This five-day walking itinerary from Amberley to Eastbourne allows you to cover the second half of the South Downs Way at a relaxed pace. If you only do one half of the South Downs Way, this is the half we’d recommend. The scenery gets more and more spectacular as you go on, culminating in the climax of the spectacular Seven Sisters and Beachy Head.
Arrive in Amberley and check in to your accommodation. Take the time to explore picturesque Amberley, while historic Arundel is just a 5 minute train ride away.
Highlights
• Views of Amberley Brooks nature reserve after climbing out of Houghton Bridge and Amberley.
• Chanctonbury Ring – said to be haunted, it’s the site of an Iron Age hill-fort dating back to the 6th Century BC. Fantastic views out to sea and along the downs.
• Bramber Castle – the remains of a Norman castle on the banks of the River Adur
Highlights
• River Adur – views south towards the stunning hillside Abbey at Lancing College.
• Fulking Hill – spectacular 360 degree views.
• Devils’s Dyke – legend has it that the Devil dug the valley to drown the parishioners of the Weald.
Highlights
• Ditchling Beacon – heading east from here, there are fantastic views inland across the weald and towards the Ashdown forest.
• Iford & Swanborough Hill – great views inland towards Mount Caburn to the north and the sea to the south.
• Lewes – a very historic town, it’s a couple of miles from the way but worth it if you have the energy!
• Monk’s House, Rodmell – this was the home of Virginia Woolf, now owned by the National Trust and open to the public.
Highlights
• Great views inland to the north and the sea to the south, particularly from Firle Beacon.
• The picture postcard village of Alfriston.
Highlights
• Cuckmere Valley – where the river Cuckmere meanders its way to the sea
• Seven Sisters – iconic, glorious coastal scenery, arguably the highlight of the whole South Downs Way
• Beachy Head – spectacular chalk cliff jutting into the English channel with fine views west across the Seven Sisters and east over Eastbourne and beyond.
The spectacular Seven Sisters make a fitting finale to the South Downs Way. You can then either depart Eastbourne in the afternoon or stay over and depart the following day, giving you a chance to explore this elegant seaside resort or just put your feet up!
£670 per person for 5 nights.
£725 per person for 6 nights (overnighting in Eastbourne at the end of your walk).
These prices are based on two people sharing, single supplement of £40/night applies.
This walk is available to book any time between 01 April – 15 October 23.
We understand that good quality accommodation is the key component to a successful walking holiday and often the difference between a good holiday and a great one! So rest assured, after a long day’s walking you can expect a very warm welcome. We don’t like leaving anything to chance, so we personally visit all our accommodation providers, as well as constantly monitoring customer feedback and online reviews. We know all our B&B owners very well and we only work with nice people! Here’s just a selection of the handpicked B&Bs, hotels and country inns we use – feel free to check them out on Tripadvisor, we do!
Arun Valley B&B, Houghton Farm, Houghton – a working farm with two good pubs nearby, Houghton Farm is a welcoming B&B with very comfortable accommodation
The Sportsman, Amberley – the Sportsman offers comfortable accommodation, very good food and drink and stunning views across Amberley Wildbrooks
Arden House, Arundel – situated in a quiet yet central part of historic Arundel, Arden House is a welcoming guesthouse with an excellent standard of accommodation
Hill View, Steyning – set in the picturesque village of Steyning, Hill View provides comfortable accommodation in a peaceful setting
Downs View, Upper Beeding – an outstanding, family run B&B offering extremely spacious and comfortable accommodation
Dyke Lane House, Poynings (South Downs Way B&B) – situated in the peaceful village of Poynings just a stone’s throw from a great pub, Dyke Lane House is an excellent B&B with bags of character
Murrells B&B, Lewes – tucked away in a tranquil spot yet just 5 minutes from the centre of Lewes, Murrells is an excellent, friendly and welcoming B&B.
Deans Place Hotel, Alfriston – set on the banks of the Cuckmere River, Deans Place is an excellent hotel offering very comfortable accommodation and excellent amenities
Riverdale House, Alfriston – enjoying a peaceful setting with wonderful views, Riverdale House offers very comfortable accommodation
The Pilot Inn, Eastbourne – conveniently located near the end of the trail, the Pilot Inn is a friendly, stylish pub offering excellent beer, food & accommodation
If you’ve time to spare, we’d recommend taking an extra day at the start of your walk to explore historic Arundel, just a 5 minute train ride from Amberley. The town is dominated by the magnificent castle, and there’s also a gothic cathedral to explore as well as a bustling town centre.
