If we were staying in a pub, wed simply walk downstairs to eat. Imagine slapping your feet down on a hard, uneven surface for ten hours straight and you have some idea of how painful the walk can be for your arches. That means that theyve adapted all stiles and ensured the track is suitable for wheels the whole way. Home chevron_right Activities chevron_right Riding the South Downs Way. Really friendly owners, a large breakfast, and a good location, close to the waterfront. arduino credit card skimmer. The walk follows the ridge across the chalk downs, passing many of the . 26. 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. Keep this in mind when planning out your days, as it quickly adds up. It looks beautiful so probably worth all of the foot pain! Western Downs: Harting Downs to Treyford Hill. If you have a period while on your trek then you might want to factor this in with rest days. If hiking in peak season you will be able to make use of the occasional pub and cafe (although youll be expected to buy something if you do use the facilities). heres a quick guide and video if you are interested in horse riding the trail. 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. Start/finish: Plough and Harrow, Litlington . 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. The South Downs is a national park in South East England. Stop anywhere in the South Downs and it is hard not to find an inspiring view. This splits the South Downs Way stages across 6 days. Itll be blustery, cold and windy over winter so youll want to wrap up warm. Whether you choose to hack the South Downs Way one part at a time or feel confident enough to attempt the whole trail at once, you should be prepared in the way of horsebox or trailer parking facilities, find a selection of useful information below. However, because most of the trail follows the top of a ridge, most accommodation options are down in the valleys below, requiring an extra mile or so of hiking to and from the trail. Looks great! download. Walking conditions are reasonably easy due to the fast draining chalk, though some sections are steep. We used a small discrete 2 man tent without issue. Of course, this figure is trail distance only as most walkers stay in accommodation located another few miles away from the Way. Walking the South Downs Way. 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 always recommend Osprey backpacks because they come with a lifetime guarantee Osprey will repair or replace any of their backpacks for any reason, even if you bought it back in 1975. Now is the time to indulge yourself in a little piece of the South Downs Way, whether by foot, wheel or hoof. Characterised by its rolling hills and chalk downland, the South Downs Way has impeccable drainage properties, meaning . 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. the south downs way is beyond miserable. Although if this isnt possible, just embrace the crowds as you near the sea. There is something beautiful about the UKs rugged coastline in winter! 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 100 miles (160 Km) long South Downs Way National Trail follows the old routes and droveways along the chalk escarpment and ridges of the South Downs. The British summer can always be temperamental, so I know we had a fair bit of luck. The Osprey Lumina is part of their ultra-lightweight range (it weighs just 770 grams!) 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. 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. Day 1: Winchester to East Meon (18 miles)Staying at: Angel Cottage B&B (58 for 2 including breakfast) perfectly located on the SDW. :D. The yha hostels on the SDW are excellent. The ride from Arundel at the southern edge of the South Downs, through the villages of Petworth and Northchapel to the north showcases why this is such a special part of the world. I loved Winchester and wished Id had more time to explore its beautiful buildings. Youve convinced me! If one were coming from the US, how would they get to the trail? This website is the result of tens of thousands of hours of on-the-ground research by myself and my team of expert travellers. 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. I suggest going outside of school holidays if you can and avoiding any bank holiday weekends. Merrell are king when it comes to long-distance walking, and I decided on the Merrell Accentor shoes for this walk. Even Google maps have the South Downs Way! The South Downs Way is a long distance footpath in Southern England and is one of Britain's National Trails. South Downs Way - 8 Days & 7 Nights. 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. Excellent blog Bex, Im looking forward to doing the trail in a couple of weeks time. Great write-up it made me feel as though I was walking the South Downs Way alongside you! "Pain and suffering are . I loved this pair from Black Diamond! The park comprises of an area of chalk upland which stretches from Winchester in Hampshire, through West Sussex to Eastbourne in East Sussex. Best camping, glamping, and outdoor stays in South Downs National Park. Each year thousands head out to explore the trail - this is what they see.https://www.s. 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. This is especially so for the Beachy Head/Seven Sisters section. Heres where we stayed on the South Downs Way: Cheriton:The Brick House B&B What a lovely spot! For the most part, though, I was surprised by how few people we encountered. For something fancier, I can suggest heading to Skylar which is a beautiful restaurant. Its about a 2 mile hike to reach the campsite from the trail or you can arrange a taxi pickup. 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. 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. Walk from the NT car park east along South Downs Way to Treyford and Didling Hills, via Beacon Hill and Pen Hill; back via Hooksway, Millpond Bottom, Little Round Down and Whitcombe Bottom. Someone who's miserable feels absolutely awful. Copyright Lauren Juliff 2010-2023 All rights reserved. We recommend spraying your horse with fly spray, especially in the Summer months, to ensure both horse and rider are comfortable and safe throughout. 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. 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. This long-distance footpath is 100 miles, or 160 kilometres, and is full of stunning countryside, spectacular views on the coast, beautiful parks (including Queen Elizabeth Country Park), and lovely villages with cozy pubs. theo coumbis lds; the south downs way is beyond miserable; 30 . The trail is favoured by National Trail 'baggers', solo walkers, first-timers, and those who are simply looking for a walking holiday in a peaceful yet historical corner of England. Total length: 160km. The eastern end finishes at the sea from east of Brighton Marina to Eastbourne. 8-9 days is a good estimate to walk the entire route at an easy pace. At the time we were living in London and this made it easy to get to and from the start via public transport. Would you have a recommendation for a beginners long walk trail in the UK or Europe? 