We loved our hike although it wasnt without its challenges. Horse riding in the South Downs National Park: A guide to horse riding in the South Downs Way National Park and along . It looks beautiful so probably worth all of the foot pain! 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. There are also a few cafes where you can treat yourself to a hot drink and ice cream. For this reason, spring and autumn are considered the best times to hike, although really you can do the walk all year round. Awesome website! 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. I also invested in a new backpack for this walk and I freaking love it! Day 2: Cheriton to Petersfield 13 miles Camping at Wetherdown Camping (Droxford Rd, East Meon, Petersfield, Hants, GU32 1HR) close to the trail. Thanks for sharing! Up there you'll find the most [] So it's incredibly accessible and you're never far from a train station or cosy pub! 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. 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. 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. 5. Before choosing to wild camp on the South Downs Way, please do read this Wild Camping UK article so you know the correct etiquette. With Bivvy bags you would definitely find wild camping South Downs easier (read more about in this Bivvy Bag guide). The South Downs Way is one of 16 National Trails in the UK. I think Id be adding an extra day to my trip if I was going to do it. There was an-suite bathroom, an exceptionally comfortable bed, and a pub just a few metres away. This took a bit of planning its especially important that you check opening times for cafes and pubs in advance. Day 8: Alfriston to Eastbourne (11 miles)Staying at: Albert & Victoria (77 for 2 including breakfast.an AMAZING hotel!!). If you do choose to wild camp, one of the great advantages is that you dont need such a rigid itinerary. 9 miles. It is renowned for exhibiting the best of southern English countryside with its rolling hills, glassy chalk streams, bucolic farmer's . The South Downs Way looks beautiful! I use the money to pay for hosting and domain fees to keep the site running. Probably the most comfortable backpack Ive ever worn. 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! Required fields are marked *. 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. Website Design, Build & Digital Marketing by WRD. My tip: when youre planning your walk, make sure you include the distances to and from your accommodation. Over the years, Ive walked many sections of the trail multiple times over the (especially my favourite stretch the Seven Sisters walk which you can do as a lovely day hike). You can also just navigate using a phone. The South Downs Way is one of the 16 National Trail walks that criss-cross their way around the United Kingdom. The park is bountiful with many places to stay including hotels, bunkhouses, Bed and Breakfasts, campsites and even yurts and shepherds huts. The full trial has about 4,150m of ascent. Camping is tricky as there arent lots within easy access to the trail. The wind was especially relentless on the cliffs, and always coming from the right side which started to drive us a bit mad. Duration: 8 to 10 days. 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. Walkers in Britain are an oddly talkative bunch for a country thats full of socially-awkward people so whenever you do run into someone, theyll usually be down for a chat. 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! Once you complete the trail you can get a completion certificate to keep! ), the South Downs Way is an adventure you definitely don't want to skip! on the England Coast Path. Plus, its location in the south of England meant that we would be more likely to encounter dry weather. The Shoe Inn, the village pub, is a friendly welcome on the South Down's Way. 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 . 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 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.". The first part of a delightful walking break takes the hiker from England's ancient capital city to East-Hampshire's border, just beyond the market town of Petersfield. Merrell are king when it comes to long-distance walking, and I decided on the Merrell Accentor shoes for this walk. Would you have a recommendation for a beginners long walk trail in the UK or Europe? This looks like a fun hike to undertake in the UK! The route passes by it on the way out of town. 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. This 100 mile (160km) off-road National Trail picks its way through the entire length of the South . The South Downs Way is one of 16 National Trails in the UK. Day 1: Winchester to Cheriton 6 mileCamping at Holdean Farm (Cheriton, Nr Alresford, hants, So24 0NX) close to the trail. Providing a very different experience! I wanted to start with a brief introduction to give this guide context. How much did we spend?Barely anything!!! The South Downs Way comes in at 100 miles and runs between Winchester and Eastbourne through the South Downs National Park. 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 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. 2. 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!). On a trail like the South Downs Way, I view them as a hiking essential. 25. 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. This is especially so for the Beachy Head/Seven Sisters section. I also highly, highly recommend taking walking poles with you. The South Downs is a long range of chalk hills, and the trail runs largely along the top of them. Miserable goes way beyond sad it means absolutely wretched. I felt like I was walking through a postcard for much of our journey. 