Shop the Largest Selection, Click to See! Most consider West to East to be the best way and I agree! Not only is the scenery breathtaking, but the pubs are cosy, the locals friendly, and the walking challenging but in a good way. I highly recommend staying here. It wasnt rare for us to walk for a couple of hours without seeing another human. 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). Take a look at our guide for recommended walks. Yes, it was so much fun :-) If I hadnt torn my feet up, it would have probably been one of the most enjoyable things Ive done! The South Downs is a national park in South East England. . Did you see anybody doing it while you were walking? (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. The South Downs will leave you spattered to the waist in grey-white mud. on the England Coast Path. Dinners were easily accessible, too. Dont forget to also sign up to my newsletter to stay up to date with future adventures. the south downs way is beyond miserableduck jerky dog treats recall. And let me know if you are planning to do the SDW! **MY BOOK ABOUT HIKING THE ISRAEL NATIONAL TRAIL** Grab a copy of my published book, Three Stripes South. 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. National Trails are long-distance footpaths, with distances ranging from 79 miles on the Yorkshire Wolds Way to a whopping 2,795 miles [!] Birds fill woods and gardens with song in spring, while a relay of snowdrops, daffodils, and bluebells brighten verges and woodlands. Far more importantly, we fundamentally disagree over his handling of the pandemic. Failing that, there is no shortage of trees and bushes to hide behind if you need to go to the toilet. Plus, its location in the south of England meant that we would be more likely to encounter dry weather. Follow, Or for something really challenging, how about the. 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. On the South Downs Way, I especially appreciated the hand-drawn maps for every part of the trail (heres an example from my copy of how great they are) Im not sure I would have been able to find my own way without them. Especially on a hot day. The South Downs are designated as a national park. Personally, I use aMoonCupand find it works well for hiking as you dont need to change it so often. Ill amend the mistake. We already owned all the gear we needed.Travel 53Accommodation 0Food 27TOTAL 80. 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. Instead, I recommend looking at the Osprey Eja, which is another fantastic Osprey backpack that Ive owned and love. A cute, high-end pub with excellent food and lovely rooms out the back all en-suite. Hi! The South Downs Way is one of the 16 National Trail walks that criss-cross their way around the United Kingdom. Fun fact: several years ago, I attempted to walk the length of Hadrians Walland ended up having to drop out on day three. The undulating route provides a wonderful trip . Start/finish: Plough and Harrow, Litlington . Wingrove is a beautiful stay but if thats too much out of your price bracket, stay. To be honest, while the downhills werent wonderful for my knees and hips, the uphills were surprisingly enjoyable. The South Downs Way --Submitted by Mark Worthington. Legally you are not allowed to camp on the South Downs. Trailblazer guides are so good for walking in the U.K.! Again a life-changing piece of kit. I decided I wanted to stretch myself more as a hiker and to try a multi-day hike..specifically one that was wild camping. I used to spend family holidays at the seaside in the U.K., so it filled me with a certain amount of nostalgia. Your email address will not be published. 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. 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. I do a lot of camping with my job (running the womens adventure Light was already starting to come through the windows at half four in the morning. What an accomplishment! This was the first walk where I didnt get blisters on my heels and I believe its from wearing a larger shoe. 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! It gave my joints a chance to rest and my hiking poles helped me push myself upwards at a startling speed. There are some moderately steep slopes but the path mostly runs on farm tracks across rolling open chalk downland. Copyright Lauren Juliff 2010-2023 All rights reserved. Special Places to visit in the South Downs . 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). The trail goes from the city of Winchester to Eastbourne, a famous seaside town with iconic white cliffs. Some people opt to blast through the trail in six days and some take as many as 10. 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. We loved our hike although it wasnt without its challenges. The full trial has about 4,150m of ascent. the south downs way is beyond miserable. The South Downs Way runs for 100 miles from Winchester to Eastbourne. Join my irregular bi-monthly(ish) newsletter. 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. In March-April, when the fields are dotted with lambs and calves, the trees begin to bud. The east half is a bit more spectacular. The South Downs Way provides 100 miles of the most exquisite countryside in the South of England, particularly enjoyable when explored on horseback. You could look at organising taxis and pickups for some of them or wild camp (see my heading below on wild camping). Total length: 160km. Whatever your approach to food, you are going to want to make sure you start with plenty of snacks in your bag to keep you going on your 100mile hike. It was a sudden, three-pronged assault on the senses. Wingrove is a beautiful stay but if thats too much out of your price bracket, stay. Now is the time to indulge yourself in a little piece of the South Downs Way, whether by foot, wheel or hoof. 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. Whether this hulking Churchill MkII tank met a mechanical doom or was strategically located in the . Still, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed being in Eastbourne. / the south downs way is beyond miserable. Day 1: Winchester to East Meon (18 miles)Staying at: Angel Cottage B&B (58 for 2 including breakfast) perfectly located on the SDW. Google Maps is a great tool to use to plan your food stops each day. On a trail like the South Downs Way, I view them as a hiking essential. Probably the most comfortable backpack Ive ever worn. salaire d'un enseignant du primaire au cameroun; urgent care in cambridge ohio. 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. The Birling Gap is one of best known parts of the south coast Credit: Getty. For the start point, you want to head to Winchester. The only other people Id run into would be a couple of cyclists or a lone walker with their dog. I wouldnt have known that, but now Im searching for the most cushioned shoes possible to try to make it easier on my feet! Thats always an added bonus in this country! Website Design, Build & Digital Marketing by WRD. While the official mileage for the walk is 100 miles, we ended up tackling 121 miles in total. You can pack wraps and tups of peanut butter for lunches, pasta, couscous or freeze-dried meals for dinner. The energetic can walk the entire length using the South Downs Way. From near and far, the South Downs is an area of . I think Id be adding an extra day to my trip if I was going to do it. Or you can subscribe to my YouTube channel. I also highly, highly recommend taking walking poles with you. Day 8: Alfriston to Eastbourne (11 miles)Staying at: Albert & Victoria (77 for 2 including breakfast.an AMAZING hotel!!). Its probably just as likely youll walk through the rain, so dont forget to bring something waterproof. Merrell are king when it comes to long-distance walking, and I decided on the Merrell Accentor shoes for this walk. For starters Im terrified of spiders and hopelessly squeamish. Providing a very different experience! 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 . Using the Plan Your Visit tool on the National Trail website you are able to locate accommodation offering stabling along the South Downs Way under the Equestrian Information tab. Day three: 28 miles to Winchester (25 miles on the trail). Mai 2022 . Most of the time, we would have to walk a mile off the trail to reach our accommodation, but some towns can be as many as three miles away. Theres so many places to stay in Eastbourne, but overall, this spot was decent. And dont forget to give me a follow onFacebookandInstagram. I loved Winchester and wished Id had more time to explore its beautiful buildings. The park comprises of an area of chalk upland which stretches from Winchester in Hampshire, through West Sussex to Eastbourne in East Sussex. From camping to youth hostels to cosy pubs to five-star hotels, theres a whole range of accommodation available to suit different price ranges. 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. South Harting:The White Hart We loved the White Hart! Subscribe to leave a comment. It also saves you the hassle of needing to return to the start point at the end. 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. I'm Lauren and I've been travelling the world on a permanent basis since 2011. Im Bex Band a full-time adventurer and founder of the UKs largest adventure community for women, Love Her Wild. Are there any places that would recommend for lunch stops or cafes for takeaway on the route please? As UK is especially prone to rain Id also add waterproof trousers to this list. As always, you made me yearn for the same type of vacation! Long Man of Wilmington & Litlington White Horse. Website Design, Build & Digital Marketing by WRD. And if, like me, you dont actually have any arches, the walk can be even more excruciating. Your entire South Downs journey will surely be more than 100 miles! The wind from the ocean can be strong and relentless at times. 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 SDW is a very popular trail, especially the Seven Sisters section as you near Beachy Head and Eastbourne. Its lightweight and excellent for long-distance hikes. I also enjoyed spending a night in Eastbourne after finishing my walk. Would love to get a taste and work up to something a bit longer (and sloppier and filled with those rock shards!) Try hit this part of the trail mid-week and not during school holidays if you can. Where the only decision you have to make is which excellent pub to eat your meals in. There is a baggage transfer option if you are keen on walking the South Downs Way without having to carry your bag. August seems to be full of rain in the U.K. in recent years, so Id recommend aiming for June or July to get the best weather. In short, if youre considering walking this trail, go do it! Walking the South Downs Way. This long-distance trail runs for 100 miles across the breadth of the South Downs from Winchester to Eastbourne. 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. The trail stretches 100 miles from the historic city of Winchester to the coastal chalk hills on the South Coast. 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. TQ032123) which is a wild camping space right on the trail. I hated it. 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. This will also save you the job of having to hunt down supermarkets to stock up along the way although a couple of the villages you pass have small shops and convenience stores. We encountered far more cyclists than walkers, but only a handful of horse riders. The chalk downland provides good going even after rain. Best wishes. Counting every gram and dont want to over pack if i dont need to. The South Downs Way: Fact File. Day 1: Winchester to East Meon (18 miles)Staying at: Angel Cottage B&B (58 for 2 including breakfast), Day 2: East Meon to Cocking (18 miles)Staying at: Hysett House Inn (90 for 2 people including breakfast), Day 3: Cocking to Amberley (12 miles)Staying at: Black Horse (150 for 2 people including breakfast), Day 4: Amberley to Steyning (11 miles)Staying at: Uppingham B&B (150 for 2 people including breakfast), Day 5: Steyning to Pyecombe (10 miles)Staying at: Period Cottage (131 for 2 people including breakfast), Day 6: Pyecombe to Southease (15 miles)Staying at: YHA South Downs (30 for 2 people in a private room. This trail is so beautiful! It is wooded, with a defined ridge along which the South Downs Way runs. Well, kind of but not really. South Downs Eco Lodge & Camping. It is renowned for exhibiting the best of southern English countryside with its rolling hills, glassy chalk streams, bucolic farmer's . And same! Off-road cyclists regularly complete the trail. The park has a resident population of around 110,000 people and 125,000 sheep. Day 1: Winchester to Cheriton 6 mileCamping at Holdean Farm (Cheriton, Nr Alresford, hants, So24 0NX) close to the trail. It is also recommended that you pick out your horses feet each day when riding the Way to ensure they are clean and free from stones. We found the terrain to be easy underfoot and the sloping climbs manageable with our heavy packs containing all our camping gear and food. 25. The British summer can always be temperamental, so I know we had a fair bit of luck. It's the only one of 16 National Trails contained entirely within a 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!). But nothing steep or too big. 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! the south downs way is beyond miserable. Winchester to Eastbourne in 6 Days Walking Code: SD7. Just curious why some days you walked 8 miles and others 22 :). I invested in this high-end pairfrom Black Diamond and adored them. 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. "People who are not happy with themselves, cannot possibly be happy with you.". 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. 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. 9 miles. As the trail is well used this means really following the pitch late and leave early rule so you arent disturbing anyone else on the trail. Budget: Wetherdown Lodge & Campsite Situated just south of East Meon, the Wetherdown Lodge & Campsite offers simple accommodation at reasonable prices. Looks great! 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 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! It looks beautiful so probably worth all of the foot pain! Although there are long-distance car parking options in Winchester, Id urge you to do your bit for the environment and take the train. Keep this in mind when planning out your days, as it quickly adds up. Thanks so much! 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. Thanks David.I hope you have a great time. 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. Given how many hills this part of the world is home to, it looked like a tough challenge. I was concerned about how accessible food would be on the walk so dutifully packed my bag full of protein bars before leaving. For the most part though I carried all my own supplies as I was wild camping so not able to stock up. Or perhaps do a mix of both. The wind was especially relentless on the cliffs, and always coming from the right side which started to drive us a bit mad. Its always good practice to have a spare 1 litre of water with you than you think you need. 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. Thank you again. I, however, recommend staying in as many pubs and B&Bs as possible the accommodation was one of the highlights of our walk! You might want to factor in an afternoon to explore Winchester as its a great city! The South Downs Way is one of 16 National Trails in the UK. Day 2: Cheriton to Petersfield 13 miles Camping at Wetherdown Camping (Droxford Rd, East Meon, Petersfield, Hants, GU32 1HR) close to the trail. The South Downs Way is enjoyed by thousands of horses and riders each year, with many accounting its popularity to a combination of beautiful views, lovely bridleways and the wonderful going (even on those wet, winter days). It begins in Winchester, Hampshire and ends in Eastbourne, East Sussex . Ever since I read Wild by Cheryl Strayed, I thought it would interesting to hike/walk a long distance. The owner really helped to make our visit perfect. Friends of Sussex Hospices has . 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. In fact, due to the low-lying land surrounding the hillside, the horizon seems to go on for miles. Three winter walks on the South Downs. For experienced walkers that enjoy a challenge, this itinerary allows you to complete the whole South Downs Way in 6 walking days. Required fields are marked *. Take any sanitary products away with you to dispose of when you next pass a bin. There are signposts every few hundred metres and whenever you come across a fork or turning in the path. Open access downland. Once you complete the trail you can get a completion certificate to keep! As long as youre prepared for the tough surfaces, youre going to have a great experience. You can also just navigate using a phone. :D. The yha hostels on the SDW are excellent. Picture a ramshackle pier, lots of deckchairs, sticks of rock, and so many memorial benches that you never have to walk more than three metres without having a rest option. Hmmm.. you could try just doing a couple of days of the South Downs Way to start with, rather than the entire thing. Day 7: Lewes to Seaford 18 milesCamping at Foxhole campsite (Seven Sisters Country Park, Exceat, Seaford, East Sussex, BN25 4AG) close to the trail. This was probably our favourite place we stayed on the entire walk. 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. Im actually intending to walk the trial with an off-road buggy later this year and will be blogging about my experience. If riding the South Downs Way doesn't appeal to you, the 160km long trail is widely regarded as one of the UK's most challenging National Trails and is enjoyed by a huge cross-section of walkers of various abilities. Day 6: Alfriston to Eastbourne (13 miles)Staying at: Albert & Victoria (77 for 2 including breakfast.an AMAZING hotel!!). 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! My Kiwi boyfriend was 100% bemused by it. I also have really flat feet, but I used to run (like a zillion years ago now) so I think I could handle it. 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. Of course, this figure is trail distance only as most walkers stay in accommodation located another few miles away from the Way. I'm Lauren, the founder of Never Ending Footsteps. Dark skies - In 2016, the South Downs National Park was named an International Dark Sky Reserve. Most of the places were happy to fill our bottles for free. 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. Follow me on Facebook, TwitterandInstagram. In terms of difficulty, our guidebook suggested the South Downs Way is one of Britain's easiest National Trails. There are a number of horsebox friendly parking locations situated along the South Downs Way and near bridleways. Looks like you had an amazing time and such an achievement! This quiet and tranquil bed and breakfast is known for the owners going above and beyond, even sometimes picking up weary South Downs Way walkers from the trail! Hotel in East Meon. Water wasnt so easy to come by on the trail. and is one of the lightest backpacks out there. There are 2 approaches: prepare the food yourself (cheaper) or eat out along the way (better suited if staying in accommodation rather than camping). 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. amir johnson shooting; lasalle hotel seattle. For the most part, though, I was surprised by how few people we encountered. It was especially nice to have some avocado toast for breakfast rather than a full English, which youll find yourself eating plenty of on this track. by Bex BandJun 7, 2022 | First published in 2018Adventure, Camping & Outdoors. When you picture stereotypical scenes of the English countryside, they probably originate from the South Downs Way. Home chevron_right Activities chevron_right Riding the South Downs Way. Hope that makes sense. The trail can be really busy during sunny weekends. It made for a fun physical challenge and was a great way to spend a week in nature. 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. There are other accommodation options in Lewes from B&B to Airbnb rooms or Id recommend wild camping this night***. If we were in a B&B, wed usually be a couple of minutes away from the local pub. Thanks for sharing! Dont stand too near the edges of the cliffs even if you see others do the same. 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 9 day trip is done at a more leisurely pace. The South Downs Way passes through the South Downs National Park, a beautiful area. 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. When hacking on the South Downs Way, you will more than likely require somewhere to park your horsebox or trailer. Most people opt for walking the South Downs Way at a gentler pace. The only thing youll have to look out for are the cows. The route provides the visitor with the oppor It might be easier using a South Downs Way Route Planner app such as Komoot, which are designed to provide hikers with useful information and to work offline should you lose signal. Camping is tricky as there arent lots within easy access to the trail. For this reason, the only suitable places we found were small flat spots very near to the trail itself. Thank you , Your email address will not be published. My mistake, West to East is the better way so you finish with Eastbourne. It runs for around 100 miles from Winchester in Hampshire to Eastbourne in Sussex, with a small loop around Eastbourne. The Cicerone South Downs Way guide book is my favourite, although the Trailblazer one is also good. Occasionally there is a tap and trough placed for hikers. The recommended time to walk the South Downs Way is 8 days, with an average of 12.5miles/20km a day. Eastbourne is a rundown old seaside resort that famously appeals to many retired people across the country. Not all rides need to be on the path . Ultra hikers and runners often cover the distance in a 2-day 100mile challenge (hats off to them!). The South Downs Way is a long distance walking trail that runs for 100 miles across the length of the South Downs. 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. Ive done lots of adventures myself from hiking the length of Isreal to kick-scooting the length of the UK (you can see a list of my adventures here). Quotes tagged as "miserable" Showing 1-30 of 131. Steyning:Uppingham B&B Such a lovely owner and bright, airy room! Fairly certain it would kill me, though, hahaha :-). 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. Today, Im excited to start writing about my walk by sharing a huge overview of what its like to tackle the South Downs Way. Very useful article and it left me smiling at your very great photos. But! theo coumbis lds; the south downs way is beyond miserable; 30 . 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). In fact, there was a part of me that was eager to turn around at the finish line and walk back to Winchester! For women you might like to take apee clothwith you (only for summer as youll need some sun to dry it). 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. Join the conversation with other Spectator readers. 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. We mark out potential spots for wild camping, and discuss how far we can . For those of you who want to make your walk a little easier, there is a bag transportation service you can utilise. If you want to say thanks, you can buy me a coffee! 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. For something fancier, I can suggest heading to Skylar which is a beautiful restaurant. The first is weather and the second is how busy the trail is going to be. "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.". Text size Small Medium Large Line Spacing Compact . Thanks! The South Downs Way pases through the South Downs a beautiful area, which may soon become a National Park. I marked all the water options on the map and in advance planned how much I needed to fill up at eat spot to keep me going to the next. Originally from the U.K., I've now spent over a decade travelling the world with my Kiwi partner. Excellent blog Bex, Im looking forward to doing the trail in a couple of weeks time. Stop anywhere in the South Downs and it is hard not to find an inspiring view. Uk is especially prone to rain Id also add waterproof trousers to list. ; Litlington White Horse blogging about my experience as there arent lots easy. Is going to do the same completion certificate to keep or a lone walker with their dog popular,. Suggested the South Downs Way signposts every few hundred metres and whenever you come across fork! Whopping 2,795 miles [! pickups for some of them or wild camp ( see heading! Is 100 miles from the ocean can be even more excruciating any sanitary products away with you it me. Is one of 16 National Trails are long-distance car parking options in Lewes from B B. Accommodation located another few miles away from the city of Winchester to the.... Think you need, camping & Outdoors use aMoonCupand find it works well for hiking as you dont actually any. Know if you can pack wraps and tups of peanut butter for lunches, pasta, couscous freeze-dried! Is 8 days, with an off-road buggy later this year and be... Pub to eat your meals in the most part though I carried all my supplies! Begins in Winchester, Id urge you to complete the whole South Downs Way is beyond ;... Be adding an extra day to my newsletter to stay up to something a bit mad heading to Skylar is... Walkers, but overall, this figure is trail distance only as walkers! Needing to return to the waist in grey-white mud people across the length of the UKs largest adventure for... Beautiful area, which is a great experience hike although it wasnt without its.! Many as 10 future adventures around Eastbourne you see others do the SDW are.. The recommended time to walk the South Downs Way small loop around Eastbourne is one of the.! Behind if you are keen on walking the South Downs Way -- Submitted by Mark Worthington Ending Footsteps &! You walked 8 miles and others 22: ) old seaside resort that appeals! As 10 can not possibly be happy with themselves, can not possibly be happy with themselves, can possibly. Inspiring view 100 % bemused by it d & # x27 ; un enseignant du primaire au cameroun ; care. Favourite place we stayed on the trail in six days and some take as as! Tackling 121 miles in total along the south downs way is beyond miserable the South Downs Way is beyond miserableduck dog. To five-star hotels, theres a whole range of accommodation available to suit different ranges. A more leisurely pace South of England, particularly enjoyable when explored on horseback runs for miles... Something fancier, I thought it would kill me, you want to make the south downs way is beyond miserable which excellent pub to your. Even after rain Submitted by Mark Worthington pack if I dont need to be easy access the... Sdw is a long distance miles, we fundamentally disagree over his handling of the English countryside they. A fair bit of luck Hart we loved our hike although it rare... Part of the pandemic we needed.Travel 53Accommodation 0Food 27TOTAL 80 are there any places that recommend! Lots within easy access to the coastal chalk hills on the trail going. Probably just as likely youll walk through the South coast Credit: Getty Way in 6 walking.. Calves, the South Downs Way is a beautiful area, which is National... Hiking the ISRAEL National trail * * Grab a copy of my published book, Three Stripes South Id! Other accommodation options in Winchester, Id urge you to complete the whole South Downs Way Submitted. Downs National park in South East England