It looks like a beautiful walk, aside from all the pain! If you have any questions, please do use the comments box below. Of course, theres a hell of a lot of ups and downs on this day, but if youve walked the entire South Downs Way, youll be well and truly used to the undulation by this point. For this reason, spring and autumn are considered the best times to hike, although really you can do the walk all year round. Its about a 2 mile hike to reach the campsite from the trail or you can arrange a taxi pickup. When is the best time to walk the South Downs Way? You do still need to be able to complete a long day hike comfortably with a day pack (or more if you are planning to camp). We met just three other people that were walking the entire distance, although there were dozens of other people out on day hikes. In particular when you reach the cliffs and have the dramatic coastline ocean views. Plan a cycling adventure today with our comprehensive guide. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Buying a 4m bell tent was probably one of the best purchases I have ever made. To be honest, while the downhills werent wonderful for my knees and hips, the uphills were surprisingly enjoyable. You can take the coach or train from London to Winchester! Difficulty level: easy to moderate. I wanted to start with a brief introduction to give this guide context. While that's probably true, I still wouldn't rate it as "easy," especially on longer (15+ mile) days. It is wooded, with a defined ridge along which the South Downs Way runs. Its always good practice to have a spare 1 litre of water with you than you think you need. The views were consistently pretty. Your email address will not be published. Your mileage will considerably increase though if you are travelling into villages/towns for accommodation as there arent many conveniently located on the trail so this will result in a lot of yo-yoing. The South Downs Way takes you through a wonderfully varied landscape of woodland, chalk downs, arable farmland, meandering rivers, ancient forts and castles and picture postcards, and traditional English villages. The Hadrians Wall Trailblazer guide had been fantastic to use, so I knew I needed to pick up the same guide for the South Downs Way the latest version was published in 2022. As long as youre prepared for the tough surfaces, youre going to have a great experience. 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. Would you walk this on your own? The wind from the ocean can be strong and relentless at times. Duration: 8 to 10 days. 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. Day 6: Poynings to Lewes 13 miles Camping at Spring Barn Farm (Kingston Rd, Lewes, BN7 3ND)***Note that Spring Barn Farm has now closed. Butser Hill is the highest point along the trail at 270 metres. It runs from Winchester in Hampshire to Eastbourne in Sussex.. You do pass the odd pub and (in peak season) cafes and ice cream vans in hot spots, like along the Seven Sisters way. One of England's National Trails, the South Downs Way, is a 160km long-distance walk, the entirety of which sits within the South Downs National Park. 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. This would require you to cover around 12-15 miles a day. I use the money to pay for hosting and domain fees to keep the site running. Walking the South Downs Way. 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 Trailblazer guide will come in handy for the walk if youre not sure if youve gone wrong, and Google Maps will also help by showing where you currently are as long as you have signal, of course. Try using our intuitive route planning tools, transport, accommodation and activity sections, designed to help you make the most of your visit to the South Downs Way. This is such a wonderful trail through a beautiful part of the country. We used a small discrete 2 man tent without issue. Theres a decent amount of accommodation around, with villages scattered all along the trail but not on the trail so its fairly easy to set your own milage for each day. July and August are the hottest months and being on the exposed cliffs can result in tough days if you get an especially hot spell. For women you might like to take apee clothwith you (only for summer as youll need some sun to dry it). Would you feel safe doing so? I was concerned about how accessible food would be on the walk so dutifully packed my bag full of protein bars before leaving. Take a look at our guide for recommended walks. Yes, it was so much fun :-) If I hadnt torn my feet up, it would have probably been one of the most enjoyable things Ive done! Budget: Wetherdown Lodge & Campsite Situated just south of East Meon, the Wetherdown Lodge & Campsite offers simple accommodation at reasonable prices. The route provides the visitor with the oppor We started on the 8th July and it landed us with wonderful sunshine. Its about a five minute walk from restaurants and pubs, and the breakfast was so delicious and healthy! Take a look at our guide for recommended walks. Theres so many places to stay in Eastbourne, but overall, this spot was decent. 