Winchester to Eastbourne Walk (6 Days)

Day one: Arrive in Winchester

Check in to your accommodation then explore this beautiful, historic city.

Day two: Winchester to East Meon – 17 miles / 27 kms

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.

Day three: East Meon to Cocking – 18 miles / 29 kms

Highlights:

• Butser Hill – highest point on the South Downs Way at 270 metres.
• Queen Elizabeth Country Park – 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.

Day four: Cocking to Steyning – 23 miles / 37 kms

Highlights:

• 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 glimpse of the sea to the south and sweeping 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.

Day five: Steyning to Lewes  – 19 miles / 30 kms

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.

Day six: Lewes to Alfriston – 14 miles / 23 kms

Highlights:

• Ditchling Beacon – heading east from here, there are fantastic views inland across the weald and towards ashdown forest.
• Lewes – this pretty county town is steeped in history• Monk’s House, Rodmell – this was the home of Virginia Woolf, now owned by the National Trust and open to the public.
• Iford Hill – great views inland towards Mount Caburn to the north and the sea to the south.
• The picture postcard village of Alfriston.

Day seven: Alfriston – Eastbourne – 12 miles / 19 kms

Highlights:

• Cuckmere Valley – where the river Cuckmere meanders it’s 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!

£595 per person for 6 nights.

£640 per person for 7 nights (overnighting in Eastbourne at the end of your walk).

These prices are based on two people sharing a room, single supplement of £30/night applies.

This walk is available to book any time between 25 March – 13 October 19.

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 some of the handpicked B&Bs, hotels and country inns we use – feel free to check them out on Tripadvisor, we do!

Giffard House Hotel, Winchester – a friendly, family hotel that offers luxury accommodation

The King Alfred, Winchester – A gem in Winchester’s crown. With cosy corners, freshly cooked pub food and five very comfortable rooms

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

Stane House, Bignor – a beautiful house in a peaceful setting, Stane House offers very good quality accommodation a stone’s throw from Bignor Roman Villa

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 Thatched House, Amberley – situated in arguably the most picturesque village along the route, you’re assured a very warm welcome from Guy and Mary in their beautiful, characterful home (which despite the name is not thatched!)

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

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

Berkeley House, Lewes – A Grade II Listed 1820’s Regency house, Berkeley House offers a warm welcome and very comfortable accommodation in the heart of historic Lewes.

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

The Star Inn, Alfriston – steeped in history and full of character, the Star Inn is a 13th Century Inn in the centre of Alfriston with a very good standard of accommodation

Riverdale House, Alfriston – enjoying a peaceful setting with wonderful views, Riverdale House offers very comfortable accommodation

Southcroft Guesthouse, Eastbourne – conveniently located near the end of the South Downs Way, Southcroft Guesthouse provides a warm welcome and excellent accommodation

Optional Add-ons

If you have the time to spare, we’d really recommend taking a day off during your walk. This not only gives your legs and feet a rest, but also gives you the opportunity to explore the local area, and there is plenty to see and do!

The historic town of Arundel, with its magnificent castle and cathedral, is well worth a visit, as is the historic county town of Lewes. Or you could just take a leisurely stroll around the beautiful village of Amberley, or just put your feet up for the day!

Upgrades

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 are just a couple of examples of some truly memorable places to stay: