The South Downs Way route runs through the heart of the South Downs National Park in Southern England. The trail stretches for some 100 miles from historic Winchester in Hampshire to the coastal resort of Eastbourne in East Sussex and encompasses some of the very finest countrysides that England has to offer. All this is less than an hour from London!
This wonderful walking and cycling route has two main claims to fame: not only is the South Downs Way the UK’s oldest national trail, but it’s also the only one to be entirely situated within a national park.
Here at South Downs Discovery, our aim is to help you get the very most out of your visit to this beautiful corner of England. If you’d love to walk the South Downs Way but don’t know where to start, we offer high-quality, self-guided walking holidays.
Well-maintained and clearly signposted, the South Downs Way is ideal for walkers, cyclists and horse riders alike. There is good access to all parts of the route and there’s plenty of accommodation and places to stop for lunch. Although there are some steep climbs, it’s realistically achievable for anyone with a decent level of fitness.
On days of clear visibility, the walk across the chalk downlands of Sussex and Hampshire brings spectacular rewards – you can gaze across the English Channel and inland across the endless patchwork of fields, forests and villages of the Weald.
You should also allow time for detours as there is a great deal to see close to the route, including numerous sites of historical interest, not to mention some outstanding pubs.
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. 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.
This historic route follows in the footsteps of ancient paths and driveways and you can’t help but feel the sense of history around you. You’ll either start or end in the historic city of Winchester, once the capital of England. Take some time to wander through the ancient splendour of this beautiful city, particularly the awe-inspiring cathedral.
The path will also take you past the historic and beautiful towns of Arundel and Lewes with their imposing castles visible from the way.
You can walk or cycle the South Downs Way in either direction but we’d recommend walking east from Winchester to Eastbourne. The prevailing wind is more likely to be at your back and the finale of the spectacular Seven Sisters and Beachy Head is hard to beat!
Want to know more? Contact us today for advice and to book your holiday.