8-Day Walking Holiday From Winchester to Eastbourne
8 days
105 miles / 169 km
Overview
(Booking code SDW8)
This 8-day Winchester to Eastbourne South Downs Way walk is the perfect choice if you’d like a little more time to explore places of interest en route, as well as the towns and villages you are staying in. There is one long day but generally, this itinerary will allow you to enjoy your surroundings and the stunning scenery along the route. This holiday is suitable for anyone with a decent level of fitness.
Day one
Arrive in Winchester
Check in to your accommodation then explore this beautiful, historic city.
Day two
Day two – Winchester to Meonstoke – 12 miles / 19 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.
Day three
Meonstoke to Clanfield – 10 miles / 16 kms
Highlights:
• Old Winchester hill – great views and there is a fine Iron Age hill-fort site at the top.
• Butser Hill – the highest point on the South Downs Way at 270 metres.
Day four
Clanfield to Cocking – 15 miles / 24 kms
Highlights:
• Queen Elizabeth Country Park – large area of beautiful mixed woodland.
• Harting Down – fantastic views across the Weald, it’s possible to see the North Downs on a clear day.
Day five
Cocking to Amberley – 12 miles / 19 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 views of the sea to the south.
Day six
Amberley to Steyning – 13 miles / 21 kms
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.
Day seven
Steyning to Lewes – 18 miles / 29 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..
• Jack & Jill Windmills – famous local landmarks that can be seen from miles around.
• Ditchling Beacon – heading east from here, there are fantastic views inland across the weald and towards the Ashdown forest.
• Lewes – this pretty county town is steeped in history
Day eight
Lewes – Alfriston – 14 miles / 23 kms
Highlights:
• Great views inland to the north and the sea to the south, particularly from Firle Beacon.
• The picture postcard village of Alfriston.
Day nine
Alfriston to 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!
£1065 per person for 8 nights.
£1125 per person for 9 nights (overnighting in Eastbourne at the end of your walk).
These prices are based on two people sharing, single supplement of £50/night applies.
This walk is available to book (subject to availability) any time between 29 March – 24 October 25. We may still be able to help with dates outside of this range, please get in touch.
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. For extra peace of mind we book the accommodation and send your confirmed itinerary before you need to pay your deposit, so you can see exactly where you will be staying before committing to the walking holiday.
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!
Arundel Castle
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:
Amberley Castle, Amberley
Wingrove House, Alfriston
Why book with us?
We love what we do!
We are passionate about the South Downs and are only too happy to share our knowledge and expertise to help you get the very most from your trip. Every walk we offer is one we have enjoyed ourselves!
South Downs Way experts
Our years of experience of working in, as well as walking and cycling throughout the South Downs National Park give us a level of expertise that’s hard to beat!
Perfect planning
We believe that attention to detail is the key to arranging the perfect walking holiday, so we take great care in planning your holiday to ensure everything runs like clockwork.
Flexibility and choice
Our friendly and flexible approach means that we can offer a genuinely tailor made service, and help you find the holiday that is perfect for you.
Handpicked accommodation
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!
Personalised service
We take great pride in ensuring that every single one of our customers receives outstanding service, specifically tailored to their needs. You’ll deal with the same person from your first enquiry until the end of your holiday, ensuring continuity and great service!
24/7 support
For your peace of mind, we provide you with a mobile number to contact us on should you need support outside office hours.
Responsible tourism
The natural beauty of the South Downs National Park is central to all our walking holidays, so we feel it’s important to play our part in protecting this beautiful area. We have a whole page on our website dedicated to responsible tourism and are also members of the South Downs Society, an independent charity dedicated to protecting the National Park for the enjoyment of future generations.
What’s included?
Handpicked accommodation
We only use a select range of accommodation providers which we personally visit and regularly review to ensure high standards.
En suite or private bathrooms
All rooms we book come with an en suite or private bathroom.
Breakfast
Breakfast is included in the price of your booking.
Reliable luggage transfer service
We work with South Downs Bag Transfers who will collect your bags each day after 0900 and drop off no later than 1600.
24/7 support during your holiday
For your peace of mind, we provide out of office hours support.
Guide book and map
We provide you with a Trailblazer guide book and a handy sized OS map booklet covering the whole route (one of each per booking).
Personalised trip notes
Our personalised trip notes include all our favourite lunch stops, points of interest along the route, directions to/from your accommodation and a guide to each town or village you stay in, including pub and restaurant recommendations.
Luggage labels
We will provide luggage labels to attach to your bags at the start of your trip.
Our reviews
Booking Form
Please complete the form below to book your holiday and we will respond to you within 48 hours.