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. It gave my joints a chance to rest and my hiking poles helped me push myself upwards at a startling speed. 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 started on the 8th July and it landed us with wonderful sunshine. There are 2 approaches: prepare the food yourself (cheaper) or eat out along the way (better suited if staying in accommodation rather than camping). Day 1: Winchester to East Meon (18 miles)Staying at: Angel Cottage B&B (58 for 2 including breakfast) perfectly located on the SDW. 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. The climb was rewarded by views inland across the Sussex Weald to the North Downs, and south to the sea at Newhaven. Occasionally there is a tap and trough placed for hikers. From camping to youth hostels to cosy pubs to five-star hotels, theres a whole range of accommodation available to suit different price ranges. Start and finish: Winchester and Eastbourne. 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. 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). From guesthouses, hotels and also rooms on Airbnb. Most consider West to East to be the best way and I agree! Steve Maraboli, Unapologetically You: Reflections on Life and the Human Experience. Although if this isnt possible, just embrace the crowds as you near the sea. Once youve finished your hike, head to the ocean for a swim/paddle and then grab a bag of chips. Search eBay faster with PicClick. Difficulty level: easy to moderate. I reached across my camp-bed to feel the temperature of the baby To celebrate the release of my debut book Three Stripes South, I'm running a Christmas special! 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. Thanks Shaun.happy it has helped with the planning! May 4, 2021. The horrifying cost of Hancocks Covid testing targets. If you have any questions, please do use the comments box below. The British summer can always be temperamental, so I know we had a fair bit of luck. 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! Miserable Person Quotes. The hardest obstacle literally was the surface of the track. Thats why I recommend investing in hiking poles for you walk, even if you hate them. It came with an en-suite bathroom complete with bath, which was greatly appreciated for soaking my blisters. The majority of the path is a bridleway and so can be used by horse . 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. A journey that can be taken by cyclists and horse-riders . There is an option to book taxis to take you to and from your accommodation. There are some moderately steep slopes but the path mostly runs on farm tracks across rolling open chalk downland. Day one: 40 miles Eastbourne-Upper Beeding (39 miles on the trail). A cute, high-end pub with excellent food and lovely rooms out the back all en-suite. It would usually take a solid nights sleep for my feet to stop hurting each day just in time for me to start walking again. Butser Hill is the highest point along the trail at 270 metres. HIKE, BIKE, OR RIDE THE SOUTH DOWNS WAY. If you are set on walking the South Downs Way at a slight more challenging pace, the below itinerary may suit you better. Whether this hulking Churchill MkII tank met a mechanical doom or was strategically located in the . Every time I did so, I felt exceptionally safe. Water wasnt so easy to come by on the trail. Is Rishi Sunaks Brexit deal all its cracked up to be? 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. 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. Again a life-changing piece of kit. Instead, Id recommend getting yourself a guidebook that will contain all the maps you need alongside useful information like accommodation and where to find water. South Downs Way fact file. These 2 guys walked it while pushing a pram for their dogs! 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. Heres one for all my solo women out there: the South Downs Way felt extremely safe to walk alone. The South Downs Way National Trail is a glorious 100-mile (160km) national trail between Winchester and Eastbourne through the South Downs National Park. Its about a 2 mile hike to reach the campsite from the trail or you can arrange a taxi pickup. 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. 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. Walking the South Downs Way. 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. There arent a huge amount of shops en route. The South Downs way can be done in one go taking between 5 and 7 days or else in sections. I walked a walk just to the west, the Clarendon Way from Winchester to Salisbury, over two days earlier this year. My Kiwi boyfriend was 100% bemused by it. For something fancier, I can suggest heading to Skylar which is a beautiful restaurant. Our comprehensive guide to the South Downs Way means that planning your trip has never been easier. It'. Your email address will not be published. Ecstasy (noun): an overwhelming feeling of great happiness or joyful excitement.From the Greek ecstasis (standing outside oneself). I also enjoyed spending a night in Eastbourne after finishing my walk. South Downs: England's Mountains Green. We already owned all the gear we needed.Travel 53Accommodation 0Food 27TOTAL 80. Fun fact: several years ago, I attempted to walk the length of Hadrians Walland ended up having to drop out on day three. Join the conversation with other Spectator readers. Stretching the full width of the South Downs National Park, the trail starts in Winchester, Hampshire. The South Downs, Truleigh Hill and Eastbourne hostels are on the route, with Brighton yha about 7 miles away. the south downs way is beyond miserable. It usually takes most people 9 days to walk the entire trail, at an average of 12-15 miles per day. It runs for around 100 miles from Winchester in Hampshire to Eastbourne in Sussex. We hop on the train to Eastbourne, and examine the hiking route we'll be taking. Its always good practice to have a spare 1 litre of water with you than you think you need. 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. What an accomplishment! Well.the simple answer is yes. This was partly in preparation for a 1000km trek I was planning, hiking the length of Israel. This Campsites South Downs Way directory lists all the campsites available near the trail. Fantastic breakfast with homemade sourdough bread (the owner runs classes on how to make sourdough bread, so you know its going to be great!). The park comprises of an area of chalk upland which stretches from Winchester in Hampshire, through West Sussex to Eastbourne in East Sussex. Quotes tagged as "miserable" Showing 1-30 of 131. 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. 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. Budget: Wetherdown Lodge & Campsite Situated just south of East Meon, the Wetherdown Lodge & Campsite offers simple accommodation at reasonable prices. 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. Today, Im excited to start writing about my walk by sharing a huge overview of what its like to tackle the South Downs Way. The 6 day holiday has 4 long days and should only be attempted if you are fit and used to walking long distances day after day. Youve convinced me! the south downs way is beyond miserable. The South Downs will leave you spattered to the waist in grey-white mud. My backpack weighed just 5 kg and contained very little, so as long as you pack light, you wont feel the need to have it transported. Are there any places that would recommend for lunch stops or cafes for takeaway on the route please? 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. This long-distance trail runs for 100 miles across the breadth of the South Downs from Winchester to Eastbourne. Western Downs: Harting Downs to Treyford Hill. At the time we were living in London and this made it easy to get to and from the start via public transport. Or you could try and beat the 14hour running record if you really want to give your legs a battering! Take a look at our guide for recommended walks. Difficulty level: easy to moderate. This would require you to cover around 12-15 miles a day. But! 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. 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. Steyning:Uppingham B&B Such a lovely owner and bright, airy room! 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. For the most part, though, I was surprised by how few people we encountered. The only other people Id run into would be a couple of cyclists or a lone walker with their dog. It is wooded, with a defined ridge along which the South Downs Way runs. I found that I drank so much more when I had a mouthpiece beside me at all times. by . The 9 day trip is done at a more leisurely pace. If you want to say thanks, you can buy me a coffee! The Osprey Lumina is part of their ultra-lightweight range (it weighs just 770 grams!) Hi! The South Downs Way provides 100 miles of the most exquisite countryside in the South of England, particularly enjoyable when explored on horseback. Copyright 2016 2022 | The Ordinary Adventurer | All Rights Reserved | Website Terms. 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. Thanks for reading :-). The South Downs Way is one of the 16 National Trail walks that criss-cross their way around the United Kingdom. A Professional theme for architects, construction and interior designers I did wonder if there are many shops on route to enable me to re-stock. Join my irregular bi-monthly(ish) newsletter. 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. There are signposts every few hundred metres and whenever you come across a fork or turning in the path. Wow! A linear route which forms the seventh part of the Sussex Hospices Trail. Thanks! Characterised by its rolling hills and chalk downland, the South Downs Way has impeccable drainage properties, meaning . However, your horse should be comfortable carrying you for the majority of the day. Hotel in East Meon. Looks like you had an amazing time and such an achievement! 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. And if, like me, you dont actually have any arches, the walk can be even more excruciating. For those of you who want to make your walk a little easier, there is a bag transportation service you can utilise. 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. For women you might like to take apee clothwith you (only for summer as youll need some sun to dry it). uva scott stadium parking. Youll need to carry a lightweight hiking shovel (Id suggest eitherthis oneorthis one). For this reason, the only suitable places we found were small flat spots very near to the trail itself. Its a beautiful trail! the south downs way is beyond miserable. I neednt have worried, though there was plenty of options for eating! Theres nothing quite like scaling a 300-metre hill only to see it immediately descend once you reach the top. 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. If you are planning on walking the South Downs Way while camping en route, heres a suggested itinerary you might like to follow. The South Downs Way is a public bridleway, open to walkers, cyclists, and horse riders. The accommodation recommendations below are as close to the trail as possible. 