|
The South Downs Way runs between Winchester and Eastbourne and is entirely within the two areas of outstanding natural beauty, East Hampshire and the Sussex Downs which make up the area of the South Downs.
Rolling chalk downs, deep dry valleys, steep scarp slopes, and wide views over the wooded farmland of the Sussex Weald with glimpses of shimmering sea, characterise the Way. The well-loved open chalk landscape, with its variety of wild flowers and butterflies, is a result of sheep and cattle grazing over the centuries. Sadly much of the downland was extensively ploughed for food production during World War II.
Encouragement is now being given to farmers on the Downs to return their arable land to more traditional forms of management, and the Sussex Downs are designated as areas of outstanding natural beauty. The area has been inhabited by hill forts, tumuli and cross dykes, while the Way itself was probably an important trade route in the Bronze Age.
The South Downs Way is easily accessible by rail from London, with buses serving the major towns nearby and even a special rambler bus running from Brighton to the Downs during the summer months. This good transport network enables the Trail to be savoured and followed in sections rather than completed all at once. There are a series of small car parks along the Way suitable for unboxing horses.
There is a reasonable supply of accommodation - hotels, bed and breakfast places and youth hostels, although you may have to leave the route for these. Camp sites can be few and far between and new camping barns at Seven Sisters Country Park and Gumber Farm near Bignor will be welcome additions.
The Way lies in one of the driest, warmest parts of the country. Although the Downs are not as remote as higher hills in the north, they can be bleak on a cold, foggy day in winter. You need to be prepared for changes in the weather, particularly if your journey is to last several days. Appropriate clothing and footwear are advisable, except in the dry summer months when lighter gear would be sufficient for short, day journeys. Taps and water troughs are provided along the Way, but it would be sensible to carry some water with you, particularly in the summer. Although the Way is well sign posted, it is a good idea to have the relevant Ordnance Survey Map (numbers 185, 197, 198, 199) or National Trail Guide with you if only to identify some of the features in the view.
Find out more about the South Downs Way and other National Trails in England
|