If you’d like to celebrate a special occasion while you’re away, or if you just fancy treating yourself for a night or two, we can arrange upgrades to some of the very best accommodation the South Downs has to offer. Here is just one example of some truly memorable places to stay: 
Arrive in Amberley and check in to your accommodation. Take the time to explore picturesque Amberley, while historic Arundel is just a 5 minute train ride away.
Highlights
• Views of Amberley Brooks nature reserve after climbing out of Houghton Bridge and Amberley.
• Chanctonbury Ring – said to be haunted, it’s the site of an Iron Age hill-fort dating back to the 6th Century BC. Fantastic views out to sea and along the downs.
• Bramber Castle – the remains of a Norman castle on the banks of the River Adur
Highlights
• River Adur – views south towards the stunning hillside Abbey at Lancing College.
• Fulking Hill – spectacular 360 degree views.
• Devils’s Dyke – legend has it that the Devil dug the valley to drown the parishioners of the Weald.
Highlights
• Ditchling Beacon – heading east from here, there are fantastic views inland across the weald and towards the Ashdown forest.
• Iford & Swanborough Hill – great views inland towards Mount Caburn to the north and the sea to the south.
• Lewes – a very historic town, it’s a couple of miles from the way but worth it if you have the energy!
• Monk’s House, Rodmell – this was the home of Virginia Woolf, now owned by the National Trust and open to the public.
Highlights
• Great views inland to the north and the sea to the south, particularly from Firle Beacon.
• The picture postcard village of Alfriston.
Highlights
• Cuckmere Valley – where the river Cuckmere meanders its way to the sea
• Seven Sisters – iconic, glorious coastal scenery, arguably the highlight of the whole South Downs Way
• Beachy Head – spectacular chalk cliff jutting into the English channel with fine views west across the Seven Sisters and east over Eastbourne and beyond.
The spectacular Seven Sisters make a fitting finale to the South Downs Way. You can then either depart Eastbourne in the afternoon or stay over and depart the following day, giving you a chance to explore this elegant seaside resort or just put your feet up!
£670 per person for 5 nights.
£725 per person for 6 nights (overnighting in Eastbourne at the end of your walk).
These prices are based on two people sharing, single supplement of £40/night applies.
This walk is available to book any time between 01 April – 15 October 23.
We understand that good quality accommodation is the key component to a successful walking holiday and often the difference between a good holiday and a great one! So rest assured, after a long day’s walking you can expect a very warm welcome. We don’t like leaving anything to chance, so we personally visit all our accommodation providers, as well as constantly monitoring customer feedback and online reviews. We know all our B&B owners very well and we only work with nice people! Here’s just a selection of the handpicked B&Bs, hotels and country inns we use – feel free to check them out on Tripadvisor, we do!
Arun Valley B&B, Houghton Farm, Houghton – a working farm with two good pubs nearby, Houghton Farm is a welcoming B&B with very comfortable accommodation
The Sportsman, Amberley – the Sportsman offers comfortable accommodation, very good food and drink and stunning views across Amberley Wildbrooks
Arden House, Arundel – situated in a quiet yet central part of historic Arundel, Arden House is a welcoming guesthouse with an excellent standard of accommodation
Hill View, Steyning – set in the picturesque village of Steyning, Hill View provides comfortable accommodation in a peaceful setting
Downs View, Upper Beeding – an outstanding, family run B&B offering extremely spacious and comfortable accommodation
Dyke Lane House, Poynings (South Downs Way B&B) – situated in the peaceful village of Poynings just a stone’s throw from a great pub, Dyke Lane House is an excellent B&B with bags of character
Murrells B&B, Lewes – tucked away in a tranquil spot yet just 5 minutes from the centre of Lewes, Murrells is an excellent, friendly and welcoming B&B.
Deans Place Hotel, Alfriston – set on the banks of the Cuckmere River, Deans Place is an excellent hotel offering very comfortable accommodation and excellent amenities
Riverdale House, Alfriston – enjoying a peaceful setting with wonderful views, Riverdale House offers very comfortable accommodation
The Pilot Inn, Eastbourne – conveniently located near the end of the trail, the Pilot Inn is a friendly, stylish pub offering excellent beer, food & accommodation
If you’ve time to spare, we’d recommend taking an extra day at the start of your walk to explore historic Arundel, just a 5 minute train ride from Amberley. The town is dominated by the magnificent castle, and there’s also a gothic cathedral to explore as well as a bustling town centre.
If you’d like to celebrate a special occasion while you’re away, or if you just fancy treating yourself for a night or two, we can arrange upgrades to some of the very best accommodation the South Downs has to offer. Here is just one example of some truly memorable places to stay: