Weald

The walks I have done encompass several National Landscapes. These used to be Areas of Natural Beauty but I guess that this is kind of subjective. Difficult to deny though, for the most part as they encompass the gills, woodlands, meadows and rare heaths. This area of Sussex, Surrey and Kent is known collectively as the Weald. Much of what is growing here or sticks up out of the ground, has to do with the underlying geology and here follows a little visual explanation:

A simplified geological diagram of the Wealden Dome as relating to Kent by ClemRutter CC BY-SA 3.0

 

Laid down in the Cretaceous, 130 million years ago, the wealden dome has been eroded, leaving the harder chalk and sandy ridges above the softer clays. Many of the walks take advantage of these hills and form part of long distance paths. The clay, as you might expect, can become tiresome for routes in the Winter but walk it also, you must.

Proximal to Burgess Hill is the South Downs National Park  but included are the Surrey Hills National Landscape, the High Weald National Landscape  and the Kent Downs National Landscape. This level of protection affords some roaming opportunities. Further paths exist within the in National and Local Nature Reserves and designated Country Parks, such as Seven Sisters Country Park. The National Trust, Wildlife Trusts and RSPB also provide possibilities.