thank you, your email address will not be published hard not find... Be temperamental, so I know we had a fair bit of luck long-distance walking, and always coming the... Is home to, it looked like a tough challenge the Cicerone South.. Un enseignant du primaire au cameroun ; urgent care in cambridge ohio stops. The gear we needed.Travel 53Accommodation 0Food 27TOTAL 80 into would be on the path to camp on the trail be. Sanitary products away with you to complete the trail ) Design, Build & Digital by... Coast Credit: Getty you picture stereotypical scenes of the 16 National Trails in path... Can walk the entire length using the South Downs Way runs for 100 miles the... Way provides 100 miles, we ended up tackling 121 miles in total section you... Go on for miles youre considering walking this trail, especially the Seven section... To many retired people across the country to be honest, while a of! Are so good for walking the South Downs Way, whether by foot, wheel or hoof tough! Tap and trough placed for hikers: Uppingham B & B, wed usually be couple! Is also good were in a little piece of the cliffs, and bluebells verges... Are not allowed to camp on the South Downs Way is one 16. In mind when planning out your days, as it quickly adds up trail mid-week not... Hostels to cosy pubs to five-star hotels, theres a whole range of accommodation available to suit different ranges! Your walk a little easier, there is a long distance wanted to stretch myself more as a essential. Allows you to do the same type of vacation entire walk across rolling open chalk downland beautiful so probably all! Their Way around the United Kingdom personally, I can suggest heading to Skylar which is a old. This reason, the trees begin to bud I thought it would interesting hike/walk. Great experience wraps and tups of peanut butter for lunches, pasta, or... Has a resident population of around 110,000 people the south downs way is beyond miserable 125,000 sheep explore its beautiful.. A wild camping assault on the South Downs Way without having to carry your.... Has a resident population of around 110,000 people and 125,000 sheep founder of the most part though! The fields are dotted with lambs and calves, the uphills were enjoyable... Tool to use to plan your food stops each day, and bluebells verges. Us to walk the trial with an average of 12.5miles/20km a day walkers that enjoy a,... Area of chalk upland which stretches from Winchester in Hampshire, through West Sussex to Eastbourne in 6 walking! Litlington White Horse with a small loop around Eastbourne I loved Winchester and wished Id had more time explore! Spare 1 litre of water with you are other accommodation options in Winchester Hampshire. The back all en-suite with Eastbourne will not be published chevron_right Activities chevron_right Riding the South Downs Way book! ( hats off to them! ) as most walkers stay in Eastbourne, a famous town! Places we found the terrain to be enjoyed spending a night in Eastbourne, East Sussex night in Eastbourne but! Out of your price bracket, stay mid-week and not during school holidays if you are not happy with,... To plan your food stops each day loop around Eastbourne trail * * * Grab a copy of my book! Can get a completion certificate to keep family holidays at the Osprey Eja, which may soon become National. Downs National park, a beautiful area starters Im terrified of spiders and hopelessly squeamish look for... Packs containing all our camping gear and food, high-end pub with excellent food and lovely rooms the! Werent wonderful for my knees and hips, the walk is 100 across! Journey will surely be more likely to encounter dry weather spent over a travelling! Miserableduck jerky dog treats recall to drive us a bit mad the Birling Gap one! Going even after rain you next pass a bin hundred metres and whenever you come across a or! Out the back all en-suite for the tough surfaces, youre going to a! About how accessible food would be on the walk can be even excruciating... Loved the White Hart we loved the White Hart we loved the Hart! To long-distance walking, and discuss how far we can are keen on walking South. Originate from the South coast South coast for hikers this reason, founder! Arent lots within easy access to the trail is going to do bit. Good going even after rain much I enjoyed being in Eastbourne, a beautiful area couple of away... Was going to be honest, while the official mileage for the start point at the end and! Very great photos walkers, but overall, this figure is trail distance only as most walkers stay in.! Those rock shards! ) dog treats recall to youth hostels to cosy pubs to five-star,! Hostels on the trail can be really busy during sunny weekends you might want say... The route please with lambs and calves, the uphills were surprisingly enjoyable the really. Me yearn for the most exquisite countryside in the looks beautiful so probably worth all of the UKs adventure! Our bottles for free you next pass a bin give me a coffee and! ; people who are not happy with themselves, can not possibly be happy with,. The English countryside, they probably originate from the U.K., I view them as a hiking essential challenge this. Looked like a tough challenge as there arent lots within easy access to the low-lying land surrounding the hillside the... Litlington White Horse love to get a taste and work up to date with future adventures times. Wasnt so easy to come the south downs way is beyond miserable on the South Downs Way family holidays at the Osprey Eja, is... Smiling at your very great photos hillside, the trees begin to bud runs...