Stop anywhere in the South Downs and it is hard not to find an inspiring view. Camping is tricky as there arent lots within easy access to the trail. It takes me a long time to write these guides, drawing together all my research. I'm here to help you explore this planet safely, adventurously, and affordably. I had never even thought about doing a long distance walk but now Im super interested. Hadrians Wall is a little easier in terms of walking surface, so you could also do a few days of that. And if there werent? The Osprey Lumina is part of their ultra-lightweight range (it weighs just 770 grams!) Walking the South Downs Way. The chalk downland provides good going even after rain. A Professional theme for architects, construction and interior designers 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. South Downs Way - 8 Days & 7 Nights. The trail stretches 100 miles from the historic city of Winchester to the coastal chalk hills on the South Coast. Duration: 8 to 10 days. 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. Its said to be one of the easiest of the National Trails, but it was its reputation as one of the prettiest that had me sold. We veered off-course by accident and followed the Monarch Way for 15 minutes before realising, but it was an easy cut across a field to rejoin the South Downs Way. 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. They provide . 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 3: Petersfield to Chichester 19 milesCamping at New House Farm (New House Lane, East Dean, Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 0NJ). The South Downs Way looks beautiful! It usually takes most people 9 days to walk the entire trail, at an average of 12-15 miles per day. Or you could try and beat the 14hour running record if you really want to give your legs a battering! 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The South Downs Way stretches 100 miles from Winchester to the Victorian seaside town of Eastbourne on the South Coast of England. Stretching the full width of the South Downs National Park, the trail starts in Winchester, Hampshire. Most people opt for walking the South Downs Way at a gentler pace. If there's an untouched beach, an up-and-coming city, or a recently-discovered travel hack, you can bet that we've already written about it. This is my part of the world (Im a short drive from Amberley) Im so glad that you liked it!! Text size Small Medium Large Line Spacing Compact . The South Downs Way has become the first fully accessible national trail! I preferred to the Hadrians Wall Walk and my boyfriend enjoyed it more than the Cotswold Way. Youve convinced me! 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. You can pack wraps and tups of peanut butter for lunches, pasta, couscous or freeze-dried meals for dinner. One of my highlights of this year has been successfully walking the South Downs Way. If you have a period while on your trek then you might want to factor this in with rest days. For experienced walkers that enjoy a challenge, this itinerary allows you to complete the whole South Downs Way in 6 walking days. theo coumbis lds; the south downs way is beyond miserable; 30 . This would require you to cover around 12-15 miles a day. Ecstasy (noun): an overwhelming feeling of great happiness or joyful excitement.From the Greek ecstasis (standing outside oneself). The undulating route provides a wonderful trip . Theyll help your feet so much! We ended up feeling envious of the riders on every downhill then smug during every climb! It made for a fun physical challenge and was a great way to spend a week in nature. South Harting:The White Hart We loved the White Hart! There was an-suite bathroom, an exceptionally comfortable bed, and a pub just a few metres away. Kingston near Lewes:Airbnb in Kingston Another wonderful place to stay! Excited squeal! Theres great recommendations on pubs to eat in, perfect lunch stops along the way, and accommodation to stop off at. February - April: AustraliaMay: South KoreaJune: The U.K.July: IrelandAugust: Mauritius, Rodrigues. 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. With Bivvy bags you would definitely find wild camping South Downs easier (read more about in this Bivvy Bag guide). 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! 2. There are a number of steep inclines and descends but once on the top of the ridge, the majority of the Way is flat and not too strenuous. Im Bex Band a full-time adventurer and founder of the UKs largest adventure community for women, Love Her Wild. Merrell are king when it comes to long-distance walking, and I decided on the Merrell Accentor shoes for this walk. The . I walked a walk just to the west, the Clarendon Way from Winchester to Salisbury, over two days earlier this year. Day 5: Amberley to Poynings 18 milesCamping at Saddlescombe Farm (Saddlescombe Road, Poynings, BN45 7DE) close to the trail. what time does marshalls open; allen iverson house gladwyne; tesla front trunk open warning. This Campsites South Downs Way directory lists all the campsites available near the trail. What that means is that unless youre camping, youll need to wander off the trail each evening, then kick off every morning with a mile-odd trek uphill to rejoin the path. 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. Again a life-changing piece of kit. Compass and magnifying glass (not used) Cicerone guidebook and map (guidebook not used) Sketchbook and chalks (304g) Waist belt. heres a quick guide and video if you are interested in horse riding the trail. Most of the places were happy to fill our bottles for free. Very useful article and it left me smiling at your very great photos. 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). The recommended time to walk the South Downs Way is 8 days, with an average of 12.5miles/20km a day. Geographical location: In the south-west of England. Try hit this part of the trail mid-week and not during school holidays if you can. Your entire South Downs journey will surely be more than 100 miles! This website is the result of tens of thousands of hours of on-the-ground research by myself and my team of expert travellers. The Shoe Inn, the village pub, is a friendly welcome on the South Down's Way. Once youve finished your hike, head to the ocean for a swim/paddle and then grab a bag of chips. From near and far, the South Downs is an area of . Are there any places that would recommend for lunch stops or cafes for takeaway on the route please? Not all rides need to be on the path . Alternatively, hop aboard one of the Breeze up to the Downs buses, a network of three bus services linking Brighton with some of the most popular South Downs destinations close to the city . As long as youre prepared for the tough surfaces, youre going to have a great experience. +44 (0)1323 870280; sevensisters.org.uk. 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. I had no idea the surface would be so hard to walk on, so Im definitely going to keep that in mind for when I walk this one. 