30 June 2026 – immediate release
Free walking festival runs from Saturday 12 to Sunday 20 September 2026, with guided and self-guided walks celebrating the landscape, wildlife and history of the High Weald.
Explore the South East’s newest nature reserve, follow in the footsteps of prehistoric hunter-gatherers and discover hidden corners of one of England’s finest National Landscapes as the High Weald Walking Festival returns this September.
Now in its ninth year, the High Weald Walking Festival runs from Saturday 12 to Sunday 20 September and offers around 100 free guided and self-guided walks across the stunning High Weald National Landscape.
Whether you fancy a gentle stroll, want to discover new routes with knowledgeable guides or are looking to challenge yourself with a long-distance hike, there’s a walk for everyone.
With more than 2,500km of public rights of way, the High Weald is one of the finest walking landscapes in the South East. Ancient woodland, hidden gill streams, historic routeways, rolling farmland and picture-postcard villages combine to create a landscape where every walk tells a different story.
This year’s festival highlights will include:
- Explore the South East’s newest nature reserve at Ironhurst Valley with the Kent Wildlife Trust team.
- Step back 8,000 years as archaeologists reveal the secrets of prehistoric hunter-gatherers in the High Weald.
- Reconnect with others and with nature on gentle wellbeing walks led by an ecotherapist on Ashdown Forest.
- Celebrate Walk the Forest Day with a choice of guided walks across Ashdown Forest on Sunday 20 September.
The full programme will be published on Wednesday 12 August. Visit www.highwealdwalks.org to sign up to the mailing list and receive the latest updates. Most of the walks are free and run on a ‘turn up on the day’ basis, but some will require booking via the website.
Festival organiser Lucy Bowyer said: “We have some cracking walks lined up for this year’s festival. It’s a fantastic opportunity to discover places you might never otherwise visit, hear from people who know the landscape inside out and experience the incredible wildlife, history and beauty of the High Weald. Whether you’re an experienced walker or simply looking for a reason to get outdoors, we’d love to see you there.”
The festival is a collaboration between the High Weald National Landscape team and branches of the Ramblers Association and brings together a wide range of partners, including Forestry England, RSPB, Kent Wildlife Trust, Kent High Weald Partnership, Ashdown Forest Conservators, William Robinson Gravetye charity, Wadhurst Park and many others.