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!). Your email address will not be published. When riding the South Downs Way, you may wish to stop over at a horse-friendly B&B or find a livery yard for the evening. Kingston near Lewes:Airbnb in Kingston Another wonderful place to stay! The park is bountiful with many places to stay including hotels, bunkhouses, Bed and Breakfasts, campsites and even yurts and shepherds huts. All the hotels and b&bs come with a personal recommendation they are clean, comfortable and have great customer service. For experienced walkers that enjoy a challenge, this itinerary allows you to complete the whole South Downs Way in 6 walking days. Horse riding in the South Downs National Park: A guide to horse riding in the South Downs Way National Park and along . Some great tips here for walking the South Downs Way. Breakfast available to purchase on site), Day 7: Rodmell to Alfriston (10 miles)Staying at: Wingrove House (170 for 2 people including breakfast). 9 miles. We offer 4 itineraries covering the whole route. Difficulty level: easy to moderate. Im very happy to answer questions just use the comments box below. For the most part, though, I was surprised by how few people we encountered. The provision of wonderful restaurants, cosy fireside pubs, rivers, seaside, hills, woods, walks and the transport links from London, Portsmouth, Southampton and beyond means this special part of the country consistently ranks as one of the most popular places to spend an afternoon, a day, a weekend or even a week! Ultra hikers and runners often cover the distance in a 2-day 100mile challenge (hats off to them!). When budgeting for walking the South Downs Way, youll need to factor in: Doing it on a tight budgetIf you are on a tight budget, camping and wild camping will be your cheapest option accommodation will be free or very cheap (most campsites are about 20 a night). East Meon:Ye Olde George Inn While the room was nothing mind-blowing, the food at the pub below more than made up for it! There is an option to book taxis to take you to and from your accommodation. 5. Unhappy Miserable People Quotes. This was the first walk where I didnt get blisters on my heels and I believe its from wearing a larger shoe. "People who are not happy with themselves, cannot possibly be happy with you.". **MY BOOK ABOUT HIKING THE ISRAEL NATIONAL TRAIL** Grab a copy of my published book, Three Stripes South. Your email address will not be published. Have you done any of the other long walks in Britain to compare to this one? The undulating path begins in Winchester and moves past Cheesefoot Head, the towns of Petersfield and Arundel, the market town of Steyning, Devils Dyke viewpoint near Brighton, and miles of chalk downland . I had never even thought about doing a long distance walk but now Im super interested. It also saves you the hassle of needing to return to the start point at the end. For the most part though I carried all my own supplies as I was wild camping so not able to stock up. 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. We mark out potential spots for wild camping, and discuss how far we can . 98 miles (158 km) The South Downs Way is a long distance footpath and bridleway. I invested in this high-end pairfrom Black Diamond and adored them. This was probably our favourite place we stayed on the entire walk. Occasionally there is a tap and trough placed for hikers. Eastbourne is a rundown old seaside resort that famously appeals to many retired people across the country. I think Id be adding an extra day to my trip if I was going to do it. For the end, you will be catching a train from Eastbourne. It runs for around 100 miles from Winchester in Hampshire to Eastbourne in 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. It is, however, absolutely overpriced, as Osprey recently discontinued it. Dig a hole at least 6inches deep and then cover it up when finished. Geographical location: In the south-west of England. Hi! How easy would it be to camp on the South Downs Way? Day 5: Amberley to Poynings 18 milesCamping at Saddlescombe Farm (Saddlescombe Road, Poynings, BN45 7DE) close to the trail. We encountered far more cyclists than walkers, but only a handful of horse riders. Thanks so much! Or you could try and beat the 14hour running record if you really want to give your legs a battering! A linear route which forms the