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Healthy Wealden

Apart from the health and wellbeing ideas listed below, Wealden District Council also provides a Healthy Wealden website which you can view here:- https://www.healthywealden.co.uk/.

You can also follow the Healthy Wealden Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/HealthyWealden/ for updated health and wellbeing information, events, and campaigns across Wealden.

Move more and sit less

We all know that we need to be more active and need to spend less time sitting down. Sitting for long periods is thought to slow the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar and blood pressure, and to break down body fat.

Burning 3,500 calories is equivalent to losing about one pound of body fat. However, to lose a pound of fat, you have to burn 3,500 more calories than you eat. You can achieve this over a week by:

  • Burning 500 extra calories per day, while keeping your calorie intake constant
  • Maintaining your current activity level while reducing your food consumption by 500 calories per day

So, now is the time to take advantage of Uckfield’s green spaces. They are free and on your doorstep. We have some different suggestions here to help you #GetActiveInUckfield.

Always remember, if it has been a while since you have exercised and/or you have health issues or concerns, it is a good idea to talk to your doctor before starting a new exercise routine.

Photo of adults using the adult gym equipment Hempstead Lane Uckfield
Aerial photo of Uckfield High Street to show the perimeter walk

High Street Circuit

Get fit while you do your shopping!

Walking a circuit of the High Street from the Bell Lane junction up to the Hooke Hall bus stop (just past the Broadway) and back down again is just over 1km, or 1,500 steps.

This is the perfect way to #GetActiveInUckfield without even realising it. With all the wonderful shop windows to look at on your way around, you won’t even notice how far you have walked!

Luxford Field

Situated conveniently behind the main High Street and car park, Luxford Field is the ideal place for a short perimeter walk.

Why not try it out in your lunch break?

Walking two full circuits of Luxford Field in your lunchtime takes less than 10 minutes and covers just under 1km, or 1,500 steps. Do that Monday to Friday, and you will have walked 5km.

Aerial photo of Luxford field to show the perimeter walk
Aerial photo of Ridgewood Recreation Ground to show the perimeter walk

Ridgewood Recreation Ground

Located off New Road in the Ridgewood area of Uckfield, Ridgewood Recreation Ground offers plenty of opportunities to increase your activity levels in beautiful surroundings.

The perimeter walk around the main field is just over 550 metres long, which will be around 750 steps for the average strider. Walking at around 4mph, two full circuits of Ridgewood Recreation Ground could be completed in just under 15 minutes. This would cover just over 1km, or 1500 steps for those of you using step counters.

Beyond the main field is the Uckfield Millennium Green, which provides further spaces to explore. This area is run by a local charitable trust and more details can be found on their website, uckfieldmillenniumgreen.co.uk/.

Victoria Pleasure Ground

Victoria Pleasure Ground is situated behind New Town and is accessed via Old Timbers Lane.

It is a large green space with plenty of parking available.

Several walks can be undertaken here. If you walk Circuit 1 (red line on the map opposite) you will walk approximately 650 metres, or 850 steps. The advantage of this walk is that there is a concrete path around the perimeter which can be walked in all weathers and is good for pushchairs.

If you are feeling really energetic, then extend your walk to cover Circuit 2 (yellow line on the map opposite). Completing this circuit will mean you have walked about 1.5km or 2000 steps. Think of all the calories you could burn doing that one!

Aerial photo of Victoria Pleasure Ground to show the perimeter walks
Aerial photo of West Park Recreation ground to show the perimeter walk

West Park Recreation Ground

Accessed via Batchelor Way and Markland Way off the B2102, West Park Recreation Ground is another popular green space in Uckfield.

The perimeter walk around the two football pitches is 700 metres long, or just under 1,000 steps.

Useful Links

There are many apps available for smart phones or tablet devices that can help record your steps and calories burned. Why not take a look on your app store to find out more!

East Sussex County Council circular walks – provides printable leaflets of circular walks in East Sussex ranging from 1 – 9 miles. There are over 35 walks to choose from covering all of East Sussex.

All Trails – a directory of countless walks and trails across the UK, which can be filtered by location.

Wealden Walks – lists 34 downloadable Wealden Walks in total varying from 2 to 12 miles in length, with at least one passing through every parish.

Using over 150 miles of the existing public rights of way network, the walks provide a means of viewing and understanding Wealden’s natural and historic landscapes. The comes with step-by-step guides, references to local history, and suggest several points of local interest.

Wealden Guided Walks – led by Graham Kean, groups gather for various walks throughout Wealden, mostly in summer. Through Graham’s excellent blog, you can read about previous walks or join in on upcoming ones.

East Sussex Health Walks – a group which runs several walks across the county, and who meet every Wednesday for walks on Ashdown Forest.

The routes are generally easy and last no more than one hour, although uneven terrain and mud can be expected. The meeting points for each walk are listed on their website.

Ramblers – offer a large collection of self-guided walking trails and group walks across the UK.

NHS Walking for Health – with lots of useful advice on walking for health.

Walking in England – provides free downloadable walks around the Uckfield area (and over Sussex).

photo of a pair of feet and autumn leaves

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