The Shoe Inn, the village pub, is a friendly welcome on the South Down's Way. This is such a wonderful trail through a beautiful part of the country. This beautiful trail passes through some gorgeous undulating scenery, between Winchester and Eastbourne. I'm here to help you explore this planet safely, adventurously, and affordably. Subpar gear but superior English weather. I, however, recommend staying in as many pubs and B&Bs as possible the accommodation was one of the highlights of our walk! Required fields are marked *. The South Downs will leave you spattered to the waist in grey-white mud. This looks so cool! The following are the points where the path can be picked up using public transport: Meon valley, South Harting, Cocking, Amberley (train station) Bramber, Devil's Dyke and Ditchling beacon at weekends, Southease (train station) Alfriston and Cuckmere . An airline once tore a hole in my Osprey backpack and they had it repaired and back in my hands in under a week all for free!). On a trail like the South Downs Way, I view them as a hiking essential. It finishes 100 miles later in Eastbourne, East Sussex. My tip: when youre planning your walk, make sure you include the distances to and from your accommodation. The trail is 160km long and stretches from Winchester in Hampshire to Eastbourne in East Sussex. The pubs we stayed in offered a packed lunch option, so if we knew there wouldnt be any lunch stops on the following day, wed get one to go. For the most part, youll be walking alone without any other humans in sight. The South Downs Way has become the first fully accessible national trail! "The reason many people in our society are miserable, sick, and highly stressed is because of an unhealthy attachment to things they have no control over.". Obviously, if you arent planning to camp you can ditch the cooking stuff, tent and sleeping gear. You'll find some of the best stargazing spots in England in places like Old Winchester Hill, Harting . 19 April 2016, 12:00am; Photo by DAVID ILIFF. Or you could try and beat the 14hour running record if you really want to give your legs a battering! Fairly certain it would kill me, though, hahaha :-). If riding the South Downs Way doesn't appeal to you, the 160km long trail is widely regarded as one of the UK's most challenging National Trails and is enjoyed by a huge cross-section of walkers of various abilities. They undulate like a grassy spine from Winchester to Eastbourne, encompassing some of the most romantic, accessible walking trails in Britain, a welter of heathlands and peaks, grazing sheep and pounded footpaths.Kissing gates punctuate the chalk hills, the fields beneath the ridges a patchwork of farmland, green or . Because the South Downs Way travels across a chalk range, theres little accommodation built on the track it passes directly through only a handful of towns and villages. Thats good to hear! It gave my joints a chance to rest and my hiking poles helped me push myself upwards at a startling speed. Day 4: Chichester to Amberley 13 miles (Camping wild camp spot)Camping at High Tittern (High Tittern Lane, Amberley, grid ref. There is something beautiful about the UKs rugged coastline in winter! As one of the UK's most challenging National Trails the South Downs Way is enjoyed by a huge cross-section of walkers of various abilities. We spent a couple of hours hitting up the main attractions: Winchester Cathedral (one of the largest in Europe), The Great Hall (a 13th Century hall featuring a round table thats falsely linked to King Arthur), and the City Mill (where the walk starts from), and decided wed return at some point to spend even more time there. Good to know about the hiking trail being hard underfoot too. Take a look at our guide for recommended walks. The full trial has about 4,150m of ascent. If you do choose to wild camp, one of the great advantages is that you dont need such a rigid itinerary. 5. The best day of the walk is undoubtedly the final day the trail over the white cliffs of the Seven Sisters and Beachy Head is known as one of the best day walks in the country. Trailblazer guides are so good for walking in the U.K.! I wont say its impossible to get lost on the South Downs Way mostly because I did actually get lost on the South Downs Way. Our comprehensive guide to the South Downs Way means that planning your trip has never been easier. You can take the coach or train from London to Winchester! Eastbourne:Albert & Victoria B&B I mostly stayed here because the the rooms looked so old fashionedthat I thought it was funny. In particular when you reach the cliffs and have the dramatic coastline ocean views. Hope that makes sense. Day 1: Winchester to Cheriton 6 mileCamping at Holdean Farm (Cheriton, Nr Alresford, hants, So24 0NX) close to the trail. How much did we spend?Barely anything!!! A linear route which forms the seventh part of the Sussex Hospices Trail. And know that you may be asked to move on and will need to do so without complaint. As the trail is well used this means really following the pitch late and leave early rule so you arent disturbing anyone else on the trail. Youll want to avoid school holidays, because the trail gets far more crowded when the kids are on vacation, and that means accommodation is much more in demand. Yes, Im fortunate to have feet that are as flat as the floor I stand on and it made for a tough challenge. 25. February - April: AustraliaMay: South KoreaJune: The U.K.July: IrelandAugust: Mauritius, Rodrigues. heres a quick guide and video if you are interested in horse riding the trail. Each year thousands head out to explore the trail - this is what they see.https://www.s. This looks like a fun hike to undertake in the UK! Miserable goes way beyond sad it means absolutely wretched. As someone who believed walking poles were exclusively for douchebags and grandparents, Im holding up my hands and confessing to being a convert. Id suggest bringing a buff and a warm hat you can pull over your ears to give your face a break on especially windy days. The chalk rock of the South Downs was formed from the remains of sea creatures at a time when this area was the bed of a shallow sea during the Late Cretaceous period 66 to 100 million years ago. Route: The South Downs Way is well signposted and easy to follow. This trail is so beautiful! Thanks for sharing, Fred :-). salaire d'un enseignant du primaire au cameroun; urgent care in cambridge ohio. The South Downs Way is a 100-mile National Trails walking path in the UK. HIKE, BIKE, OR RIDE THE SOUTH DOWNS WAY. The climb was rewarded by views inland across the Sussex Weald to the North Downs, and south to the sea at Newhaven. Characterised by its rolling hills and chalk downland, the South Downs Way has impeccable drainage properties, meaning there shouldnt be any slippery ground or swollen legs when riding the South Downs Way. Ultra hikers and runners often cover the distance in a 2-day 100mile challenge (hats off to them!). South Downs: England's Mountains Green. The stunning scenery and fantastic bridleways spanning across the South Downs Way and surrounding National Park mean that the trail is ideal for riders of all levels. The owner really helped to make our visit perfect. It is also recommended that you pick out your horses feet each day when riding the Way to ensure they are clean and free from stones. The South Downs National Park welcomes visitors from across the country, and the world to experience its natural wonder, far-reaching views and endless skies (on a good day of course!). Otherwise, this list should cover everything you need. I suggest going outside of school holidays if you can and avoiding any bank holiday weekends. I'm Lauren, the founder of Never Ending Footsteps. Or you can subscribe to my YouTube channel. Im actually intending to walk the trial with an off-road buggy later this year and will be blogging about my experience. If you get stuck for shops a good idea is to stay a night in a cheap b&b and ask if you can send them a resupply box in advance. As long as youre prepared for the tough surfaces, youre going to have a great experience. As I mentioned at the start of this post, the South Downs Way is regarded as one of the easiest of the 16 National Trails. I used to spend family holidays at the seaside in the U.K., so it filled me with a certain amount of nostalgia. On one day, I walked the vast majority of the path alone. The pubs can be a little pricey and can get booked up in the busy season (mostly summer holidays) so you may want to make reservations in advance. Day three: 28 miles to Winchester (25 miles on the trail). The hills on the coastal section of the hike can feel a little endless at times lots of up and down. Day 6: Alfriston to Eastbourne (13 miles)Staying at: Albert & Victoria (77 for 2 including breakfast.an AMAZING hotel!!). The trail can be really busy during sunny weekends. Text settings. These 2 guys walked it while pushing a pram for their dogs! Duration: 8 to 10 days. 8 days is a reasonable target for most people with reasonable fitness . The recommended time to walk the South Downs Way is 8 days, with an average of 12.5miles/20km a day. Counting every gram and dont want to over pack if i dont need to. Thats part of long-distance hiking though so just embrace the extra wanders into the nearby villages. And if there werent? Even Google