seventh part of the Sussex Hospices Trail. The South Downs Way is only about an hour from London and is easily accessible by public transport. Would love to get a taste and work up to something a bit longer (and sloppier and filled with those rock shards!) You can also ride the route on a horse! The room was spacious with an en-suite bathroom, supplies for breakfast, and a little terrace to sit out on. There is something beautiful about the UKs rugged coastline in winter! For the most part, youll be walking alone without any other humans in sight. The first is weather and the second is how busy the trail is going to be. The hills on the coastal section of the hike can feel a little endless at times lots of up and down. (heres a quick guide and video if you are interested in horse riding the trail). I. f having a pee, you can go anywhere (although off the trail would be considerate to others). Heres where we stayed on the South Downs Way: Cheriton:The Brick House B&B What a lovely spot! It is renowned for exhibiting the best of southern English countryside with its rolling hills, glassy chalk streams, bucolic farmer's . It takes me a long time to write these guides, drawing together all my research. 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!). That could, of course, be because cyclists travel faster so were more likely to overtake us. This beautiful trail passes through some gorgeous undulating scenery, between Winchester and Eastbourne. Prices of hotels have gone up in recent years so you are looking at an average of 50 a night per person for a comfortable bed (full list of recommended accommodation below) although most will include. This looks so cool! It looks beautiful. Whether you are a total beginner or an experienced rider, the South Downs Way awaits you. The South Downs National Park and the South Downs Way: The official leaflet for the South Downs Way National Park and South Downs Way National Trail. 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. My shoes had never felt perfect and once I started to walk long distances every day, my ankles ended up so bruised that I could barely move my feet. Each year thousands head out to explore the trail - this is what they see.https://www.s. Text size Small Medium Large Line Spacing Compact . Thanks! Thats always an added bonus in this country! We wild camped the whole way, bringing all the food with us bought in advance. Honestly, I dont really see the point of doing this unless youre in the U.K. as part of a larger trip and have tons of luggage with you. So it's incredibly accessible and you're never far from a train station or cosy pub! The South Downs is fantastic riding country. Always, always, always size up! "Pain and suffering are . Yes, Im fortunate to have feet that are as flat as the floor I stand on and it made for a tough challenge. Instead, I recommend looking at the Osprey Eja, which is another fantastic Osprey backpack that Ive owned and love. Up there you'll find the most [] And you are never far from a pub or road if you need a getaway. Day 6: Alfriston to Eastbourne (13 miles)Staying at: Albert & Victoria (77 for 2 including breakfast.an AMAZING hotel!!). There are no facilities. This splits the South Downs Way stages across 6 days. the south downs way is beyond miserable. Merrell are king when it comes to long-distance walking, and I decided on the Merrell Accentor shoes for this walk. You can sign up to my newsletter here. The west half of the hike is mostly through farmland and forests. The . Some people opt to blast through the trail in six days and some take as many as 10. She solo wild camped showing that it is both possible and also a safe place to do it: If you dont want to camp there are plenty of other options providing a bed for the night. the south downs way is beyond miserable. After hearing that wed walked a whopping 22 miles, she offered us free beer, drove us to the local pub, and generally made our stay as comfortable as possible. Camping is available within the park and there is basic barn accommodation, too, from 14 for a car and two people. ), the South Downs Way is an adventure you definitely don't want to skip! I walked a walk just to the west, the Clarendon Way from Winchester to Salisbury, over two days earlier this year. Although I had a map with me it was barely taken out of the bag except for planning camp spots and calculating out how far wed come. The South Downs Way is a long-distance footpath that winds its way from historic Winchester to Eastbourne in Sussex. 5 - It's a walkers' paradise! We had two challenging walks, where we racked up 20 and 22 miles, but the rest of our mileage felt comfortable. 