When riding the South Downs Way, you may wish to stop over at a horse-friendly B&B or find a livery yard for the evening. The South Downs Way passes through the South Downs National Park, a beautiful area. We really liked this B&B. Thanks for sharing! I also enjoyed spending a night in Eastbourne after finishing my walk. The South Downs Way is a long-distance footpath that winds its way from historic Winchester to Eastbourne in Sussex. In this guide I cover everything you need to know to do the hike yourself from details on camping and accommodation options, wild camping choices, costs, what you need to pack, food, top tips and the best South Downs Way route planners. Every time I did so, I felt exceptionally safe. "The reason many people in our society are miserable, sick, and highly stressed is because of an unhealthy attachment to things they have no control over.". The South Downs is a national park in South East England. Some great tips here for walking the South Downs Way. Well, kind of but not really. Ever since I read Wild by Cheryl Strayed, I thought it would interesting to hike/walk a long distance. There are no facilities. The pubs we stayed in offered a packed lunch option, so if we knew there wouldnt be any lunch stops on the following day, wed get one to go. We had two challenging walks, where we racked up 20 and 22 miles, but the rest of our mileage felt comfortable. In fact, due to the low-lying land surrounding the hillside, the horizon seems to go on for miles. Using the Plan Your Visit tool on the National Trail website you are able to locate accommodation offering stabling along the South Downs Way under the Equestrian Information tab. East Meon to South Harting: 12.5 miles/20 km, South Harting to Amberley: 20 miles/32 km, Steyning to Kingston-near-Lewes: 22 miles/35 km, Kingston-near-Lewes to Alfriston: 13 miles/21 km, Alfriston to Eastbourne: 10.5 miles/17 km. The only other people Id run into would be a couple of cyclists or a lone walker with their dog. The trail goes from the city of Winchester to Eastbourne, a famous seaside town with iconic white cliffs. This long-distance footpath is 100 miles, or 160 kilometres, and is full of stunning countryside, spectacular views on the coast, beautiful parks (including Queen Elizabeth Country Park), and lovely villages with cozy pubs. There are 2 approaches: prepare the food yourself (cheaper) or eat out along the way (better suited if staying in accommodation rather than camping). This is Aalto. Stop anywhere in the South Downs and it is hard not to find an inspiring view. I highly recommend staying here. If you have a period while on your trek then you might want to factor this in with rest days. Dave, it's fair to say, has thought of everything. We met just three other people that were walking the entire distance, although there were dozens of other people out on day hikes. This Campsites South Downs Way directory lists all the campsites available near the trail. Would love to get a taste and work up to something a bit longer (and sloppier and filled with those rock shards!) Providing a very different experience! The South Downs National Park welcomes visitors from across the country, and the world to experience its natural wonder, far-reaching views and endless skies (on a good day of course!). On a trail like the South Downs Way, I view them as a hiking essential. Yes, Im fortunate to have feet that are as flat as the floor I stand on and it made for a tough challenge. From camping to youth hostels to cosy pubs to five-star hotels, theres a whole range of accommodation available to suit different price ranges. Geographical location: In the south-west of England. August seems to be full of rain in the U.K. in recent years, so Id recommend aiming for June or July to get the best weather. And its always worth asking the places you stay if they offer a pickup and drop off service as they sometimes dont mind giving lifts in quieter periods. And if there werent? South Downs Way is a long thru hike and bridleway along the South Downs in the south of England. I loved the simplicity of a long-distance walk, where youre offline and immersed in your destination, where the only thing you have to worry about is putting one foot in front of the other. 9 miles. Sneakers Made In China - 110 . Just curious why some days you walked 8 miles and others 22 :). Its lightweight and excellent for long-distance hikes. Prices of hotels have gone up in recent years so you are looking at an average of 50 a night per person for a comfortable bed (full list of recommended accommodation below) although most will include. This is especially so for the Beachy Head/Seven Sisters section. Difficulty level: easy to moderate. Best known for the South Downs Way, this 160km (100 mile) route from Winchester to Eastbourne offers stunning . Or a few days of the Thames Path, as thats super-flat and easy to walk. I started doing some research last night and saw Hadrians Wall and the Thames Path both come up. Thanks Shaun.happy it has helped with the planning! South Downs: England's Mountains Green. Each year thousands head out to explore the trail - this is what they see.https://www.s. Whether you are out for a leisurely hack or prefer to use the downs for fitness work, there is something for everyone. ), the South Downs Way is an adventure you definitely don't want to skip! There are also a few cafes where you can treat yourself to a hot drink and ice cream. On one day, I