Whether you are a total beginner or an experienced rider, the South Downs Way awaits you. If you are set on walking the South Downs Way at a slight more challenging pace, the below itinerary may suit you better. My biggest recommendation is therefore to invest in gear for the walk several months before you intend on walking it, then practice, practice, practice to make sure its a perfect fit. But as anyone who has tried wild camping and a self-contained hike knows, there is some satisfaction to being out in the elements overnight.even if it does mean getting a bit wet! The South Downs Way runs for 100 miles from Winchester to Eastbourne. I can recomend checking out: Here are some useful links to other resources, as well as links to blogs to give you a different perspective from others who have hiked the route: Thank you for reading my guide and I hope it was helpful I really do love this hike and I hope this will make it easier for you to plan your own adventure. However, I have wild camped and found that if you are considerate and follow the rules, it is tolerated. The South Downs is a long range of chalk hills, and the trail runs largely along the top of them. 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. Hi Bex, love your website and specific detail on the South Down Way. Where the only decision you have to make is which excellent pub to eat your meals in. If you do only one day of the South Downs Way, make it this one. download. If one were coming from the US, how would they get to the trail? There was an-suite bathroom, an exceptionally comfortable bed, and a pub just a few metres away. I also enjoyed spending a night in Eastbourne after finishing my walk. The many hundreds of miles of single track and bridlepaths spurring from the South Downs Way the trail and National Park means it is not only a haven for horse riders but a mecca for Mountain Bikers. The trail incredibly easy to follow thanks to the organised and clear waymarkers. You should take away any toilet paper that you use. As for the pub in Amberley was that the George & Dragon, or the Bridge? I also highly, highly recommend taking walking poles with you. Walking the South Downs Way is a great option for anyone wanting an easy/moderate long-distance trail in the UK that can be completed in under 10 days, at a very chilled pace or a week if you want to move a bit quicker. The walk starts at Southease rail station, just the other side of the River Ouse from the lovely village of Southease, and follows the South Downs Way along the scarp slope of the downs all the way to Alfriston. Thanks for reading :-). japanese mythology quiz; spanish slang for girl A great way to spend time with family and a really good experience overall though I dont think I could have kept up the pace for another four days. Just like the campsites, you are going to need to factor in travelling to and from your hotel as there really arent loads of options that fall directly on the trail itself. The walk follows the ridge across the chalk downs, passing many of the . These 2 guys walked it while pushing a pram for their dogs! The trail stretches 100 miles from the historic city of Winchester to the coastal chalk hills on the South Coast. Your email address will not be published. It runs from Winchester in Hampshire to Eastbourne in Sussex.. We found the terrain to be easy underfoot and the sloping climbs manageable with our heavy packs containing all our camping gear and food. The South Downs Way Is Beyond Miserable FOR SALE!. The majority of the path is a bridleway and so can be used by horse . 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 . Off-road cyclists regularly complete the trail. Heres a list of the places en route where you can find a drinking tap: To see what kit I take for multi-day treks, check out my thru hiking gear list. I use the money to pay for hosting and domain fees to keep the site running. You can have a rough plan of how far you want to travel each day but can also just see how the day takes you, stopping when you find a suitable place to pitch your tents or bivvy bags. Plus, its location in the south of England meant that we would be more likely to encounter dry weather. / the south downs way is beyond miserable. Hmmm.. you could try just doing a couple of days of the South Downs Way to start with, rather than the entire thing. This Campsites South Downs Way directory lists all the campsites available near the trail. A more comfortable budgetIf you want to stay in hotels and b&bs and make the most of the delicious pub meals along the way, you are going to need a bigger budget. The older models that were removed from the front lines intact were sent to the training grounds. The South Downs Way is one of 16 National Trails in the UK. Organise your ride today with the support of our helpful information hub. I found that I drank so much more when I had a mouthpiece beside me at all times. Heres where we stayed on the South Downs Way: Cheriton:The Brick House B&B What a lovely spot! Because time was short, we opted to not do the full trail in one go and settled on a 50mile multi-day hike, from Amberley train station to Eastbourne. If you do not own your own horse but would still like to experience the joys of hacking the South Downs Way, there are a number of riding schools offering hacks on the South Downs National Park and surrounding areas. 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. If you really want to experience the diversity of the South Downs national park (or you're just looking for a fun new challenge! 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 a long distance walking trail that runs for 100 miles across the length of the South Downs. durham ontario police; does maddie know the killer in hush; The first is weather and the second is how busy the trail is going to be. 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. I also invested in an Osprey reservoir to slip inside it. When is the best time to walk the South Downs Way? The South Downs Way has become the first fully accessible national trail! Im on a mission to make getting outdoors and adventures as easy as possible by providing all the information you need to plan an adventure. 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. - Daniel Pipes. Are there any places that would recommend for lunch stops or cafes for takeaway on the route please? Shop the Largest Selection, Click to See! Especially on a hot day. The downside to having the views is that you are very exposed and this was our biggest challenge as we ended up hiking in some pretty poor weather (it was a rainy long weekend in May). You can pack wraps and tups of peanut butter for lunches, pasta, couscous or freeze-dried meals for dinner. Stop anywhere in the South Downs and it is hard not to find an inspiring view. I'm Lauren and I've been travelling the world on a permanent basis since 2011. In 2013, the Youth Hostels Association (YHA) spent 3m on renovating this 14th . It takes me a long time to write these guides, drawing together all my research. Best wishes. 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 did the dursleys go to escape the letters; the south downs way is beyond miserable; 30 . 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. the south downs way is beyond miserable. This took a bit of planning its especially important that you check opening times for cafes and pubs in advance. Of course, you can merge days to suit your walking pace: *please note distances are just an average*. For the most part, youll be walking alone without any other humans in sight. The South Downs Way is a 100-mile National Trails walking path in the UK. Read more Located within an hour of London, this delightful National Trail meanders along the crest of the Downs with far-reaching views over the patchwork fields, woods and villages of the Weald and southwards to . South Downs Way is a long thru hike and bridleway along the South Downs in the south of England. 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!). The park has a resident population of around 110,000 people and 125,000 sheep. Alfriston:The Star Inn The Star Inn is one of the oldest in the country and it has a fantastic pub to eat at. The South Downs stretches from Winchester in Hampshire to Eastbourne in Sussex, with the South Downs Way covering the 101 miles . Just search restaurant and it will highlight all the cafes and food options in your area. We encountered far more cyclists than walkers, but only a handful of horse riders. 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!). 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. Dont let that fool you, though: this walk is still challenging. Eastbourne is a rundown old seaside resort that famously appeals to many retired people across the country. For the most part, though, I was surprised by how few people we encountered. Is Rishi Sunaks Brexit deal all its cracked up to be? . Dave, it's fair to say, has thought of everything. Steve Maraboli, Unapologetically You: Reflections on Life and the Human Experience. And if there werent? You can also ride the route on a horse! Day 6: Alfriston to Eastbourne (13 miles)Staying at: Albert & Victoria (77 for 2 including breakfast.an AMAZING hotel!!). 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. Join my irregular bi-monthly(ish) newsletter. A cute, high-end pub with excellent food and lovely rooms out the back all en-suite. We really liked this B&B. The Osprey Lumina is part of their ultra-lightweight range (it weighs just 770 grams!) Fun fact: several years ago, I attempted to walk the length of Hadrians Walland ended up having to drop out on day three. That were removed from the front lines intact were sent to the trail incredibly easy to follow thanks the. Reservoir to slip inside it range of chalk hills, and a pub just a few away... 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