of Madeira Drive, opposite Roedean Café, at the south end of Rottingdean High Street and by Saltdean Lido, so you can walk one way and catch a bus back along the coast road.
Winter care: the council says waves sometimes come over the sea wall at high tide and in stormy weather, and falls of chalk and flint happen from time to time. Parts of the path are closed now and then if the cliffs become unstable. Check the council's page before you go, follow any closure signs and fencing, and keep away from the foot of the cliffs.
2. Hove seafront: the promenade west to Hove Lagoon
Good for: an easy, lit walk with no hills that you can make as long or short as you like.
The wide promenade runs west along Hove seafront past the beach huts towards Hove Lagoon. It's flat, there are benches and cafés along the way, and it's one of the few walks in the city that still works after sunset.
Winter care: the wind off the sea can be much colder than the forecast suggests, so take an extra layer. Shingle and steps get slippery in the wet.
3. Stanmer Park
Good for: woods, parkland and a historic village, with easy routes and longer ones.
The council describes Stanmer Park as the city's largest park and the gateway to the South Downs National Park. It's always open, though the Upper Lodges car park closes to the public at 5pm. There's Stanmer Village with its church and pond, Stanmer House, the restored Walled Garden (One Garden Brighton) and footpaths up onto the Downs.
Getting there: the council says the 25 bus runs frequently, seven days a week, to the Lower Lodges entrance, and the 23 also stops there. The Breeze 78 runs into the park to Stanmer Village seven days a week (except 25 December). Check the times on Brighton & Hove Buses before you go. Falmer station is a short walk from the Lower Lodges entrance. See the council's page on getting to Stanmer Park.
Winter care: the woodland paths turn muddy quickly after rain, so wear boots with some grip.
4. Devil's Dyke
Good for: big views over the Weald and a bit of history.
The National Trust says Devil's Dyke is about five miles north of Brighton, and that at nearly a mile long, the Dyke valley is the longest, deepest and widest dry valley in the UK. Around the hill you can see the ramparts of an Iron Age hill fort and what's left of a Victorian funfair, a few minutes from the car park.
Getting there: the council says the Breeze 77 bus runs between Brighton and Devil's Dyke every Saturday, Sunday and bank holiday (except 25 December), up to every 75 minutes. It doesn't run on weekdays. Check the times on Brighton & Hove Buses before you go, especially for the last bus back.
Winter care: it's exposed up here. The slopes into the valley are steep and can be slippery when wet, and mist can roll in fast.
5. Ditchling Beacon
Good for: the widest views of all, from the highest point in East Sussex.
The National Trust says Ditchling Beacon is 248 metres above sea level, the highest point in East Sussex, with views south to the sea and north across the Weald. The South Downs Way runs along the top, and the Trust says it's around 2½ miles from the Beacon to Blackcap, another of its sites. The council's Breeze leaflet also suggests a 2.8-mile walk from Ditchling Beacon down to Stanmer Park.
Getting there: the Breeze 79 runs from Old Steine and Brighton station to Ditchling Beacon at weekends and on bank holidays, with no weekday buses. Check the Breeze 79 timetable for current times. The National Trust car park gets very busy at weekends and has a charge for non-members.
Winter care: there's very little shelter on the ridge. Leave plenty of time to get back to the road before dusk.
What to take on a winter walk
- Layers and a windproof jacket. The coast and the Downs are both exposed.
- Boots or shoes with grip. Chalk paths are slippery when wet.
- A charged phone and a torch, in case you're out later than planned.
- Bus times saved offline. The Breeze 77 (Devil's Dyke) and 79 (Ditchling Beacon) run at weekends and on bank holidays only. The 78 to Stanmer Village runs seven days a week (except 25 December).
- A flask of something warm.
And please follow the Countryside Code: leave gates as you find them, keep dogs under control around livestock and take your litter home.
Make a day of it
Pair a morning walk with an afternoon in town. Our guides to things to do in Brighton & Hove in November 2026 and Christmas markets and events in Brighton & Hove have more ideas for the weeks ahead.
FAQ
What's the easiest winter walk in Brighton?
Hove seafront is flat, lit and has plenty of places to stop. The Undercliff Walk is also flat and paved, but check for closures first.
Can I get to the South Downs by bus in winter?
Yes. The Breeze 77 (Devil's Dyke) and 79 (Ditchling Beacon) run on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays. The Breeze 78 runs into Stanmer Village seven days a week (except 25 December). On weekdays the 25 and 23 buses also reach Stanmer Park's Lower Lodges entrance. Check the operator timetables before you go.
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