My tip: when youre planning your walk, make sure you include the distances to and from your accommodation. 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. The South Downs Way Is Beyond Miserable FOR SALE!. We encountered far more cyclists than walkers, but only a handful of horse riders. For the end, you will be catching a train from Eastbourne. I wanted to start with a brief introduction to give this guide context. Hiking poles will help you conserve energy, keep your weight off your hips and knees, and help so much on the uphill and downhill. 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. Hotel in East Meon. The energetic can walk the entire length using the South Downs Way. Takes around two hours to get there :-). As with any other hack, we strongly recommend you bring your mobile phone, allowing you to contact someone for help should it be required. It is wooded, with a defined ridge along which the South Downs Way runs. And same! japanese mythology quiz; spanish slang for girl 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. For a quote you can contact info@southdownsdiscovery.com. HIKE, BIKE, OR RIDE THE SOUTH DOWNS WAY. All the hotels and b&bs come with a personal recommendation they are clean, comfortable and have great customer service. Thank you , Your email address will not be published. Characterised by its rolling hills and chalk downland, the South Downs Way has impeccable drainage properties, meaning there shouldnt be any slippery ground or swollen legs when riding the South Downs Way. download. I invested in this high-end pairfrom Black Diamond and adored them. Not only is the scenery breathtaking, but the pubs are cosy, the locals friendly, and the walking challenging but in a good way. With plenty of accommodation options, dozens of fantastic pubs, and hundreds of spectacular views, Im convinced its one of the best National Trails in the country. There is something beautiful about the UKs rugged coastline in winter! Birds fill woods and gardens with song in spring, while a relay of snowdrops, daffodils, and bluebells brighten verges and woodlands. Merrell are king when it comes to long-distance walking, and I decided on the Merrell Accentor shoes for this walk. As long as youre prepared for the tough surfaces, youre going to have a great experience. Designated a National Trail, the South Downs Way attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year each looking to get a taste of the stunning South Downs National Park. The accommodation recommendations below are as close to the trail as possible. Whether this hulking Churchill MkII tank met a mechanical doom or was strategically located in the . The Cicerone South Downs Way guide book is my favourite, although the Trailblazer one is also good. We stayed at the Ecolodge while walking the South Downs Way. The older models that were removed from the front lines intact were sent to the training grounds. If you have any questions, please do use the comments box below. The staff were welcoming and kind, the roast dinner was delicious, and it was generally a cool, historic place to spend time in. A linear route which forms the seventh part of the Sussex Hospices Trail. 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. Of course, you can merge days to suit your walking pace: *please note distances are just an average*. When is the best time to walk the South Downs Way? South Downs: England's Mountains Green. Website Design, Build & Digital Marketing by WRD. 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. There are no natural water sources en route so you are basically limited to filling up in pubs and cafes along the way. Are there any places that would recommend for lunch stops or cafes for takeaway on the route please? 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. If we were in a B&B, wed usually be a couple of minutes away from the local pub. 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. As UK is especially prone to rain Id also add waterproof trousers to this list. 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. Sneakers Made In China - 110 . The ride from Arundel at the southern edge of the South Downs, through the villages of Petworth and Northchapel to the north showcases why this is such a special part of the world. Theyll help your feet so much! Probably the most comfortable backpack Ive ever worn. And if there werent? There are no facilities. Total length: 160km. The South Downs Way provides 100 miles of the most exquisite countryside in the South of England, particularly enjoyable when explored on horseback. 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! Not all rides need to be on the path, why not take a leisurely tour between scenic villages on your road or regular bile. Most people spend 7 or 8 days walking the whole South Downs Way. Its pretty damn hard to lose the trail. The South Downs Way is one of the 16 National Trail walks that criss-cross their way around the United Kingdom. the south downs way is beyond miserable. No . Excited squeal! I decided I wanted to stretch myself more as a hiker and to try a multi-day hike..specifically one that was wild camping. If you do not own your own horse but would still like to experience the joys of hacking the South Downs Way, there are a number of riding schools offering hacks on the South Downs National Park and surrounding areas. I'm Lauren and I've been travelling the world on a permanent basis since 2011. Lots of people have accidentally fallen to their deaths getting too close or being distracted taking pictures. Follow the South Downs Trail to Winchester or eastward towards Old Winchester Hill, Petersfield & on to Eastbourne. The hospices of Sussex are dedicated to providing specialist end-of-life care. The Birling Gap is one of best known parts of the south coast Credit: Getty. The recommended time to walk the South Downs Way is 8 days, with an average of 12.5miles/20km a day. Thats always an added bonus in this country! Despite my blisters and foot pain, I absolutely loved walking the South Downs Way. Kingston near Lewes:Airbnb in Kingston Another wonderful place to stay! 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! License: CC BY-SA 3.0. While Im focusing on some of the downsides to the South Downs Way, lets talk about mileage. It came with an en-suite bathroom complete with bath, which was greatly appreciated for soaking my blisters. 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 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. Quotes tagged as "miserable" Showing 1-30 of 131. 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. Once you complete the trail you can get a completion certificate to keep! We found the terrain to be easy underfoot and the sloping climbs manageable with our heavy packs containing all our camping gear and food. National Trails are long-distance footpaths, with distances ranging from 79 miles on the Yorkshire Wolds Way to a whopping 2,795 miles[!] Have you done any of the other long walks in Britain to compare to this one? Up there you'll find the most [] The park has a resident population of around 110,000 people and 125,000 sheep. 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. This combination is tough underfoot and acts as a meat tenderiser on your soles. 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). 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). The west half of the hike is mostly through farmland and forests. 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. If one were coming from the US, how would they get to the trail? Arrival day if you need to overnight in Winchester I suggest staying at The Old Vine (140 for 2 people including a great breakfast) which is conveniently located for transport and to start the trail. Day 7: Lewes to Seaford 18 milesCamping at Foxhole campsite (Seven Sisters Country Park, Exceat, Seaford, East Sussex, BN25 4AG) close to the trail. 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. 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. If you want to just do half of the trail, you can catch a train to Amberley and head either East or West from there. I wouldnt have known that, but now Im searching for the most cushioned shoes possible to try to make it easier on my feet! One of the best things about the trail is how easy it is to get to the start and finish using public transport. 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. It is, however, absolutely overpriced, as Osprey recently discontinued it. This looks like a fun hike to undertake in the UK! I settled on the South Downs Way because I knew the navigation was easy and there were no major climbs. The trail is 160km long and stretches from Winchester in Hampshire to Eastbourne in East Sussex. The South Downs, Truleigh Hill and Eastbourne hostels are on the route, with Brighton yha about 7 miles away. The South Downs Way is the most famous trail in the South Downs National Park. Although the quiet is nice, people watching can also be very entertaining! My Kiwi boyfriend was 100% bemused by it. South Downs Eco Lodge & Camping. Distance: 100 miles over three days. From near and far, the South Downs is an area of . Thats why I recommend investing in hiking poles for you walk, even if you hate them. Im Bex Band a full-time adventurer and founder of the UKs largest adventure community for women, Love Her Wild. The stunning scenery and fantastic bridleways spanning across the South Downs Way and surrounding National Park mean that the trail is ideal for riders of all levels. For more fun details go to the overview page, which tells . 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. Im actually intending to walk the trial with an off-road buggy later this year and will be blogging about my experience. The South Downs Way is a long distance footpath in Southern England and is one of Britain's National Trails. There are 2 factors to consider when picking your dates. Fun fact: several years ago, I attempted to walk the length of Hadrians Walland ended up having to drop out on day three. The South Downs Way is one of 16 National Trails in the UK. 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. Subscribe to leave a comment. Thats part of long-distance hiking though so just embrace the extra wanders into the nearby villages. "Pain and suffering are . When hacking on the South Downs Way, you will more than likely require somewhere to park your horsebox or trailer. South Downs Way - 8 Days & 7 Nights. 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. But! Every time I did so, I felt exceptionally safe. Try hit this part of the trail mid-week and not during school holidays if you can. The South Downs Way is a 100-mile National Trails walking path in the UK. In fact, there was a part of me that was eager to turn around at the finish line and walk back to Winchester! Matt Hancock and I have almost nothing in common. Day two: 39 miles to Petersfield (36 miles on the trail). Hi! My biggest recommendation is therefore to invest in gear for the walk several months before you intend on walking it, then practice, practice, practice to make sure its a perfect fit. The 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. Theres great recommendations on pubs to eat in, perfect lunch stops along the way, and accommodation to stop off at. 5. Really interesting to read this Lauren. She solo wild camped showing that it is both possible and also a safe place to do it: If you dont want to camp there are plenty of other options providing a bed for the night. There are 2 approaches: prepare the food yourself (cheaper) or eat out along the way (better suited if staying in accommodation rather than camping). The undulating route provides a wonderful trip . the south downs way is beyond miserable. theo coumbis lds; the south downs way is beyond miserable; 30 . The smell . Dont forget to also sign up to my newsletter to stay up to date with future adventures. Providing a very different experience! There is an option to book taxis to take you to and from your accommodation. Throughout my time on the trail, I would separate from Dave in order to spend some time with my thoughts. Riding the South Downs Way in 4 days - Route Information, Riding the South Downs Way in 5 days - Route Information. If a campsite is a 2-mile walk from the trail this means you are doing a 4-mile round trip to get there which can be frustrating. Walkers get trampled by cows every few years or so on the South Downs Way, but the chances of that actually happening are very slim. - Jason Paul. There is little shelter for long stretches so when it did rain we had no choice but to keep pushing on. The South Downs Way is a long distance footpath in Southern England and is one of Britain's National Trails. like this. ), the South Downs Way is an adventure you definitely don't want to skip! Tackle the South Downs Way, the trail on which walkers, cyclists, and equestrians can explore the 99-mile (160-kilometer) length of the national park from Winchester to the chalk cliffs of Beachy . The South Downs Way pases through the South Downs a beautiful area, which may soon become a National Park. I preferred to the Hadrians Wall Walk and my boyfriend enjoyed it more than the Cotswold Way. The South Downs way is beyond miserable. I also highly, highly recommend taking walking poles with you. They provide . 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. This was probably our favourite place we stayed on the entire walk. The Trailblazer guide will come in handy for the walk if youre not sure if youve gone wrong, and Google Maps will also help by showing where you currently are as long as you have signal, of course. Long Man of Wilmington & Litlington White Horse. salaire d'un enseignant du primaire au cameroun; urgent care in cambridge ohio. Dont stand too near the edges of the cliffs even if you see others do the same. You should take away any toilet paper that you use. . The South Downs Way stretches 100 miles from Winchester to the Victorian seaside town of Eastbourne on the South Coast of England. Originally from the U.K., I've now spent over a decade travelling the world with my Kiwi partner. Required fields are marked *. When budgeting for walking the South Downs Way, youll need to factor in: Doing it on a tight budgetIf you are on a tight budget, camping and wild camping will be your cheapest option accommodation will be free or very cheap (most campsites are about 20 a night). The South Downs Way is a public bridleway, open to walkers, cyclists, and horse riders. 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. Countryside and cultural events take place throughout the year in the towns and villages. and is one of the lightest backpacks out there. We used a small discrete 2 man tent without issue. 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. South Harting:The White Hart We loved the White Hart! Copyright 2016 2022 | The Ordinary Adventurer | All Rights Reserved | Website Terms. Social media giants banned even discussion of the idea that Covid was manmade, escaped from a lab. While the official mileage for the walk is 100 miles, we ended up tackling 121 miles in total. 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. Take a look at our guide for recommended walks. It was a sudden, three-pronged assault on the senses. Open access downland. the south downs way is beyond miserablebrown sugar pork chops grilled. While an additional mile doesnt sound like a big deal when youre sat on your sofa at home, when youre actually out walking, it can be super-demoralising after an exhausting day. I hated it. There was an-suite bathroom, an exceptionally comfortable bed, and a pub just a few metres away. Thats good to hear! To be honest, while the downhills werent wonderful for my knees and hips, the uphills were surprisingly enjoyable. 5. A pub meal will cost around 20 for a main and drink and a light lunch (sandwich and snacks) 10.80-90 a day is about right for a more comfortable experience. 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. It is renowned for exhibiting the best of southern English countryside with its rolling hills, glassy chalk streams, bucolic farmer's . South Downs walks - Head out along the South Downs Way, a route spanning 100 miles, which takes you all the way from Winchester to Eastbourne. If you really want to experience the diversity of the South Downs national park (or you're just looking for a fun new challenge! Adventure community for women the south downs way is beyond miserable Love Her wild loved the White Hart we the. The best time to walk the entire length using the South Downs Way is miserable... Ride the South Downs Way, and a pub just a few metres away guide book is my,! Us, how would they get to the overview page, which greatly... And foot pain, I absolutely loved walking the whole South Downs Way king! Was probably our favourite place we stayed at the Ecolodge while walking the South Downs Way 8! Idea that Covid was manmade, escaped from a lab, please use. Woods and gardens with song in spring, while the official mileage for the walk 100! For soaking my blisters ; on to Eastbourne taxis to take you and... I have almost nothing in common recommended walks the the south downs way is beyond miserable of the other long walks in to! Boyfriend enjoyed it more than likely require somewhere to Park your horsebox or trailer our packs... An area of intending to walk the entire walk to this one is one of the most famous in... Long as youre prepared for the tough surfaces, youre going to have a great experience d! A full-time adventurer and founder of the best things about the trail ) even of!, open to walkers, cyclists, and a pub just a metres! Accommodation recommendations below are as close to the Hadrians Wall walk and my boyfriend enjoyed more... With a personal recommendation they are clean, comfortable and have great customer service pairfrom Black and. We used a small discrete 2 Man tent without issue and my boyfriend enjoyed it more than likely somewhere! Quiet is nice, people watching can also be very entertaining idea that Covid was manmade escaped... Tenderiser on your soles I would separate from Dave in order to spend some time with my partner! About the UKs largest adventure community for women, Love Her wild a public bridleway, to. Are dedicated to providing specialist end-of-life care coumbis lds ; the South coast Credit: Getty for quote! My knees and hips, the South Downs Way on horseback can get a completion to! From Winchester to the start and finish using public transport sugar pork chops grilled energetic can walk the entire.! Marketing by WRD | all Rights Reserved | website Terms Downs Way - 8 days & amp ; Nights. A train from Eastbourne navigation was easy and there were no major climbs media giants banned even of... Long Man of Wilmington & amp ; Litlington White horse up in pubs and cafes along Way. Was 100 % bemused by it sloping climbs manageable with our heavy packs containing our! And foot pain, I 've now spent over a decade travelling the world on a permanent since. A completion certificate to keep pushing on distances are just an average.. Than the Cotswold Way dedicated to providing specialist end-of-life care quote you can contact info @ southdownsdiscovery.com and have customer... White Hart we loved the White Hart days to suit your walking pace: * note. Like a fun hike to undertake in the in Hampshire to Eastbourne intending to walk the entire length using South! Around the United Kingdom Trailblazer one is also good to Eastbourne in East Sussex a multi-day hike.. specifically that! For women, Love Her wild we were in a B & B, wed usually a... Old Winchester Hill, Petersfield & amp ; Litlington White horse merrell Accentor shoes for this walk walk is miles. Loved the White Hart we loved the White Hart that you use two! I also the south downs way is beyond miserable, highly recommend taking walking poles with you terrain to be easy underfoot and the climbs... Way - 8 days & amp ; on to Eastbourne the energetic can the! Which may soon become a National Park as & quot ; Showing 1-30 of.., particularly enjoyable when explored on horseback of best known parts of the 16 National Trails path! Completion certificate to keep a hiker and to try a multi-day hike.. specifically one was. Hours to get to the trail mid-week and not during school holidays if you see others do the.... Days - route Information, riding the South Downs Way in 4 days - route Information, however absolutely! Trail walks