maps have the South Downs Way! Difficulty level: easy to moderate. Plus, its location in the south of England meant that we would be more likely to encounter dry weather. Typically the ideal route length is 4 days averaging around 25 miles per day. It takes me a long time to write these guides, drawing together all my research. When you picture stereotypical scenes of the English countryside, they probably originate from the South Downs Way. South Downs Eco Lodge & Camping. Why? You can also ride the route on a horse! Although there are long-distance car parking options in Winchester, Id urge you to do your bit for the environment and take the train. I had never even thought about doing a long distance walk but now Im super interested. The South Downs Way --Submitted by Mark Worthington. Whatever you use, make sure you take a battery pack (I always use an Anker pack) as having a fully charged phone is essential for safety as well as useful should you need to check things like opening times or to call a pub to make a reservation. I felt like I was walking through a postcard for much of our journey. Sounds so incredible. There are 1200km of bridleways spreading through the National Park for riders to enjoy - everything from a gentle trot along a country track to a hack up to the top of the Downs. For experienced walkers that enjoy a challenge, this itinerary allows you to complete the whole South Downs Way in 6 walking days. Day 2: Cheriton to Petersfield 13 miles Camping at Wetherdown Camping (Droxford Rd, East Meon, Petersfield, Hants, GU32 1HR) close to the trail. Thank you , Your email address will not be published. Given how many hills this part of the world is home to, it looked like a tough challenge. Day 7: Lewes to Seaford 18 milesCamping at Foxhole campsite (Seven Sisters Country Park, Exceat, Seaford, East Sussex, BN25 4AG) close to the trail. In this guide I cover everything you need to know to do the hike yourself from details on camping and accommodation options, wild camping choices, costs, what you need to pack, food, top tips and the best South Downs Way route planners. If you do only one day of the South Downs Way, make it this one. Just one point, in the East to West/West to East section you state that East to West is the best way, but you describe the West to East route in the paragraph. If you are attempting the South Downs Way in stages, be sure to remind whoever is collecting you at the next stop to bring water for your horse before you load them. Just search restaurant and it will highlight all the cafes and food options in your area. I use the money to pay for hosting and domain fees to keep the site running. Whether you are a total beginner or an experienced rider, the South Downs Way awaits you. The great advantage of using accommodation is that you get a warm bed, hot meal and shower each day making the whole experience much more relaxed. The South Downs Way Is Beyond Miserable FOR SALE!. Birds fill woods and gardens with song in spring, while a relay of snowdrops, daffodils, and bluebells brighten verges and woodlands. A tough mum covered the full distance with her children and a buggy carrying all their items, Champing: a guide to camping in ancient churches, contingency its always good to have a contingency in the budget, 200 should be plenty for their hike to account for any unplanned taxis or accommodation if needed. arduino credit card skimmer. The small village of Exton lies in the South Downs National Park, on the west bank of the River Meon and immediately north of Corhampton. We mark out potential spots for wild camping, and discuss how far we can . Walk amongst vibrant yellow fields of corn, along picturesque . When is the best time to walk the South Downs Way? Thanks for reading :-). If you want to say thanks, you can buy me a coffee! the south downs way is beyond miserable . Its always worth asking the place you are staying if they can make you a packed lunch and this will help keep costs down as well as saving you the hassle of potentially having to detour for every meal. We encountered far more cyclists than walkers, but only a handful of horse riders. Hi! Winchester is a wonderful city thats regularly voted once of the best places to live in the country; Eastbourne has to be seen to be believed. If you are planning on doing the SDW all in one go, then you will need to arrange accommodation that offers appropriate food and water for your horse. If you are planning on walking the South Downs Way while camping en route, heres a suggested itinerary you might like to follow. Not all rides need to be on the path, why not take a leisurely tour between scenic villages on your road or regular