Sussex Hospices Trail: Crowhurst to Etchingham - Historic & Scenic (~21km)

📈 Grade: 🥾🥾🥾Level 3.5/5 Medium-Difficult

SUMMARY:
Starting from Crowhurst, this path follows the Sussex Hospices Trail into the stunning countryside, passing through woodlands, historic sites and scenic views. There are no toilets at the start or end of the walk. We stop for a toilet break in Battle. Lunch will be at a nature spot. We conclude at the Etchingham Train Station.
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ABOUT:
🥾 ~21km | Point-to-Point Walk |
📈Elevation gain: ~570m | Duration: ~6 hours
📍 Start: Crowhurst Train Station at 10:17
🚆 For trains and group/discounted tickets from London, please see below.
🏁 Finish: Etchingham Train Station, approx. 16:30-17:30
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⚠️ TERRAIN:
Oak forests, woods, fields, uneven grounds. We might need to cross roads and walk along a road for 10-15 minutes as part of the route. So please stay with the group on one side and be aware of the cars. There might be cattle in the fields.
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DESCRIPTION:
Come join us on one or all sections of the Sussex Hospices Trail (Crowhurst to Etchingham), a 200-mile walking route that supports and raises awareness of the 13 hospice care providers serving adults and children in Sussex. The hospices of Sussex provide specialist end-of-life care. Friends of Sussex Hospices has worked with partners and supporters to create the Sussex Hospices Trail. For more information, to join their mailing list, to find events, and to make donations, visit Friends of Sussex Hospices (https://www.friendsofsussexhospices.org.uk/).
This varied path takes us through woods, fields, and oak forests.
We will make several short stops to regroup, take pictures, and enjoy the breathtaking views.
There are no toilets at the start (Crowhurst Station) or at the end of the walk (Etchingham). We stop for a toilet break in Battle and then for lunch at a nature site on the way, so please bring a seating mat and a packed lunch. We finish our hike at Etchingham Train Station.
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🌟 HIGHLIGHTS:

• Sussex Hospices Trail (part 12: Crowhurst to Battle; part 13: Battle to Robertsbridge; part 14: Robertsbridge to Etchingham)
• Some parts of the 1066 country walk
  Crowhurst Manor House
• Fore Wood RSPB Nature Reserve
• Stumblet's Wood
• Battle
• Battle Abbey
• Village of Mountfield
• Scenic views of oak trees, fields, the wooded valley of the River Rother and High Weald

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🚂 TRAINS from London

• Ticket: Return from London Bridge → Crowhurst.
  Take the 08:54 Service from London Bridge, arriving in Crowhurst at 10:17, duration: 1h 23m (ticket: £21.15 on 23.06.2026 with Network Railcard)

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📍 MEETING POINT AND TIME:
Walk starts: 10:17 sharp from Crowhurst Train Station
Walk finishes: Approx. 16:30 to 17:30 at Etchingham Train Station.
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⚠️ TERRAIN, CONDITIONS AND DIFFICULTY:
Total distance: approx. ~21km (~13miles)
Elevation gain: ~570m
Grade: Moderate to Difficult
Pace: Approx. 4.5km/h (~3mph)
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Riddle me:
Question: Two people have 100 in total. One has 40 more than the other. How much does each have?
🍫🍫🍫If you know the answer, come tell me, and you will get a chocolate. Chocolate will be given to the first three people who come and give me the answer.
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🎒WHAT TO BRING:
- Packed lunch, snacks, and sufficient water
- Sun protection and hat
- Proper hiking gear.
- Weather-appropriate layers and proper waterproofs
- Fully charged phone
- Personal medication and basic first aid
- Trekking poles recommended for slippery/steep ascents and descents
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📋 RSVP POLICY:
RSVP only if you plan to attend. If you can no longer make it, please update your RSVP as early as possible so others may join and organisers can plan fairly and safely. Repeated no-shows without prior notice may result in removal from the group or restrictions on future attendance.
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✅ WHO CAN JOIN
Adults aged 21 and over
No children
No pets
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👣 GROUP PACE & PARTICIPATION GUIDELINES
This is a friendly, social hike where we walk together and enjoy the experience as a group.
Please stay with the group rather than walking ahead independently, as the aim is to connect, share the journey, and help maintain safety and group cohesion.
Participants should choose events suitable for their fitness level and be able to maintain the advertised pace. The overall pace and schedule will not be adjusted for individuals.
A back marker may not always be present, so participants should keep others in sight and remain within a reasonable distance of the group.
To help keep the group together:

• Faster walkers should wait at junctions.
• If someone ahead is moving significantly slower, feel free to pass and remain with the main group.
• Organisers may pause at suitable points to regroup.

While reasonable efforts will be made to keep the group together, it is not practical or safe to stop frequently for individuals who are unable to maintain the required pace. In such cases, participants may need to continue at their own pace or make their own onward arrangements.
If you choose to move ahead of the group, fall significantly behind, or leave the group structure, you will be considered to be continuing independently and responsible for your own route, decisions, and safety. If you do so without informing an organiser, it will be assumed that you are managing independently.
By attending, you agree to follow these guidelines.
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CONTACT:
Message the event host, Saeideh, directly via Meetup with any questions.
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⚠️ DISCLAIMER
By joining, you confirm that you have read and accepted the group policy on the About page. You are responsible for your own safety. Neither the host nor the group can be held liable for injury, loss, or damage.