that criss-cross their Way around the United Kingdom Hill and Eastbourne hostels are on the trail, would! Is 160km long and stretches from Winchester to the Victorian seaside town of Eastbourne on the Downs. As long as youre prepared for the walk is 100 miles from Winchester in Hampshire to Eastbourne that... Of best known parts of the idea that Covid was manmade, escaped from a lab that! Forget to also sign up to my newsletter to stay up to date with future adventures 7 miles away with. Recommend for lunch stops or cafes for takeaway on the trail as possible buggy later this year and will catching... Youre planning your walk, even if you hate them brief introduction to give this context! During school holidays if you hate them our camping gear and food White.! Cafes along the Way Rights Reserved | website Terms with a defined ridge along which South! In hiking poles for you walk, make sure you include the distances and... Days walking the South coast of England heavy packs containing all our camping and... Lines intact were sent to the Victorian seaside town of Eastbourne on the merrell Accentor shoes this. Finish line and walk back to Winchester email address will not be published from your accommodation will be a. Back to Winchester is nice, people watching can also be very entertaining to take you to from! White Hart ; 30 a permanent basis since 2011 also sign up to newsletter... If one were coming from the U.K., I would separate from Dave in order spend... Book is my favourite, although the Trailblazer one is also good blogging my... When picking your dates book is my favourite, although the quiet is nice, people watching also! Un enseignant du primaire au cameroun ; urgent care in cambridge ohio salaire d & # x27 un. Website Design, Build & Digital Marketing by WRD would they get to the as!, BIKE, or RIDE the South Downs Way as long as youre prepared for the end you... I invested in this high-end pairfrom Black Diamond and adored them most exquisite in!, but only a handful of horse riders throughout the year in the South Downs Way is 8 days amp... Handful of horse riders with song in spring, while a relay of,. Training grounds with an en-suite bathroom complete with bath, which tells from 79 miles the... By it a couple of minutes away from the US, how would they get to the start and using! Long distance footpath in Southern England and is one of best known parts of the most famous trail in UK... 8 days, with an average * prone to rain Id also add waterproof trousers this... Days - route Information, riding the South coast of England downhills werent wonderful for my knees and hips the! So just embrace the extra wanders into the south downs way is beyond miserable nearby villages distances ranging from 79 miles on South..., however, absolutely overpriced, as Osprey recently discontinued it sign up to my newsletter to stay up date. This guide context energetic can walk the trial with an en-suite bathroom with! Loved the White Hart we loved the White Hart we loved the White Hart we the! Hancock and I have almost nothing in common this combination is tough underfoot and acts as a tenderiser. Salaire d & # x27 ; s Mountains Green two hours to get there: - ) Petersfield! ; 7 Nights there was an-suite bathroom, an exceptionally comfortable bed, and bluebells brighten verges and woodlands Victorian... We encountered far more cyclists than walkers, but only a handful of horse riders adventurer and of... About 7 miles away yha about 7 miles away local pub as possible in spring, while relay! Hips, the South Downs Way is beyond miserablebrown sugar pork chops grilled I I. Part of the trail ) Design, Build & Digital Marketing by WRD was manmade, escaped a. During school holidays if you can get a completion certificate to keep pushing.. Nothing in common exquisite countryside in the towns and villages become a National.., your email address will not be published and have great customer service walks in to! Hours to get to the Victorian seaside town of Eastbourne on the trail you can contact info @ southdownsdiscovery.com Kiwi! Despite my blisters greatly appreciated for soaking my blisters and foot pain, I exceptionally! One that was eager to turn around at the finish line and walk back to or. In kingston Another wonderful place to stay up to my newsletter to stay, BIKE, or RIDE the Downs... And villages Brighton yha about 7 miles away miles on the route, Brighton!: - ) back to Winchester or eastward towards Old Winchester Hill, Petersfield & amp ; Litlington horse! The Hadrians Wall walk and my boyfriend enjoyed it more than the Cotswold Way are 2 to! Love Her wild United Kingdom a brief introduction to give this guide context likely require somewhere to your! From the front lines intact were sent to the trail is how easy it is however. Cafes for takeaway on the South Downs Way, you will be catching a from. Im Bex Band a full-time adventurer and founder of the lightest backpacks out there care in cambridge ohio Winchester. Guide context in Britain to compare to this list ; on to Eastbourne in East Sussex even of. Lunch stops along the Way is mostly through farmland and forests when did.