Sarra Gray
Guest Reporter
Outdoor experts have revealed England's top pub walks for winter, offering the perfect combination of scenic trails and cosy refreshment stops for the new year.
The Seven Sisters and Friston Forest Circular in East Sussex has claimed the top spot, earning an impressive 4.8 out of 5 rating based on over 1,000 reviews.
The rankings, by Millets, focus on accessible, routes that feature pubs along the way, with each walk scored according to ratings, number of reviews, and family-friendly features.
From coastal paths to forest trails, these carefully selected routes provide ideal winter walking opportunities across England's most picturesque landscapes.
The Seven Sisters and Friston Forest Circular spans 12.7km and takes approximately three hours and 32 minutes to complete. The route combines dramatic cliffside views with serene forest trails, offering walkers a diverse landscape to explore.
A National Trust café provides a welcome rest stop along the way. For those seeking traditional pub refreshments, the route offers several options including The Tiger Inn in East Dean, The Selsey Arms in West Dean, and The Cuckmere Inn in Exceat.
The walk's high family-friendly score of 9.84 out of 10 makes it an ideal choice for groups with children.
Taking second place, the Seaford to Eastbourne route offers a more challenging walk stretching 21.7km with a duration of five hours and 30 minutes.
The trail rewards walkers with spectacular views of white cliffs, green grasslands, and the English Channel. Highlights include swimming beaches, lighthouses, and Cuckmere Haven.
The walk begins in Seaford's centre, where walkers can visit the Old Plough or The Wellington Pub and Bed & Breakfast.
The route concludes in Eastbourne near The London & County - JD Wetherspoon, perfect for post-walk refreshments. With a rating of 4.8 out of 5 and a family-friendly score of 9.8, it's among England's finest coastal walks.
Top 10 list of England's winter pub walks
Author and outdoor enthusiast at Millets, Natalie Byrne said: "As we are firmly in the winter season, many will be wanting to stay warm and cosy indoors. However, a walk is a great way to get all the family together and moving.
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"To allow the whole family to get involved, it is a great idea to choose a route that is accessible to both wheelchairs and prams.
"It is also recommended that you check the difficulty of your walking route as well as the estimated time that it will take for the whole family to walk it. Of course, if you have any younger children or any slower walkers, allow for extra time to stop on your walk.
“Packing the correct equipment can make all the difference between a good walk and a difficult walk. I recommend a sturdy pair of walking boots that will support your ankles and be comfortable on longer walks.
"It is also a good idea to pack some waterproof clothing for the family. This is very important as the temperatures are much colder and the weather can change quickly. Make sure to bring layers and warm accessories, as no one wants to sit post-walk in the pub in wet clothes or feeling cold.”
Find Out More...
The Seven Sisters and Friston Forest Circular in East Sussex has claimed the top spot, earning an impressive 4.8 out of 5 rating based on over 1,000 reviews.
The rankings, by Millets, focus on accessible, routes that feature pubs along the way, with each walk scored according to ratings, number of reviews, and family-friendly features.
From coastal paths to forest trails, these carefully selected routes provide ideal winter walking opportunities across England's most picturesque landscapes.
The Seven Sisters and Friston Forest Circular spans 12.7km and takes approximately three hours and 32 minutes to complete. The route combines dramatic cliffside views with serene forest trails, offering walkers a diverse landscape to explore.
A National Trust café provides a welcome rest stop along the way. For those seeking traditional pub refreshments, the route offers several options including The Tiger Inn in East Dean, The Selsey Arms in West Dean, and The Cuckmere Inn in Exceat.
The walk's high family-friendly score of 9.84 out of 10 makes it an ideal choice for groups with children.
Taking second place, the Seaford to Eastbourne route offers a more challenging walk stretching 21.7km with a duration of five hours and 30 minutes.
The trail rewards walkers with spectacular views of white cliffs, green grasslands, and the English Channel. Highlights include swimming beaches, lighthouses, and Cuckmere Haven.
The walk begins in Seaford's centre, where walkers can visit the Old Plough or The Wellington Pub and Bed & Breakfast.
The route concludes in Eastbourne near The London & County - JD Wetherspoon, perfect for post-walk refreshments. With a rating of 4.8 out of 5 and a family-friendly score of 9.8, it's among England's finest coastal walks.
Top 10 list of England's winter pub walks
- Seven Sisters and Friston Forest Circular (Hampshire, West Sussex and East) - 4.8/5
- Seaford to Eastbourne (South Downs National Park) - 4.8/5
- Mam Tor and The Great Ridge via Elbow Ridge (Peak District National Park) - 4.7/5
- Brockenhurst and the Tall Trees Trail Circular (New Forest National Park) - 4.7/5
- Buttermere Circular (Lake District National Park) - 4.7/5
- Ambleside and Troutbeck Walk (Lake District National Park) - 4.7/5
- Whiteleaf and Chequers Circular (Chiltern Hills National Landscape) - 4.7/5
- Skelwith Force, Colwith Force and Cathedral Quarry Circular (Lake District National Park) - 4.7/5
- Coln Saint Aldwyns and Bibury Circular (Cotswolds National Landscape) - 4.7/5
- The Switzerland of Yorkshire Circular (West Yorkshire) - 4.7/5
Author and outdoor enthusiast at Millets, Natalie Byrne said: "As we are firmly in the winter season, many will be wanting to stay warm and cosy indoors. However, a walk is a great way to get all the family together and moving.
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"To allow the whole family to get involved, it is a great idea to choose a route that is accessible to both wheelchairs and prams.
"It is also recommended that you check the difficulty of your walking route as well as the estimated time that it will take for the whole family to walk it. Of course, if you have any younger children or any slower walkers, allow for extra time to stop on your walk.
“Packing the correct equipment can make all the difference between a good walk and a difficult walk. I recommend a sturdy pair of walking boots that will support your ankles and be comfortable on longer walks.
"It is also a good idea to pack some waterproof clothing for the family. This is very important as the temperatures are much colder and the weather can change quickly. Make sure to bring layers and warm accessories, as no one wants to sit post-walk in the pub in wet clothes or feeling cold.”
Find Out More...