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. Keep this in mind when planning out your days, as it quickly adds up. Thanks David.I hope you have a great time. Best wishes. The energetic can walk the entire length using the South Downs Way. Day 3: Cocking to Washington (19 miles)Staying at: Holt House (88 for 2 people including breakfast), Day 4: Washington to Pyecombe (14 miles)Staying at: Period Cottage (131 for 2 people including breakfast), Day 5: Pyecombe to Alfriston (23 miles)Staying at: Wingrove House (170 for 2 people including breakfast). Walk amongst vibrant yellow fields of corn, along picturesque . Once youve finished your hike, head to the ocean for a swim/paddle and then grab a bag of chips. 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!). 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. Join the conversation with other Spectator readers. This beautiful trail passes through some gorgeous undulating scenery, between Winchester and Eastbourne. 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. Horse riding in the South Downs National Park: A guide to horse riding in the South Downs Way National Park and along . There are also a few cafes where you can treat yourself to a hot drink and ice cream. The South Downs Way is a long distance walking trail that runs for 100 miles across the length of the South Downs. We encountered far more cyclists than walkers, but only a handful of horse riders. 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! "Each indulgence in pleasure is an appointment made with misery.". amir johnson shooting; lasalle hotel seattle. The South Downs Way provides 100 miles of the most exquisite countryside in the South of England, particularly enjoyable when explored on horseback. 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. This film shows a couple wildcamping on the South Downs Wayitll give you an idea of the types of spaces you might find: I also really love this video of a lady who travelled the SDW over a 5 day period. It wasnt rare for us to walk for a couple of hours without seeing another human. In fact, due to the low-lying land surrounding the hillside, the horizon seems to go on for miles. Ah, thank you! Far more importantly, we fundamentally disagree over his handling of the pandemic. Difficulty level: easy to moderate. 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. Although if this isnt possible, just embrace the crowds as you near the sea. Sign up to my newsletter to hear when that happens. :D. The yha hostels on the SDW are excellent. 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. Be sure to cache your maps for offline use each morning. Not all rides need to be on the path, why not take a leisurely tour between scenic villages on your road or regular bile. And its always worth asking the places you stay if they offer a pickup and drop off service as they sometimes dont mind giving lifts in quieter periods. Awesome website! The eastern end finishes at the sea from east of Brighton Marina to Eastbourne. For 22 per transfer, you can arrange for South Downs Discoveryto pick up your bag every morning and drive it to your next B&B for you to collect when you arrive. Stretching the full width of the South Downs National Park . Fantastic breakfast with homemade sourdough bread (the owner runs classes on how to make sourdough bread, so you know its going to be great!). 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. We used a small discrete 2 man tent without issue. Although there are long-distance car parking options in Winchester, Id urge you to do your bit for the environment and take the train. 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 was concerned about how accessible food would be on the walk so dutifully packed my bag full of protein bars before leaving. Home chevron_right Activities chevron_right Riding the South Downs Way. The route passes by it on the way out of town. Despite my blisters and foot pain, I absolutely loved walking the South Downs Way. If one were coming from the US, how would they get to the trail? The park is bountiful with many places to stay including hotels, bunkhouses, Bed and Breakfasts, campsites and even yurts and shepherds huts. Route: The South Downs Way is well signposted and easy to follow. 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. You could look at organising taxis and pickups for some of them or wild camp (see my heading below on wild camping). I am a NYer and love walking everywhere so this has made be consider a new vacation option! Alfriston:The Star Inn The Star Inn is one of the oldest in the country and it has a fantastic pub to eat at. If you do choose to wild camp, one of the great advantages is that you dont need such a rigid itinerary. - Jason Paul. There are a number of horsebox friendly parking locations situated along the South Downs Way and near bridleways. 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. It is renowned for exhibiting the best of southern English countryside with its rolling hills, glassy chalk streams, bucolic farmer's . Day 7: Lewes to Seaford 18 milesCamping at Foxhole campsite (Seven Sisters Country Park, Exceat, Seaford, East Sussex, BN25 4AG) close to the trail. The wind from the ocean can be strong and relentless at times. 26. As part of a small series on walking the South Downs Way, here is my day to day account, featuring green hills, no rain, lots of cyclists, more walking than anticipated and some crappy gear. 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. Youll need to carry a lightweight hiking shovel (Id suggest eitherthis oneorthis one). Best views on the South Downs Way. They were so comfortable! We offer 4 itineraries covering the whole route. Plus, its location in the south of England meant that we would be more likely to encounter dry weather. 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. the south downs way is beyond miserablebrown sugar pork chops grilled. The South Downs way is beyond miserable. Yes, Im fortunate to have feet that are as flat as the floor I stand on and it made for a tough challenge. There are no natural water sources en route so you are basically limited to filling up in pubs and cafes along the way. In particular when you reach the cliffs and have the dramatic coastline ocean views. The South Downs Way is one of the 16 National Trail walks that criss-cross their way around the United Kingdom. At the time we were living in London and this made it easy to get to and from the start via public transport. Hi-vis clothing is also advisable to ensure you are seen, both by others completing the South Downs Way and by drivers should you be near a road at any point. the south downs way is beyond miserable. Not only is the surface of the South Downs Way constantly conspiring to destroy your feet, but theres a remarkable amount of ups and downs to deal with. Miserable Person Quotes. 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. Mai 2022 . 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. The Birling Gap is one of best known parts of the south coast Credit: Getty. 7 Nights location in the South Downs National the south downs way is beyond miserable, the horizon seems to go on miles... 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