If you haven’t got time to do the whole of the South Downs Way, this Winchester to Amberley route is ideal to do over a long weekend. It will give you a good taster and you’ll definitely want to come back to complete the rest of the South Downs Way! The first 2 days are both long so you’ll need to bit fit and used to walking long distances.
Check in to your accommodation then explore this beautiful, historic city.
Highlights:
• The cathedral city of Winchester.
• Beacon Hill – it’s a nature reserve and commands outstanding views of the surrounding countryside.
• Old Winchester Hill – great views and there is a fine Iron Age hill-fort site at the top.
• Meon Springs – beautiful spot where you can get refreshments and fill up your water bottles.
• The pretty village of East Meon.
Highlights:
• Butser Hill – the highest point on the South Downs Way at 270 metres.
• Queen Elizabeth Country Park – a large area of beautiful mixed woodland.
• The picturesque village of Buriton ( half hour (in total) detour from the way).
• Harting Down – fantastic views across the Weald, it’s possible to see the North Downs on a clear day.
• Heyshott Down – great views inland.
• Bignor Roman Villa – dating back to 3rd Century AD, with amazingly preserved mosaic floors. It’s 1.5 miles from the South Downs Way and just off the old Roman road Stane Street.
• Bignor Hill – fantastic views right along the Downs.
• Amberley Working Museum – excellent museum of local history, just off the way.
• Amberley village – one of the prettiest villages in the South Downs, just off the way.
• First views of the sea to the south.
You can either head off from Amberley in the afternoon, but we’d recommend spending the night in this beautiful village and taking the time to explore the historic town of Arundel the following day. It’s just 5 minutes away by train.
£370 per person for 3 nights.
£420 per person for 4 nights (overnighting in Amberley 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 24 May – 31 October 21.
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 a selection of the handpicked B&Bs, hotels and country inns we use – feel free to check them out on Tripadvisor, we do!
Magdalen House, Winchester – situated close to the city centre and very handy for the start of the trail, Magdalen House is a friendly, welcoming B&B and a great base to explore Winchester from.
Black Hole B&B, Winchester – this quirky, characterful B&B is highly rated and promises a unique experience. It’s also perfectly situated being close to the start of the trail as well as the city centre.
The Long House, East Meon – situated in a peaceful, rural location, the Long House is a barn and stable conversion offering very comfortable accommodation
Moonlight Cottage & The Malthouse, Cocking – first class B&B accommodation in a characterful farmhouse and charming flint and brick cottage
Guillards Oak, Midhurst – Conveniently situated in a quiet location yet close to the town centre, Guillards Oak is a welcoming B&B offering comfortable accommodation.
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
Two Farm Cottages, Amberley – located in the picture perfect village of Amberley and with fantastic views of the Downs, Two Farms Cottages is a very welcoming, high-quality B&B
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
If you’ve time to spare, we’d recommend taking an extra day at the start of your walk to explore Winchester.It’s a pleasure to just stroll along the banks of the River Itchen and wander around the historic city centre, with its independent shops and array of restaurants and pubs.
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: 
Check in to your accommodation then explore this beautiful, historic city.
Highlights:
• The cathedral city of Winchester.
• Beacon Hill – it’s a nature reserve and commands outstanding views of the surrounding countryside.
• Old Winchester Hill – great views and there is a fine Iron Age hill-fort site at the top.
• Meon Springs – beautiful spot where you can get refreshments and fill up your water bottles.
• The pretty village of East Meon.
Highlights:
• Butser Hill – the highest point on the South Downs Way at 270 metres.
• Queen Elizabeth Country Park – a large area of beautiful mixed woodland.
• The picturesque village of Buriton ( half hour (in total) detour from the way).
• Harting Down – fantastic views across the Weald, it’s possible to see the North Downs on a clear day.
• Heyshott Down – great views inland.
• Bignor Roman Villa – dating back to 3rd Century AD, with amazingly preserved mosaic floors. It’s 1.5 miles from the South Downs Way and just off the old Roman road Stane Street.
• Bignor Hill – fantastic views right along the Downs.
• Amberley Working Museum – excellent museum of local history, just off the way.
• Amberley village – one of the prettiest villages in the South Downs, just off the way.
• First views of the sea to the south.
You can either head off from Amberley in the afternoon, but we’d recommend spending the night in this beautiful village and taking the time to explore the historic town of Arundel the following day. It’s just 5 minutes away by train.
£370 per person for 3 nights.
£420 per person for 4 nights (overnighting in Amberley 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 24 May – 31 October 21.
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 a selection of the handpicked B&Bs, hotels and country inns we use – feel free to check them out on Tripadvisor, we do!
Magdalen House, Winchester – situated close to the city centre and very handy for the start of the trail, Magdalen House is a friendly, welcoming B&B and a great base to explore Winchester from.
Black Hole B&B, Winchester – this quirky, characterful B&B is highly rated and promises a unique experience. It’s also perfectly situated being close to the start of the trail as well as the city centre.
The Long House, East Meon – situated in a peaceful, rural location, the Long House is a barn and stable conversion offering very comfortable accommodation
Moonlight Cottage & The Malthouse, Cocking – first class B&B accommodation in a characterful farmhouse and charming flint and brick cottage
Guillards Oak, Midhurst – Conveniently situated in a quiet location yet close to the town centre, Guillards Oak is a welcoming B&B offering comfortable accommodation.
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
Two Farm Cottages, Amberley – located in the picture perfect village of Amberley and with fantastic views of the Downs, Two Farms Cottages is a very welcoming, high-quality B&B
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
If you’ve time to spare, we’d recommend taking an extra day at the start of your walk to explore Winchester.It’s a pleasure to just stroll along the banks of the River Itchen and wander around the historic city centre, with its independent shops and array of restaurants and pubs.
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:
