South Downs Way

The South Downs Way is a 160-km trail in southeast England that spans from Winchester in Hampshire to Eastbourne in East Sussex.

The South Downs Way follows the old routes and droveways along the chalk escarpment and ridges of the South Downs, passing over some of the most beautiful and calming scenery in southern Britain. It is used as a National Trail and a local path. Historical sites varying from the Neolithic to World War 2 are present on the route.

The Trail as a whole is not suitable for people who are frail: it is not specially surfaced for wheelchairs and so can be rough and/or steep in places. If you want to take young children on the route, since it can be very hilly it is probably best to bring a pushchair. If you are older you'll need a suitable electric cross-country buggy such as a Tramper. Contact the Trail Officer for detailed information about the path surfaces, slopes, and useful contacts.

A basic kit should be as follows:

• First aid kit for any scrapes or falls
• Mobile phone: just for peace of mind; most of the route has reception
• Water; it can get pretty windy up there and especially in summer you can get quite thirsty
• In winter, warm clothing is recommended

The route is comprehensively waymarked with the acorn symbol used for all UK National Trails, and mobile signal is reliable along most of its length—this is one of the more forgiving long-distance trails to navigate, though a map is still worth carrying for the ridge-top sections in poor visibility.

For those who may not want to carry all the things they need for several days on their backs, there are luggage movement services.

The route regularly dips off the ridge into valley villages, many of which have pubs serving food, tea rooms, or small shops—Exton, Amberley, Alfriston and Eastbourne among them. On the more remote ridge-top stretches there are long gaps between facilities, so it's worth carrying food for the day rather than counting on passing a shop.

Pubs are plentiful in the valley villages along the route and are a highlight of the walk for many—several sit directly on or a short detour from the path. Tap water is readily available in the towns and villages; there are also a number of water points/taps along the trail itself for refilling bottles, though it's worth checking current locations before you set off as they can change.

Camping sites, barns, hotels, pubs, cottages, youth hostels and bed and breakfasts are the main accommodation along the route. 'Wild' camping is legal with the landowner's permission, though in practice it's difficult to rely on for the whole route by backpacking; the Sussex section has more opportunities to wild camp than the Hampshire section. Accommodation in the smaller villages can be limited, so booking ahead is advisable, especially in summer.

The Downs are exposed and can be windy even when it's calm in the valleys below, so bring warm clothing—e.g. a jumper or fleece—regardless of season, as well as rain gear. Summer days are generally mild and pleasant for walking, while winter can bring cold, wet and occasionally icy conditions underfoot on the chalk paths.

There are mainline trains and long-distance coaches to both Winchester and Eastbourne as well as several places in between. Allow around 60–90 minutes from London. There are ferries to Newhaven and Portsmouth, and the London Airports (especially Gatwick) are handy for overseas visitors. Trains from London stop at these places close to the route:

• 51.063333-1.3086111 Winchester - Mainline services to and from Southampton (South West Trains)
• 51.003769-0.9345312 Petersfield - Train services from London (Waterloo) and Portsmouth (South West Trains)
• 50.908481-0.5340393 Amberley - From London (Victoria) towards Arundel and Littlehampton (Southern Trains)
• 50.923303-0.1508644 Hassocks - From London (Victoria) towards Brighton and Lewes (Southern Trains and First Capital Connect - from Blackfriars)
• 50.8747220.0116675 Lewes - From London (Victoria) towards Lewes and Newhaven (Southern Trains)
• 50.7663890.2861116 Eastbourne - From London (Victoria) via Lewes or from Ashford (Southern Trains)
• 50.820833-0.13757 Brighton - From London (Victoria, London Bridge, Kensington Olympia, Watford Junction) served by Southern Trains (inc. Gatwick Express) Blackfriars, Thameslink, Bedford, Kings Cross and First Capital Connect) West (Bristol, Gloucester, Westbury, Cardiff served by First Great Western) and East (Ashford, Hastings, Eastbourne served by Southern)

Cyclists: Please note that at some periods of the day and on some operators bikes are not allowed on the trains. Also most of the more modern trains only have space for 3-4 bikes, thus large groups may have to book ahead or travel in smaller groups. Southern for example requests that a 'limited number' of cycles are carried free on all services except on trains due to arrive into London or Brighton between 07.00 and 10.00, or due to depart from London stations or Brighton between 1600 and 1900 on Mondays to Fridays. Reservations for cycles are not required.

You may not of course wish to walk the entire length of the path, and parts of it can be incorporated into circular walks or one could walk one way and get the bus back. Car parking is normally good, although in towns and villages expect to have to search and pay for parking spaces. Car parks are usually free from crime, but normal precautions must be taken.

Walking, cycling and horse riding are the main activities along this 100-mile (160-km) waymarked bridleway, which runs the length of the South Downs National Park between Winchester and the coast at Eastbourne. Most walkers split it into a series of daily stages, described here west to east.

Within a drive (or a bus/train ride) are some other sites of interest:

• Lewes
• Brighton (England) and the south Coast (beaches etc)
• Midhurst
• Petersfield
• Portsmouth

Winchester to Exton

 11 mi

From 51.063333-1.3086111 Winchester's cathedral city streets the trail climbs onto open downland, passing Old Winchester Hill before dropping into the village of 50.984161-1.1287472 Exton on the River Meon.

Exton to Queen Elizabeth Country Park

 10 mi

The route climbs over Salt Hill and Butser Hill, at 270m the highest point on the whole Way, before descending into 50.9659-0.976061 Queen Elizabeth Country Park , a good spot for a break among beech woodland.

Queen Elizabeth Country Park to Cocking

 12 mi

Beyond the park the trail crosses into West Sussex and rolls through farmland and forest to 50.9513-0.750953 Cocking , a small village at the foot of the Downs.

Cocking to Amberley

 12 mi

This stretch climbs past Bepton Down and Graffham Down, with wide views north over the Weald, before dropping to 50.908481-0.5340394 Amberley on the edge of the Arun Valley.

Amberley to Washington

 11 mi

The trail crosses the River Arun and climbs back onto the ridge, passing Chanctonbury Ring hillfort before reaching 50.902981-0.4063395 Washington .

Washington to Pyecombe

 15 mi

A long, exposed stage over Truleigh Hill and Devil's Dyke, with sweeping views south to the coast, ending at 50.898831-0.1639396 Pyecombe .

Pyecombe to Southease

 15 mi

The trail passes Ditchling Beacon and Clayton's twin windmills, then continues over open downland to 50.830.027 Southease in the Ouse Valley.

Southease to Alfriston

 7 mi

A shorter stage climbing over Itford Hill and Firle Beacon before dropping into the pretty village of 50.810.168 Alfriston .

Alfriston to Eastbourne

 7 mi

The final stage passes the chalk hill figure of the 50.81010.1880222 Long Man of Wilmington , then climbs over the Seven Sisters cliffs (or inland via Jevington on the bridleway route) to finish at 50.7663890.2861119 Eastbourne.

Ensure you have good-quality footwear and a map; The South Downs Way is as safe as anywhere and much safer than any city—you need have no security concerns about going alone. However, it is probably best to ensure you stop before night; the route often has sections with steep sides.

You can always escape from the path and see more of the counties which are on the route (Hampshire, West Sussex and East Sussex). Thankfully the route has decent transport links within about 10 miles of any spot.