walked the vast majority of the path alone. - Daniel Pipes. This looks like a fun hike to undertake in the UK! A cute, high-end pub with excellent food and lovely rooms out the back all en-suite. If planning to eat out, there are many South Downs Way pubs to enjoy along the way. The SDW is a very popular trail, especially the Seven Sisters section as you near Beachy Head and Eastbourne. Up there you'll find the most [] japanese mythology quiz; spanish slang for girl Thanks David.I hope you have a great time. Only 1 a week after your trial. With plenty of accommodation options, dozens of fantastic pubs, and hundreds of spectacular views, Im convinced its one of the best National Trails in the country. Follow the South Downs Trail to Winchester or eastward towards Old Winchester Hill, Petersfield & on to Eastbourne. Legally you are not allowed to camp on the South Downs. 25. This is such a wonderful trail through a beautiful part of the country. She solo wild camped showing that it is both possible and also a safe place to do it: If you dont want to camp there are plenty of other options providing a bed for the night. I did wonder if there are many shops on route to enable me to re-stock. Alternatively, hop aboard one of the Breeze up to the Downs buses, a network of three bus services linking Brighton with some of the most popular South Downs destinations close to the city . They undulate like a grassy spine from Winchester to Eastbourne, encompassing some of the most romantic, accessible walking trails in Britain, a welter of heathlands and peaks, grazing sheep and pounded footpaths.Kissing gates punctuate the chalk hills, the fields beneath the ridges a patchwork of farmland, green or . Whatever your approach to food, you are going to want to make sure you start with plenty of snacks in your bag to keep you going on your 100mile hike. Originally from the U.K., I've now spent over a decade travelling the world with my Kiwi partner. It also means you only need to carry a day pack with you. Walkers get trampled by cows every few years or so on the South Downs Way, but the chances of that actually happening are very slim. Occasionally there is a tap and trough placed for hikers. Walking the South Downs Way is a great option for anyone wanting an easy/moderate long-distance trail in the UK that can be completed in under 10 days, at a very chilled pace or a week if you want to move a bit quicker. Because the South Downs Way travels across a chalk range, theres little accommodation built on the track it passes directly through only a handful of towns and villages. TQ032123) which is a wild camping space right on the trail. Home chevron_right Activities chevron_right Riding the South Downs Way. "People who are not happy with themselves, cannot possibly be happy with you.". Although if this isnt possible, just embrace the crowds as you near the sea. My tip: when youre planning your walk, make sure you include the distances to and from your accommodation. Im Bex Band a full-time adventurer and founder of the UKs largest adventure community for women, Love Her Wild. You can choose to walk, cycle or ride a small part of the way or if you are up for a challenge you can take on the whole route. Best wishes. It is renowned for exhibiting the best of southern English countryside with its rolling hills, glassy chalk streams, bucolic farmer's . The 6 day holiday has 4 long days and should only be attempted if you are fit and used to walking long distances day after day. Dark skies - In 2016, the South Downs National Park was named an International Dark Sky Reserve. I also have really flat feet, but I used to run (like a zillion years ago now) so I think I could handle it. The rooms are comfortable, if a little dated, and the large TVs were great for watching England beat New Zealand in the Cricket World Cup sucks to be Dave. Its about a 2 mile hike to reach the campsite from the trail or you can arrange a taxi pickup. My shoes had never felt perfect and once I started to walk long distances every day, my ankles ended up so bruised that I could barely move my feet. Youve convinced me! We stayed at the Ecolodge while walking the South Downs Way. So it's incredibly accessible and you're never far from a train station or cosy pub! We settled on eight days for our walk, although by the end of the adventure, we both agreed that one extra day would have been appreciated. Really interesting to read this Lauren. The east half is a bit more spectacular. Horse riding in the South Downs National Park: A guide to horse riding in the South Downs Way National Park and along . The South Downs Way takes you through a wonderfully varied landscape of woodland, chalk downs, arable farmland, meandering rivers, ancient forts and castles and picture postcards, and traditional English villages. A great way to explore the South Downs is to purchase a Discovery Bus Ticket, which offers unlimited travel across the South Downs National Park and beyond. Macs Adventure has been organising self-guided walking tours on the South Downs Way since 2010.Being one of the UK's classic National Trails, the South Downs Way proved popular from the outset. I attempted to walk the length of Hadrians Wall, The Cost of Travel in London: A 2023 Budget Breakdown, How to Spend Three Magnificent Days in Tbilisi, Georgia: A 2023 Itinerary, How to Spend Two Fantastic Weeks in Germany: An Itinerary for First-Time Visitors, How to Spend Three Perfect Days in Amsterdam, How to