My favourite Wheelchair Accessible and Pushchair Walks in and around East and West Sussex
I love living in a city full of live music and quirky shops, but there’s something quite nice about escaping to the countryside when life feels hectic. Recently I’ve been taking time to slow down and enjoy nature a little more, from seaside strolls to stepping out into the South Downs- Brighton really has it all.
As a disabled person often getting out and about or staying away from home can be challenging- whether that’s managing extra care needs, health episodes or accessibility, so knowing there are so many wonderful places here in Sussex I can visit in my van and not be too far from home is truly magical!
Here are some of my fave wheelchair accessible walks if you’re ever down South and fancy a wander or a wheel!
Stanmer PArk
The South Downs National Park is home to the largest wooded area in England. Delve into the accessible countryside designed with families in mind, including Changing Places facilities and flat paths throughout. If you happen to be visiting at the right time of year you may even come across ‘The Great Wood’ known by locals as ‘Blue Bell Woods’.
Stroll through Stanmer Park while being immersed in nature. Explore inside the walled gardens designed by Dominic Cole (known for his work with Eden Project), see unusual and exotic plants and a locally sourced food market all in the home of Stanmer Park.
From spotting horses, sheep and cows grazing in farmers’ fields to stumbling across audio winders with stories recollected of the park during the Second World War. Explore or simply sit and listen while your dog sniffs through nature or your grandchildren giggle as they enjoy being outdoors. There really is something for everyone.
Location: Stanmer Park Nature Reserve, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9RG
What Three Words: ///descended.cases.torn
Where to park:
Although there is an accessibility guide (linked below!) here’s what I have found works best for me
Lower Lodges car park west - South Entrance, BN1 9QA, //raft.organ.lively: (By the children’s playground)
Chalk Hill car park - Stanmer, BN1 9PZ, //hits.sugar.send: (To access the trails to the woods)
Patchway car park - Stanmer Park Road, BN1 9PZ, //locker.scans.shots: (for access to One Garden, Tea Rooms, Stanmer Village)
Toilet/ Changing Places Facilities:
Opposite Stanmer Tea Rooms in the village (would avoid this if you’re a wheelchair user)
At the Circa in the Park kiosk at the Lower Lodges entrance
Within One Garden Brighton - (my personal preference) Changing Places available.
The Estate
Visit the Georgian Manor House for an afternoon bite to eat and find yourself appalled as you watch your friend begin to layer thick strawberry jam on to her scone before the clotted cream. (I’m a cream then jam kind of lady for those wondering).
The Tea Rooms
If you prefer to sit outside and be surrounded by wildlife, pop into Stanmer tea rooms and have a hearty Jacket Potato or what locals claim to be some of the best cheesy chips in Brighton. (Note the ramp may not be suitable for all wheelchair users but it’s lovely to sit outside in the summer)
One Garden
It’s also worth visiting is the One Garden, a restored walled garden which features a market with carefully curated produce from local independents suppliers, and a cafe that utilises ingredients from the kitchen garden.
The site has six designated car parks, with free parking for Blue Badge holders, I have highlighted my preference below, as it can be a little confusing. There are disabled toilets within the Walled Garden, at the small tea and coffee kiosk at the Lower Lodges entrance.
Accessibility notes:
For more details on accessibility and parking see below:
Centenary Park Peacehaven ‘The Big Park’
‘The Big Park’ is a new find for me and oh my goodness have I been missing out! It’s a newer man made park so it’s super accessible with everything from free disabled parking to Changing Places facilities while also it’s also in amongst hills so it doesn’t feel so manufactured.
Location:Piddinghoe Ave, Peacehaven BN10 8RH
What Three Words: //unique.dampen.blackouts
Where to Park: Free Car Park with blue badge parking. Height Restriction of 2.1m.
Toilet/ Changing Places Facilities: Accessible Toilets and Changing Places
Accessibility notes: Changing Places Facilities, Flat paths throughout, Wheelchair accessible cafe, paths throughout childrens play area, mulitple caccessible entrances.
St Anns Well Park
St Ann’s Wells is a lovely community park with a lively cafe offering a great range of food and drink.
It’s super family friendly and has a whole range of activities including a book swap corner, tennis courts, designated fenced off areas and of course St Ann’s Well!
St Anns Well community cares about it’s wildlife. Nature conservation is important in the park, and it is a great place to hear a variety of birds tweeting their bird songs. If you are wanting to hear bird songs then you will find numerous blackbirds, robins and wrens.
There's a wide range of native and exotic trees giving the gardens their unique character and providing shelter and tranquillity for wildlife.