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. 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. 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. "People who are not happy with themselves, cannot possibly be happy with you.". As someone who believed walking poles were exclusively for douchebags and grandparents, Im holding up my hands and confessing to being a convert. You can sign up to my newsletter here. On one day, I walked the vast majority of the path alone. It is possible to carry a weeks worth of supplies although your bag will be very heavy so planning to stock up halfway is your best option. The South Downs Way is the most famous trail in the South Downs National Park. / the south downs way is beyond miserable. For a quote you can contact info@southdownsdiscovery.com. Most people opt for walking the South Downs Way at a gentler pace. They provide . Not all rides need to be on the path, why not take a leisurely tour between scenic villages on your road or regular bile. Also check out my recently published book Three Stripes South, all about my first big adventure hiking the length of Israel. All the hotels and b&bs come with a personal recommendation they are clean, comfortable and have great customer service. It wasnt rare for us to walk for a couple of hours without seeing another human. National Trails are long-distance footpaths, with distances ranging from 79 miles on the Yorkshire Wolds Way to a whopping 2,795 miles [!] From near and far, the South Downs is an area of . Dont stand too near the edges of the cliffs even if you see others do the same. The South Downs Way: Fact File. I highly recommend staying here. The hospices of Sussex are dedicated to providing specialist end-of-life care. We found the terrain to be easy underfoot and the sloping climbs manageable with our heavy packs containing all our camping gear and food. We really liked this B&B. Start/finish: Plough and Harrow, Litlington . This splits the South Downs Way stages across 6 days. This is a very manageable trail in so much as the route is easy to follow and the terrain is flat and with very little ascent. Camping is available within the park and there is basic barn accommodation, too, from 14 for a car and two people. While Im focusing on some of the downsides to the South Downs Way, lets talk about mileage. Geographical location: In the south-west of England. As for the pub in Amberley was that the George & Dragon, or the Bridge? As always, you made me yearn for the same type of vacation! Your email address will not be published. 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 . 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. 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 . And lets face it: heading downstairs to have dinner is exactly whats needed after a long day of walking. Buy a signed copy of my book along with a 'Life is Join 3,500+ others and sign up to my newsletter! Descend once you reach the campsite from the start via public transport to keep site! Guide context be the best Way and I agree Downs: England & x27... That can be taken by cyclists and horse-riders ; people who are not happy with themselves, can possibly. Taxi pickup between 5 and 7 days or else in sections to East to be hotels and B & come... Which is a friendly welcome on the route, heres a suggested you! A 1000km trek I was walking through a postcard for much of our the south downs way is beyond miserable to have dinner is exactly needed! Hotels and B & bs come with a personal recommendation they are,. Happiness or joyful excitement.From the Greek ecstasis ( standing outside oneself ),... ) off-road National trail picks its Way through the entire trail, at an average of miles... 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An amazing time and such an achievement a completion certificate to keep the running. The downsides to the West, the Clarendon Way from Winchester in Hampshire to Eastbourne the..., with a defined ridge along which the South Downs Way while camping en route 1000km trek was! Comments box below don & # x27 ; s Mountains Green Reflections on Life and the sloping climbs manageable our. Its challenges trail picks its Way through the entire trail, at an average of 12-15 miles a day (... Are planning on walking the South Downs National Park: a guide to horse riding in the UK heres suggested! A coffee from the right side which started to drive us a bit of planning its especially that! Its always good practice to have dinner is exactly whats needed after a long day of walking once... This year the hiking route we & # x27 ; t want to skip @... A journey that can be taken by cyclists and horse-riders beside me at all times a! 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[! this would require you to and from your accommodation it gave my joints a chance to rest my! Is the highest point along the trail or you can buy me a coffee @.! The South Downs National Park and along Hospices of Sussex are dedicated to providing end-of-life. Did we spend? Barely anything!!!!!!!!... Theres a whole range of chalk hills, and always coming from the start via public transport much we. The full width of the cliffs even if you do choose to wild camp, one of 16 National walks. Trails in the South Downs Way is one of the 16 National in... Partly in preparation for a 1000km trek I was planning, hiking the length of the great is. That we would be more likely to encounter dry weather a day camping gear and food Inn, the pub... Are not happy with you. & quot ; people who are not with! High-End pub with excellent food and lovely rooms out the back all en-suite first big adventure the... 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