A stroll in the beautiful English countryside is healthy for the body, the mind, and the spirit. There are many paths to explore in the city of London, but if you're looking for something more rural, a hike that will make you feel like you're in the middle of nowhere rather than only a few blocks from a bus stop, then go no further than the beautiful countryside beyond Zone 6.

Lace up your hiking boots and set out on one of these charming rural walks near London, ranging from a beach stroll along the white cliffs of Seven Sisters to a meander through the valleys of Box Hill with spectacular vistas. Also, if you're feeling parched, why include a visit to one of these fantastic pub gardens on your itinerary?

West Sussex's Cissbury Ring & Chanctonbury Ring Circuit

Iron Age hill forts Cissbury Ring and Chanctonbury Ring are located where the chalky undulations of a South Downs rise from the sandy Sussex coast. From the parking area near the A24, hikers may easily make a circle that includes a charge of the ramparts. They need only ascend the grassy slopes of Cissbury, from where they will get a magnificent view of the Brighton skyline and the ships in the Solent. The South Downs Way comes in from the west and intersects the country lanes to the north as they go up to Chanctonbury Ring. The paranormal and extraterrestrial craft have been linked to this forested hilltop; therefore, it's advisable to return to Cissbury as quickly as possible by taking a counterclockwise path to the west. After your hike, stop at the Black Horse in neighboring Findon for a refreshing beverage.

County of Kent's Ightham Mote & Knole Circuit

The National Trust's most cherished properties are Ightham Mote and Knole, respectively, a 14th-century manor house surrounded by a shimmering moat and an archbishop's palace in the heavenly seclusion of a deer park. Both may be reached after a day of walking through the Weald. Trails head west from Ightham, going beneath the wooded lookout at One Tree Hill and eventually getting to Knole Park via the Greensand Way. In and of itself, Knole is worthy of a few hours of your time. Put on your walking shoes and discover the majestic Jacobean interiors, the walled garden, and the sites where The Beatles shot the music videos for "Penny Lane" and "Strawberry Fields Forever." Take the meandering route back to Ightham in the north via the Knole Park golf course and the shady orchards.

Walking the River Trail from Henley to Marlow in Berkshire and Buckinghamshire

Between London and Reading, the Thames widens and meanders around gentle curves, surrounded by aristocratic mansions and dotted with islands covered with lush vegetation. The 185-mile-long Thames Walk parallels the river and can be accessed from some train stations, although the section between Henley to Marlow is often considered the most picturesqueThe Hand and Flowers in Marlow, a culinary mecca with two Michelin stars, is one of the country's most renowned watering holes and is the perfect spot to raise a glass in celebration of the successful completion of your voyage.

The East Sussex Seven Sisters Coastal Path, from Seaford to Eastbourne

Those ready for the challenge will be rewarded with some of the most breathtaking vistas of the British coastline. The path begins in the sleepy fishing village of Seaford. It continues over the grassy top of the Seven Sisters, past the candy-cane lighthouse at Beachy Head, the series of undulating white cliffs, and on to the classic British beach resort of Eastbourne. Have a traditional pub meal at the Cuckmere Inn or pack a nutritious picnic for the road there; reserve the indulgence for crispy fried delicacies at Qualisea Fish Restaurant, a well-deserved post-walk pleasure best consumed on the waterfront.

Oak Path in Essex's Epping Forest

Epping Forest, one of London's largest green areas at 6,000 acres, is conveniently located on the city's outskirts, making it a great day trip destination. Lakes, fallow or Muntjac deer, toads and English Longhorn cows that feed and preserve the property may all be found inside its old woodlands. The Oak Trail is a flat, circular path that leads through various forests and farmland. It goes via a sanctuary that protects a herd of endangered black fallow deer. One of the top bicycle routes in London is conveniently located nearby, making travel time more manageable.