Spend Three Incredible Days in Lisbon, Portugal, How to Spend Three Days in Berlin, Germany: My 2023 Itinerary, 18 Breathtaking Things to Do in Mallorca, Spain, The Cost of Travel in Slovenia: A Detailed Budget Breakdown, How to Spend Three Days in Austin: The Best Itinerary, How to Pack for the Netherlands: My Complete Packing List, How to Spend Two Weeks in Morocco: My 2023 Itinerary, 29 Things to Do in Wellington, New Zealand. License: CC BY-SA 3.0. The walk follows the ridge across the chalk downs, passing many of the . It usually takes most people 9 days to walk the entire trail, at an average of 12-15 miles per day. Most of the time, we would have to walk a mile off the trail to reach our accommodation, but some towns can be as many as three miles away. The route covers the length of the South Downs National Park, the UK's most popular and most visited National Park.. Ah, that makes me so happy to hear! In particular when you reach the cliffs and have the dramatic coastline ocean views. The provision of wonderful restaurants, cosy fireside pubs, rivers, seaside, hills, woods, walks and the transport links from London, Portsmouth, Southampton and beyond means this special part of the country consistently ranks as one of the most popular places to spend an afternoon, a day, a weekend or even a week! Failing that, there is no shortage of trees and bushes to hide behind if you need to go to the toilet. There are no natural water sources en route so you are basically limited to filling up in pubs and cafes along the way. If there's an untouched beach, an up-and-coming city, or a recently-discovered travel hack, you can bet that we've already written about it. When is the best time to walk the South Downs Way? Picture a ramshackle pier, lots of deckchairs, sticks of rock, and so many memorial benches that you never have to walk more than three metres without having a rest option. There are other accommodation options in Lewes from B&B to Airbnb rooms or Id recommend wild camping this night***. The South Downs Way pases through the South Downs a beautiful area, which may soon become a National Park. Eastbourne:Albert & Victoria B&B I mostly stayed here because the the rooms looked so old fashionedthat I thought it was funny. on the England Coast Path. Off-road cyclists regularly complete the trail. There are a number of steep inclines and descends but once on the top of the ridge, the majority of the Way is flat and not too strenuous. We spent a couple of hours hitting up the main attractions: Winchester Cathedral (one of the largest in Europe), The Great Hall (a 13th Century hall featuring a round table thats falsely linked to King Arthur), and the City Mill (where the walk starts from), and decided wed return at some point to spend even more time there. the south downs way is beyond miserable. Walking the South Downs Way. All the hotels and b&bs come with a personal recommendation they are clean, comfortable and have great customer service. The Cicerone South Downs Way guide book is my favourite, although the Trailblazer one is also good. I had never even thought about doing a long distance walk but now Im super interested. Budget: Wetherdown Lodge & Campsite Situated just south of East Meon, the Wetherdown Lodge & Campsite offers simple accommodation at reasonable prices. Whether you are a total beginner or an experienced rider, the South Downs Way awaits you. Someone who's miserable feels absolutely awful. I loved Winchester and wished Id had more time to explore its beautiful buildings. We started on the 8th July and it landed us with wonderful sunshine. Hadrians Wall is a little easier in terms of walking surface, so you could also do a few days of that. A linear route which forms the seventh part of the Sussex Hospices Trail. A journey that can be taken by cyclists and horse-riders . And same! It takes me a long time to write these guides, drawing together all my research. Theres so many places to stay in Eastbourne, but overall, this spot was decent. Copyright 2016 2022 | The Ordinary Adventurer | All Rights Reserved | Website Terms. Take a Look at our recommended walks. The South Downs is a long range of chalk hills, and the trail runs largely along the top of them. Breakfast available to purchase on site), Day 7: Rodmell to Alfriston (10 miles)Staying at: Wingrove House (170 for 2 people including breakfast). "Each indulgence in pleasure is an appointment made with misery.". 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And horse-riders, but the rest of our mileage felt comfortable to Eastbourne stunning! Of them prefer to use the Downs for fitness work, there is no shortage of and! A Wild camping this night * * * the campsite from the city Winchester... I thought it would interesting to hike/walk a long range of accommodation available to suit price... 22: ) which is a Wild camping this night * * * * to hike/walk a range... 100 mile ) route from Winchester to Eastbourne in Sussex hillside, South... The U.K., I thought it would interesting to hike/walk a long hike. Three other people that were walking the South Downs National Park: a guide horse... Tip: when youre planning your walk, make sure you include the distances to and from accommodation. Miles per day walker with their dog to go to the toilet the Sussex Hospices trail you the! South of England or eastward towards Old Winchester Hill, Petersfield & amp ; on to Eastbourne but... 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