South Downs Way
Highlights:
Historic city of Winchester
Rolling verdant countryside
Spectacular hilltop views
Seven Sisters chalk cliffs
Brief:
⏱ Duration: 8 - 10 Days
🗺 Distance: 163 km
⛰ Difficulty: Moderate
🗓 Best Time: March - Nov
🛏 Accomm: Bed & Breakfast; hotels
Walk Overview
The South Downs Way is one of the United Kingdom’s 16 specially protected “National Trails”. It was one of the early National Trails, having had that status bestowed on it in 1972. Most people regard it as one of the easier National Trails given that it has few steep ascents or descents and is good underfoot. While it’s not that far from London, it seems very removed as the path takes you through a remarkably tranquil and attractive swathe of English countryside.
The “South Downs” is a range of gentle chalk hills that stretches from Sussex’s western border with Hampshire in an easterly direction across more than half the county until it eventually spills into the English Channel at Eastbourne. The South Downs Way broadly follows the northern ridge-line of this range, staying high whenever possible. The hills are grassy and flower-strewn and the valleys well-wooded. The villages encountered en route are quiet and attractive.
The South Downs Way can be walked west to east, or vice versa. Most people walk west to east as that results in the prevailing wind being at your back. It also means you finish with a highlight - the Seven Sisters coastal walk into the attractive seaside resort of Eastbourne. Walking west to east means starting in the historic city of Winchester, a fascinating town with some outstanding historic sites. It’s well worth scheduling a day in Winchester before you commence the Way.
The South Downs Way has many highlights, including:
Winchester, home to Winchester Cathedral, one of the largest cathedrals in Europe, and one-time capital of King Alfred the Great.
Spectacular downland views from Beacon and Bignor Hills and coastal views from Firle Beacon and Beachy Head.
Numerous ancient sites such as Iron Age hill-top forts (including the famous Chanctonbuty Ring) and Roman villa ruins.
Magnificent chalk formations of The Devil’s Dyke and the Seven Sisters.
Abundance of butterflies and wildflowers.
The woods of Queen Elizabeth Country Park.
The South Downs Way finishes in Eastbourne. Eastbourne is a vibrant and attractive seaside resort. Its famous Victorian pier is a key attraction, as are its Redoubt Fortress and Martello tower. In summer, there are regular concerts at the Eastbourne Bandstand.
The complete South Downs Way covers 163 kilometres (101 miles) and generally takes about eight or nine days of walking. Your total trip duration then depends on whether you incorporate rest days and, if so, how many.
Assistance and further information:
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A nine day itinerary for the South Downs Way is described below.
Itinerary
The walk takes about 9 days to complete. A typical 9 itinerary completing the entire track is shown below.
Day 1
Winchester to Exton
Distance: 20 km
Time: 6 hours
Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast
Day 2
Exton to Buriton
Distance: 20 km
Time: 6 hours
Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast
Day 3
Buriton to Cocking
Distance: 17.5 km
Time: 5.5 hours
Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast
Day 4
Cocking to Amberley
Distance: 19 km
Time: 6 hours
Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast; hotels
Day 5
Amberley to Upper Beeding
Distance: 19 km
Time: 6 hours
Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast
Day 6
Upper Beeding to Pyecombe
Distance: 12 km
Time: 3.5 hours
Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast; hotels
Day 7
Pyecombe to Kingston-nr-Lewes
Distance: 17 km
Time: 5 hours
Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast
Day 8
Kingston-nr-Lewes to Alfriston
Distance: 19 km
Time: 6 hours
Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast
Day 9
Alfriston to Eastbourne
Distance: 19 km
Time: 6 hours
Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast; hotels
Walk Options
Guided
There are currently no walk tour operators who offer the entire 163 kilometre walk as a guided trip on a regular basis. There are a few operators who offer to guide either the entire walk or a shorter version on designated dates each year. With some of these options, comfortable accommodation is offered at one central base and walkers are transferred to a section of the walk each day.
Typically, the package offered by these operators includes:
10 day tour with professional guides, 9 days of walking
10 nights accommodation
All meals
Transfers between the track and the accommodation
Assisted self-guided
Many tour operators offer self-guided trips on the South Downs Way.
Typically, the service includes:
Track notes, maps and information pack
Accommodation, usually with ensuites (the range and quantity of accommodation available in some villages is limited; also, the basic package offered by some tour operators might not always extend to ensuites)
Luggage transport between accommodation (and sometimes, where necessary, vehicle transfers between track and accommodation)
Breakfasts and optional packed lunches
24/7 support
The duration of the self-guided options varies depending upon how far you wish to walk each day. Accommodation options range from comfortable through to luxury, again depending upon the size of the village or town and the purchased package.
Independent
There are some camping areas along the route that make camping on most nights a possibility. It’s also quite feasible to book accommodation along the route yourself and, if you require luggage transfers, to arrange that independently.
For those considering this option, it’s worth noting that the self-guided tour operators often have preferred rates with accommodation providers and luggage transfer companies. They also often have reserved allocations at the best-located/most suitable accommodation for the particular walk, so sometimes when accommodation shows no availability to an independent inquiry there’s still availability through a self-guided operator.
Also, be aware that Eastbourne is a popular destination for both local and overseas travellers, so during the holiday season it will usually be necessary to book accommodation well ahead of your visit.
Essential Information
Access
The starting point for the South Downs Way is either Winchester or Eastbourne.
Winchester and Eastbourne are both readily accessible by public transport:
For Winchester, there are direct and regular trains from London’s Waterloo station (with the journey being approx one hour).
From Eastbourne, there are direct and regular trains to London’s Victoria station (with the journey being approx one and a half hours).
Best time
The best time to do the walk is between March and November.
In spring and summer attractive wildflowers adorn the route and then in September and October the woodlands colour the landscape with their autumnal foliage.
Difficulty
This walk is rated at a difficulty level of moderate. It is waymarked, well-defined and well maintained. The route itself doesn’t involve too many steep ascents or descents but it’s often necessary to descend to overnight accommodation. At 163 km, the full walk is long.
Accommodation
There are many accommodation options at either end of the South Downs Way (Winchester and Eastbourne) and, generally, sufficient options along the route. The accommodation is often slightly off the route (and usually that means a descent, and then an ascent the following morning).
Accommodation options include camping, hostels, B&B’s, guesthouses, inns and hotels. Along the way, there are some unique accommodation options that provide a highly memorable experience.
Many of the accommodation providers, particularly those near to the route, are attuned to walkers’ needs or offer amenities suited to walkers.
We can assist walkers in choosing the accommodation options which best suit their needs.
Dining
We can assist you in choosing special dining options along the route and at the end of the walk.
Other activities
The South Downs offers many attractions in addition to the South Downs Way.
Many walkers choose to add extra days to their trip so that they can explore these other attractions. Some will do that through rest days along the trail; others prefer ‘add-ons’ at the end of the walk. Some do both!
Amberley is very well located for a rest day, has a number of attractions and is a pretty village. It’s also close to the historic town of Arundel with its remarkable medieval castle.
For something more indulgent, the chalk hills have proved to be ideal for champagne-style wines and there are a number of highly regarded vineyards in the region.
We can assist walkers to explore the many attractions of the South Downs.
Assistance
We can assist walkers with various aspects of their walking holidays.