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. The leaflets listed below are available to download as pdf files. Your feet are going to get hot and sweaty and expand in size when youre walking long distances, so to prevent blisters, you should always wear a shoe thats a size bigger. The South Downs Way Route. The Trailblazer guide has a mileage chart at the back that tells you the exact distance between towns, so you can work out the total distance in advance. You can walk the Hangers Way, a 21 mile path from Alton to Queen Elizabeth Country Park through Selborne, Steep and Petersfield. When you picture stereotypical scenes of the English countryside, they probably originate from the South Downs Way. Dinners were easily accessible, too. The room was spacious with an en-suite bathroom, supplies for breakfast, and a little terrace to sit out on. Your email address will not be published. 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. The park has a resident population of around 110,000 people and 125,000 sheep. It'. Subscribe to leave a comment. 98 miles (158 km) The South Downs Way is a long distance footpath and bridleway. What a great article Im not British and had never heard of the South Downs Way before your recent posts, and I am really enjoying learning about it in so much detail! I also have really flat feet, but I used to run (like a zillion years ago now) so I think I could handle it. All the hotels and b&bs come with a personal recommendation they are clean, comfortable and have great customer service. It runs for around 100 miles from Winchester in Hampshire to Eastbourne in Sussex. I am a NYer and love walking everywhere so this has made be consider a new vacation option! We loved our hike although it wasnt without its challenges. South Downs: England's Mountains Green. Cancel any time. However, your horse should be comfortable carrying you for the majority of the day. Hiking poles will help you conserve energy, keep your weight off your hips and knees, and help so much on the uphill and downhill. Probably the most comfortable backpack Ive ever worn. 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. Thanks for sharing, Fred :-). Rod Liddle is associate editor of The Spectator. Very useful article and it left me smiling at your very great photos. The wind from the ocean can be strong and relentless at times. From near and far, the South Downs is an area of . Camping is available within the park and there is basic barn accommodation, too, from 14 for a car and two people. Steyning:Uppingham B&B Such a lovely owner and bright, airy room! Tackle the South Downs Way, the trail on which walkers, cyclists, and equestrians can explore the 99-mile (160-kilometer) length of the national park from Winchester to the chalk cliffs of Beachy . Awesome website! Theres great recommendations on pubs to eat in, perfect lunch stops along the way, and accommodation to stop off at. 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. I loved the simplicity of a long-distance walk, where youre offline and immersed in your destination, where the only thing you have to worry about is putting one foot in front of the other. Day 4: Chichester to Amberley 13 miles (Camping wild camp spot)Camping at High Tittern (High Tittern Lane, Amberley, grid ref. Your email address will not be published. License: CC BY-SA 3.0. 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. Website Design, Build & Digital Marketing by WRD. On one particular day, we happened to be walking during the South Down Century, where cyclists race across the full hundred miles in one day. Or you could try and beat the 14hour running record if you really want to give your legs a battering! Peter Owen-Jones takes us into the heart of the UK's newest national park - the South Downs - in a portrait of one of Britain's most iconic landscapes. Did you see anybody doing it while you were walking? The full trial has about 4,150m of ascent. These rocks were subsequently uplifted to form the Weald-Artois Anticline. I, however, recommend staying in as many pubs and B&Bs as possible the accommodation was one of the highlights of our walk! But with some considerations. Take a look at our guide for recommended walks. The east half is a bit more spectacular. Had some ice creams and lunch along the way and a bag of chips at the end. And lets face it: heading downstairs to have dinner is exactly whats needed after a long day of walking. We met just three other people that were walking the entire distance, although there were dozens of other people out on day hikes. Birds fill woods and gardens with song in spring, while a relay of snowdrops, daffodils, and bluebells brighten verges and woodlands. A great way to explore the South Downs is to purchase a Discovery Bus Ticket, which offers unlimited travel across the South Downs National Park and beyond. +44 (0)1323 870280; sevensisters.org.uk. It is, however, absolutely overpriced, as Osprey recently discontinued it. japanese mythology quiz; spanish slang for girl Most people opt for walking the South Downs Way at a gentler pace. Occasionally there is a tap and trough placed for hikers. 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). Search eBay faster with PicClick. Whether youre out for a gentle Sunday hack or prefer to use the bridleways of the South Downs Way to improve your horses fitness, there is something for everyone. Day three: 28 miles to Winchester (25 miles on the trail). The South Downs are designated as a national park. 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! The Birling Gap is one of best known parts of the south coast Credit: Getty. - Daniel Pipes. Your entire South Downs journey will surely be more than 100 miles! As with any other hack, we strongly recommend you bring your mobile phone, allowing you to contact someone for help should it be required. Unhappy Miserable People Quotes. For something fancier, I can suggest heading to Skylar which is a beautiful restaurant. Also check out my recently published book Three Stripes South, all about my first big adventure hiking the length of Israel. This was the first walk where I didnt get blisters on my heels and I believe its from wearing a larger shoe. The smell . But nothing steep or too big. We stayed at the Ecolodge while walking the South Downs Way. If you really want to experience the diversity of the South Downs national park (or you're just looking for a fun new challenge! I also invested in a new backpack for this walk and I freaking love it! The South Downs Way is a long distance walking trail that runs for 100 miles across the length of the South Downs. 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. Many hundreds of miles of single tracks and bridlepaths spurring from the South Downs Way means that the trail and National Park is a mecca for Mountain Bikers. The only thing youll have to look out for are the cows. For a quote you can contact info@southdownsdiscovery.com. Typically the ideal route length is 4 days averaging around 25 miles per day. We started on the 8th July and it landed us with wonderful sunshine. Winchester to Eastbourne in 6 Days Walking Code: SD7. 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 . Most people spend 7 or 8 days walking the whole South Downs Way. Originally from the U.K., I've now spent over a decade travelling the world with my Kiwi partner. 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