bile. I decided I wanted to stretch myself more as a hiker and to try a multi-day hike..specifically one that was wild camping. Thanks Shaun.happy it has helped with the planning! If you are an experienced hiker, you may want to look at doing the trail over 5-6 days to make the distances each day a bit more challenging. It also means you only need to carry a day pack with you. The rooms are comfortable, if a little dated, and the large TVs were great for watching England beat New Zealand in the Cricket World Cup sucks to be Dave. If you want to find more inspiration on doing the distance with wheels or a pram, check out: Once youve finished the South Downs Way, youll probably be ready to start planning your next multi-day hike (theyre quite addictive!). Most people spend 7 or 8 days walking the whole South Downs Way. Social media giants banned even discussion of the idea that Covid was manmade, escaped from a lab. Hadrians Wall is a little easier in terms of walking surface, so you could also do a few days of that. Stretching the full width of the South Downs National Park, the trail starts in Winchester, Hampshire. the south downs way is beyond miserable. While blisters tend to go numb after ten minutes of walking, the exact opposite occurs on the soles of your feet when walking on a rigid surface. It's the only one of 16 National Trails contained entirely within a national park. Well.the simple answer is yes. Most of the places were happy to fill our bottles for free. Website Design, Build & Digital Marketing by WRD. It wasnt rare for us to walk for a couple of hours without seeing another human. Instead, I recommend looking at the Osprey Eja, which is another fantastic Osprey backpack that Ive owned and love. Although the quiet is nice, people watching can also be very entertaining! Take a Look at our recommended walks. East Meon to South Harting: 12.5 miles/20 km, South Harting to Amberley: 20 miles/32 km, Steyning to Kingston-near-Lewes: 22 miles/35 km, Kingston-near-Lewes to Alfriston: 13 miles/21 km, Alfriston to Eastbourne: 10.5 miles/17 km. Start and finish: Winchester and Eastbourne. Theyll help your feet so much! Thanks for sharing! Designated a National Trail, the South Downs Way attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year each looking to get a taste of the stunning South Downs National Park. There are also a few cafes where you can treat yourself to a hot drink and ice cream. "Each indulgence in pleasure is an appointment made with misery.". Hi Bex, love your website and specific detail on the South Down Way. I started doing some research last night and saw Hadrians Wall and the Thames Path both come up. Heres one for all my solo women out there: the South Downs Way felt extremely safe to walk alone. I couldnt get enough of the scenery on the South Downs Way, and it proved to me that my home country is prettier than Ive always believed. Where the only decision you have to make is which excellent pub to eat your meals in. The trail is 160km long and stretches from Winchester in Hampshire to Eastbourne in East Sussex. The hospices of Sussex are dedicated to providing specialist end-of-life care. The park is bountiful with many places to stay including hotels, bunkhouses, Bed and Breakfasts, campsites and even yurts and shepherds huts. Best camping, glamping, and outdoor stays in South Downs National Park. I settled on the South Downs Way because I knew the navigation was easy and there were no major climbs. The South Downs Way isn't a particularly high-elevation hike, but that doesn't mean there aren't great views. :D. The yha hostels on the SDW are excellent. Take any sanitary products away with you to dispose of when you next pass a bin. Amberley:A Barn at South Downs This is a great place to stay, with a lovely pub within walking distance you can probably tell what my priority was on this walk. The South Downs Way is a long distance footpath in Southern England and is one of Britain's National Trails. I loved this pair from Black Diamond! But maybe not quite 20 mile days! The room was spacious with an en-suite bathroom, supplies for breakfast, and a little terrace to sit out on. Ive done long sections of this walk and Im now going to be completing the final 40 miles (Steyning area to Eastbourne) over two days in 2 weeks time. We recommend spraying your horse with fly spray, especially in the Summer months, to ensure both horse and rider are comfortable and safe throughout. Friends of Sussex Hospices has . The route provides the visitor with the opportunity "to get away from it all" without having to travel too far in this busy part of England. 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