South East England

Chalk Hills, Woodlands, Coastlines, and Historic Routes

From the chalk escarpments of the North and South Downs to ancient woodland, river valleys, and the coastline of Kent and East Sussex and West Sussex, South East England contains a diverse network of routes, landscapes, and places shaped by geology, history, and centuries of movement through the land. Trails such as the South Downs Way, 1066 Country Walk, Thames Path, and Pilgrims' Way reveal many of these environments, while landscapes including the South Downs National Park, Kent Downs National Landscape, Chilterns National Landscape, and Surrey Hills National Landscape showcase some of the region's most distinctive natural environments.

Long-distance routes pass through chalk hills, woodland, farmland, river corridors, historic settlements, and coastal landscapes, linking places that have shaped the character of the region for centuries. Together, these routes and landscapes reveal the diversity of South East England while providing opportunities to explore at a slower pace through self-guided travel and independent exploration.