Location: St Ann’s Well Gardens, Somerhill Rd, Hove BN3
What Three Words: //email.basket.fully
Where to park: Unfortunately being a City Park, St Ann’s Wells doesn’t have a designated car park but there are plenty of designated blue badge parking bays on Somerhill Road, Furze Hill and Nizells Avenue as well as on street pay and display.
Toilet/ Changing Places Facilities: I found the Accessible toilet to be a little unhygienic but I was really pleased to see a Brand New Changing Places facility in place. ‘Friends of St Ann’s Well’ assured me that although it is currently locked, they are working with the council to implement a radar system (November 2024)
Accessibility notes: There are wonderful Changing Places Facilities, and a path which goes around the entire park, but watch out as some slopes can be steep and uneven. There are a wide range of seating options in the cafe, however you may want to approach the cafe door backwards if you are a wheelchair user, as there is a little bit of a lip over the front door.
Hove Park
Hove Park is a great area to let your dog run off lead. With open grass, a children’s playground, sculptures and lots of other local dog walkers around. Hove Park is very popular with local residents.
There is an excellent choice of sporting facilities at the park including several table tennis tables, an outdoor gym, seven tennis courts, a football pitch and more!
Location: Goldstone Crescent, BN3 6BG
What Three Words: //cheese.flank.almost
Parking: On street pay and display parking
Toilet/ Changing Places Facilities: Toilet block (w accessible toilets) by Hove Park Cafe
Accessibility notes: Cafe. Accessible pathways run throughout the park. It is well lit at night unlike other parks in Brighton. Some areas of the park have slightly steep slopes, but there are always alternative routes available. There are also many benches throughout the park.
Woodingdean Sunflower Fields
Is there anything more peaceful than a pretty field of flowers? (Just don’t forget to take your hayfever tablets!) In the top end of Woodingdean, by Castle Hill Nature Reserve, at the right time of year, discover a field full with sunflowers, on a bright sunny day they’ll be standing tall as they follow the sun sunshine down over the local area.
Location: Sea View Way, Brighton and Hove BN2 6NT
What Three Words: //named.roadmap.destiny
Where to park: Free at Castle Hill Nature Reserve car park
Free on street parking along Warren Avenue ///fitter.faced.sprinter
Small free car park adjacent to Greentrees Junior School, Saunders Avenue, Riverdown Park SP1 3PG (//clasps.showering.decorate),
Small free car park Ford Road SP1 3RZ (//slice.venue.summaries) this car park has a height restriction of 1.9m.
No toilets or facilities- rural.
Accessibility information: Although you cannot walk into the field itself you are able to walk on a flat walkway which extends down past a few fields, some had horses in, where you can see down into Brighton.
The road comes out not far from the Brighton race course and if you venture off in the opposite direction, you will eventually meet the South Downs way path. (This track begins to become bumpy and difficult to wheel.)
Cuckmere Haven
Nestled in the Sussex Countryside lies the beautiful valley of Cuckmere, meander along the river paths and take in the sights of chalky cliffs and see animals grazing. Surrounded by the East Sussex Wildlife, the walk bends towards the sounds of waves- until you arrive where the river meets the sea.
If you’d prefer to take to the river by water, there are plenty of accessible options to do so through Buzz Active. Get in touch before you head down for a visit to Seven Sisters National Park with options to hire all terrain mobility scooters, accessible canoes and kayaks with buzz active.
Location: Seven Sisters National Park, Seaford, BN25 4AR
What Three Words: //flop.germinate.fortunate
Where to park: Paid parking via an app or with coins or card- note it gets extremely busy in peak seasons.
North Carpark: //stiletto.endings.crew
South Carpark: //acoustics.affords.followers
Toilet/ Changing Places Facilities: Public toilets & Changing Places facilities located next to Seven Sisters Visitor Centre - note it is up a steep hill.
Accessibility notes: Buzz Active! It’s important to note the beach at the end is large pebbles so isn’t suitable for most wheelchair users. Despite accessibility guide- there are flat paths for most of the way but the beginning is a little bumpy! Two mobility scooters are available to use in the park, they can be booked for a 10am-12pm slot or a 1pm-3pm slot. These are available to hire in the Visitor Centre, or alternatively call the visitors centre on 01323 364690 between 10am and 4pm. They are completely free to use but a donation is appreciated to maintain the scooters for other people to enjoy. However, you must be aged 14 years or older and you also need to bring ID.
South Downs’ Miles without Stiles
Miles Without Stiles are routes that are suitable for people with limited mobility, including Wheelchair users, families with pushchairs, and those not able to walk as far. There are currently 6 walking routes.
Having tested all these routes as a wheelchair user with a fairly rowbust chair and an off- road front wheel. I wouldn’t personally say all of these are accessible to wheelchair users however, there are definitely ways to do parts of them! Let me know if you’d like me to do a little post where I access them all.
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