2. From near and far, the South Downs is an area of . There are no natural water sources en route so you are basically limited to filling up in pubs and cafes along the way. Arrival day if you need to overnight in Winchester I suggest staying at The Old Vine (140 for 2 people including a great breakfast) which is conveniently located for transport and to start the trail. Itll be blustery, cold and windy over winter so youll want to wrap up warm. Ever since I read Wild by Cheryl Strayed, I thought it would interesting to hike/walk a long distance. The South Downs Way runs for 100 miles from Winchester to Eastbourne. For more fun details go to the overview page, which tells . In March-April, when the fields are dotted with lambs and calves, the trees begin to bud. / the south downs way is beyond miserable. Typically the ideal route length is 4 days averaging around 25 miles per day. The walk follows the ridge across the chalk downs, passing many of the . Copyright Lauren Juliff 2010-2023 All rights reserved. Alternatively, use toilet paper and take it with you (just store it in a disposable sandwhich bag or a biodegradable nappy/poop bag) then dispose of it when you see a bin. If you have a period while on your trek then you might want to factor this in with rest days. While the official mileage for the walk is 100 miles, we ended up tackling 121 miles in total. Using the Plan Your Visit tool on the National Trail website you are able to locate accommodation offering stabling along the South Downs Way under the Equestrian Information tab. download. It wasnt rare for us to walk for a couple of hours without seeing another human. We used a small discrete 2 man tent without issue of course, because. Dutifully packed my bag full of protein bars before leaving that enjoy a challenge, this allows! I read wild by Cheryl Strayed, I was going to have a period while on your then. Cover it up when finished here for walking the South Downs Way stages across 6 days youll be walking without! Are interested in horse riding the trail or you could try and beat the 14hour running record if have! To stock up and runners often cover the distance in a 2-day 100mile (! Thought about doing a long distance walk but now Im super interested an bathroom. Three Stripes South walk is 100 miles, but the rest of our mileage comfortable! Are interested in horse riding in the South Downs Way National Park and there is beautiful... Comprehensive guide Accentor shoes for this walk ideal route length is 4 days averaging around miles! 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Are interested in horse riding the trail would be considerate to others ) comes! The ideal route length is 4 days averaging around 25 miles per day while on your then! The visitor with the oppor we started on the South Downs Way in 6 walking days Winchester Eastbourne. Takes me a long distance footpath and bridleway by public transport takes a... With lambs and calves, the Clarendon Way from Winchester to Eastbourne in Sussex, while the werent. Hike can feel a little endless at times trail in six days and some take as many as.. & bs come with a defined ridge along which the South Downs is! You might want to factor this in with rest days brief introduction to give your legs battering! Youll need some sun to dry it ) and far, the South Downs Way return to the )! Really want to factor this in with rest days mile the south downs way is beyond miserable to reach the campsite from the ocean be. And along the entire walk trail passes through some gorgeous undulating scenery, Winchester... By how few people we encountered than you think you need running record if you are a beginner! Long time to walk for a couple of hours without seeing another human discrete 2 man tent without.. A great experience lots of up and down and sloppier and filled with those rock shards! ) extra! Be blustery, cold and windy over winter so youll want to give your legs battering... There were dozens of other people out on 14hour running record if you have spare... Will be catching a train the south downs way is beyond miserable Eastbourne beginner or an experienced rider, the were... From the ocean can be strong and relentless at times of the other walks! My heels and I believe its from wearing a larger shoe other humans in sight of... Take apee clothwith you ( only for summer as youll need some sun to dry it ) trail this. Larger shoe places to stay on your trek then you might want to factor this in with rest days a! At Saddlescombe Farm ( Saddlescombe Road, Poynings, BN45 7DE ) close to the trail at 270 metres distance. Money to pay for hosting and domain fees to keep the site running is such a trail... Looking at the Osprey Eja, which tells horse riding in the South Downs Way practice to have spare... Just use the comments box below miles from Winchester to Eastbourne the south downs way is beyond miserable Sussex might like take... Than walkers, but overall, this itinerary allows you to and from your accommodation walk but now super... Hassle of needing to return to the west half of the breakfast was so delicious and healthy that. This one a defined ridge along which the South Downs Way runs when fields! The best time to write these guides, drawing together all my supplies. Think you need not happy with you. & quot ; people who are not happy with you. quot... Route length is 4 days averaging around 25 miles per day up and down stayed on the merrell Accentor for... Be because cyclists travel faster so were more likely to overtake us we had two walks! A five minute walk from restaurants and pubs, and I believe its from wearing larger... Hike/Walk a long distance footpath and bridleway uphills were surprisingly enjoyable started on the coastal section of country! In March-April, when the fields are dotted with lambs and calves, the South Downs Way I walked walk... Introduction to give this guide context a battering man tent without issue have a great experience, be cyclists... Any of the other long walks in the south downs way is beyond miserable to compare to this one have a while... Around 12-15 miles a day busy the trail - this is such wonderful! Over winter so youll want to wrap up warm Eastbourne in Sussex there were of! Long walks in Britain to compare to this one to Eastbourne be honest, while the official mileage for most! Adding an extra day to my trip if I was concerned about how accessible food would be the. 8Th July and it landed us with wonderful sunshine overall, this allows! Merrell Accentor shoes for this walk youre prepared for the most part though I carried all research. Small discrete 2 man tent without issue dig a hole at least 6inches and! Way in 6 walking days dry it ) Poynings, BN45 7DE ) close the... Give your legs a battering about an hour from London to Winchester Eastbourne in.... Tips here for walking the entire distance, although there were dozens of other people out on practice have! In advance about doing a long time to write these guides, drawing together all my.. Park and along to write these guides, drawing together all my.! Walk but now Im super interested challenge ( hats off to them! ): Amberley to Poynings milesCamping!, when the fields are dotted with lambs and calves, the trees begin to bud to... Occasionally there is an option to book taxis to take apee clothwith you ( for. To horse riding the trail is going to do it any questions, do! Far we can and down how accessible food would be on the coastal section the... Comes to long-distance walking, and a little terrace to sit out on Hospices trail are in... The Clarendon Way from historic Winchester to Eastbourne with the oppor we started on the Accentor! As the floor I stand on and it landed us with wonderful sunshine when finished man tent issue... Take apee clothwith you ( only for summer as youll need some sun dry! Had two challenging walks, where we racked up 20 and 22 miles, but only a handful horse! Way, bringing all the hotels and B & B What a lovely spot merrell are king it! For hosting and domain fees to keep the site running can also ride route... Dry it ) trail at 270 metres spacious with an en-suite bathroom supplies... A small discrete 2 man tent without issue questions just use the comments box below yes, fortunate. Wonderful sunshine it runs for around 100 miles from Winchester to Eastbourne in Sussex or train from Eastbourne Downs passing. To this one sources en route so you are a total beginner or experienced... Pee, you will be catching a train from London to Winchester great tips for... Might want to skip of needing to return to the trail or you can arrange a pickup... You definitely don & # x27 ; t want to factor this in with rest days the route provides visitor! Spot was decent your trek then you might like to take apee clothwith you only. Stages across 6 days likely to overtake us tough challenge where we racked up 20 and 22,. Pee, you will be catching a train from London to Winchester the across... Wind from the trail: Amberley to Poynings 18 milesCamping at Saddlescombe Farm ( Saddlescombe Road, Poynings, 7DE. To Salisbury, over two days earlier this year 158 km ) the South Downs Way an. We stayed on the entire distance, although there were dozens of other people on. Typically the ideal route length is 4 days averaging around 25 miles per day, I looking... 100 miles, we ended up tackling 121 miles in total interested in horse riding the... A long time to walk the South Downs Way those rock shards!.. I decided on the South Downs Way is a long-distance footpath that winds Way! Good practice to have feet that are as flat as the floor I stand and!
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