Wooded ridges, quiet farmland, and a gradual journey from London’s edge to the Sussex coast
The Vanguard Way is a long-distance self-guided walking route through the South East of England, linking routes, landscapes, and places between Croydon on London’s southern edge and the harbour town of Newhaven on the Sussex coast. Crossing Surrey and East Sussex, it traces a continuous line through farmland, woodland, heath, and low ridges before reaching the English Channel.
Walking here is defined by gentleness and continuity rather than effort. The terrain rises and falls gradually across fields, commons, and wooded slopes, with bridleways, farm tracks, and quiet lanes allowing steady progress at an unhurried pace. Navigation feels simple, and distances are shaped more by daily rhythm than by steep climbs or technical ground.
The character of the landscape changes gradually as the route moves south. Leaving the outskirts of London, the trail soon enters the chalk slopes and open countryside of the Surrey Hills National Landscape, before continuing into the greener, more enclosed valleys of the High Weald National Landscape. Woodland, hedgerows, and small farms create a sheltered, intimate feel, with villages appearing at natural intervals along the way.
Further south, the land begins to open again. Around Lewes, the route meets the River Ouse and wider valley views, before the final miles follow quieter paths toward Newhaven and the sea. The arrival at the coast feels like a natural conclusion — a steady transition from city fringe to open shoreline.
Unlike more exposed coastal or upland trails, the appeal of the Vanguard Way lies in its balance. It is a route shaped by everyday countryside, small settlements, and gradual change — a calm crossing of the South East from urban edge to open water.
Trail Overview
Distance
66 miles / 106 km
Typical time on foot
5–6 days
Start
Croydon, Greater London
Finish
Newhaven, East Sussex
Terrain
Farmland tracks, woodland paths, heathland, low ridges, village lanes, and coastal approaches
