The South Downs Way National Trail
Length: 171km/106 miles
Average time to complete: 7 days walking, 4 days cycling
The South Downs Way National Trail takes the ridgeline of the rolling South Downs from King Alfred’s historic capital at Winchester to the spectacular chalk cliffs at Beachy Head near Eastbourne. The whole trail is open for walkers, off road cyclists and horse riders.
Although the route can be travelled in either direction, starting from Winchester is perhaps the best option. The Hampshire Downs are typical old English countryside of mixed farming, small woodlands, and long views out to Surrey and to the sea. Don’t forget to watch out for the Llamas or even the occasional Tank… not everything is quite as expected here! Take some time at Old Winchester Hill National Nature Reserve, with its Iron Age Hillfort, Bronze Age burial mounds, and flower studded chalk grassland.
As you enter West Sussex the Downs become more wooded – some of the forest here dates back to the end of the Ice Age – and the Isle of Wight can be seen filling the southern horizon. Prehistoric remains are joined by Roman roads and villas, and the path crosses several impressive river valleys. Amberley Wild Brooks, in the Arun Valley, is perhaps the most famous and certainly the largest expanse of flood meadow overlooked by the West Sussex Downs.
As you enter East Sussex the scenery changes again, opening out into the vast expanse of open grassland and arable fields that is the Downland’s popular image. The meandering river Cuckmere takes you down to the sea, a scene so English it was used in a patriotic propaganda poster in 1940; “This is your England – Fight for it!”. Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters have the finest chalk cliffs to be found anywhere, gleaming white against the sea, a fitting finale to your journey.
The South Downs Way can be walked by anyone with reasonable fitness; the few steep sections are not too long. There are plenty of excellent pubs and teashops (think homemade cakes) along the way. There are a few muddy patches but the going is generally good for off road cycling too.
Use our interactive map to search for nearby accommodation for walkers (www.enjoyengland.com/book/accommodation/searchresults.aspx?Sec=accommodation&advsrch=1&Rad=3&Reg=South%20East&FcWkr=true&durat=1&room=1&adult=1&child=0&display=map)