I used to spend family holidays at the seaside in the U.K., so it filled me with a certain amount of nostalgia. This long-distance trail runs for 100 miles across the breadth of the South Downs from Winchester to Eastbourne. You can sign up to my newsletter here. 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. Theres great recommendations on pubs to eat in, perfect lunch stops along the way, and accommodation to stop off at. License: CC BY-SA 3.0. The South Downs Way stretches 100 miles from Winchester to the Victorian seaside town of Eastbourne on the South Coast of England. In short, if youre considering walking this trail, go do it! To my great surprise, it wasnt my blisters that held me back, but the acute aching in the soles of my feet. the south downs way is beyond miserable . My mistake, West to East is the better way so you finish with Eastbourne. I'm Lauren and I've been travelling the world on a permanent basis since 2011. For the most part, though, I was surprised by how few people we encountered. 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! 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! 25. The South Downs Way has become the first fully accessible national trail! 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. The South Downs way can be done in one go taking between 5 and 7 days or else in sections. In terms of weather windows from April-October will give you the best weather. 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. 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. 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. Thanks David.I hope you have a great time. I started doing some research last night and saw Hadrians Wall and the Thames Path both come up. Below is an 8 day suggested route plan for anyone wanting to use accommodation en route. Obviously, if you arent planning to camp you can ditch the cooking stuff, tent and sleeping gear. 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. My shoes! The undulating route provides a wonderful trip . But maybe not quite 20 mile days! arduino credit card skimmer. by Bex BandJun 7, 2022 | First published in 2018Adventure, Camping & Outdoors. For those of you who want to make your walk a little easier, there is a bag transportation service you can utilise. Instead, I recommend looking at the Osprey Eja, which is another fantastic Osprey backpack that Ive owned and love. Start/finish: Plough and Harrow, Litlington . 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. 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. The South Downs Way is the most famous trail in the South Downs National Park. Steyning:Uppingham B&B Such a lovely owner and bright, airy room! Breakfasts and dinners were easy everywhere we stayed on the trail offered breakfast, and they were uniformly delicious. Given how many hills this part of the world is home to, it looked like a tough challenge. on the England Coast Path. 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. The Osprey Lumina is part of their ultra-lightweight range (it weighs just 770 grams!) While Im focusing on some of the downsides to the South Downs Way, lets talk about mileage. Quotes tagged as "miserable" Showing 1-30 of 131. South Downs: England's Mountains Green. Dinners were easily accessible, too. This combination is tough underfoot and acts as a meat tenderiser on your soles. 26. Camping is tricky as there arent lots within easy access to the trail. Day 5: Amberley to Poynings 18 milesCamping at Saddlescombe Farm (Saddlescombe Road, Poynings, BN45 7DE) close to the trail. 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 is beyond miserable. Just search restaurant and it will highlight all the cafes and food options in your area. 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! On one day, I walked the vast majority of the path alone. The South Downs Way is one of the 16 National Trail walks that criss-cross their way around the United Kingdom. Day 6: Alfriston to Eastbourne (13 miles)Staying at: Albert & Victoria (77 for 2 including breakfast.an AMAZING hotel!!). The west half of the hike is mostly through farmland and forests. If you do only one day of the South Downs Way, make it this one. The Cicerone South Downs Way guide book is my favourite, although the Trailblazer one is also good. Walk from the NT car park east along South Downs Way to Treyford and Didling Hills, via Beacon Hill and Pen Hill; back via Hooksway, Millpond Bottom, Little Round Down and Whitcombe Bottom. A tough mum covered the full distance with her children and a buggy carrying all their items, Champing: a guide to camping in ancient churches, contingency its always good to have a contingency in the budget, 200 should be plenty for their hike to account for any unplanned taxis or accommodation if needed. February - April: AustraliaMay: South KoreaJune: The U.K.July: IrelandAugust: Mauritius, Rodrigues. Before choosing to wild camp on the South Downs Way, please do read this Wild Camping UK article so you know the correct etiquette. Day three: 28 miles to Winchester (25 miles on the trail). My tip: when youre planning your walk, make sure you include the distances to and from your accommodation. I decided I wanted to stretch myself more as a hiker and to try a multi-day hike..specifically one that was wild camping. Riding the South Downs Way in 4 days - Route Information, Riding the South Downs Way in 5 days - Route Information. The South Downs will leave you spattered to the waist in grey-white mud. If we were staying in a pub, wed simply walk downstairs to eat. I invested in this high-end pairfrom Black Diamond and adored them. Day one: 40 miles Eastbourne-Upper Beeding (39 miles on the trail). Stretching the full width of the South Downs National Park, the trail starts in Winchester, Hampshire. You can take the coach or train from London to Winchester! I highly recommend staying here. This was probably our favourite place we stayed on the entire walk. Really friendly owners, a large breakfast, and a good location, close to the waterfront. Where the only decision you have to make is which excellent pub to eat your meals in. As UK is especially prone to rain Id also add waterproof trousers to this list. One of the best things about the trail is how easy it is to get to the start and finish using public transport. The only thing youll have to look out for are the cows. "People who are not happy with themselves, cannot possibly be happy with you.". In fact, there was a part of me that was eager to turn around at the finish line and walk back to Winchester! HIKE, BIKE, OR RIDE THE SOUTH DOWNS WAY. Five days of walking. 2. 8-9 days is a good estimate to walk the entire route at an easy pace. I found that I drank so much more when I had a mouthpiece beside me at all times. For 22 per transfer, you can arrange for South Downs Discoveryto pick up your bag every morning and drive it to your next B&B for you to collect when you arrive. durham ontario police; does maddie know the killer in hush; 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. Mai 2022 . The views are pleasant and consistent. For this reason, spring and autumn are considered the best times to hike, although really you can do the walk all year round. If you have any questions, please do use the comments box below. Friends of Sussex Hospices has . 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. Although there are long-distance car parking options in Winchester, Id urge you to do your bit for the environment and take the train. Hi Bex, love your website and specific detail on the South Down Way. 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). While that's probably true, I still wouldn't rate it as "easy," especially on longer (15+ mile) days. Thanks! Well, kind of but not really. Breaky Bottom Vineyard, Lewes. - Jason Paul. For something fancier, I can suggest heading to Skylar which is a beautiful restaurant. The South Downs is a long range of chalk hills, and the trail runs largely along the top of them. Subscribe to leave a comment. Day 1: Winchester to Cheriton 6 mileCamping at Holdean Farm (Cheriton, Nr Alresford, hants, So24 0NX) close to the trail. It was a sudden, three-pronged assault on the senses. Difficulty level: easy to moderate. Ah, I love that. The . Home chevron_right Activities chevron_right Riding the South Downs Way. The South Downs Way is a long distance walking trail that runs for 100 miles across the length of the South Downs. All the hotels and b&bs come with a personal recommendation they are clean, comfortable and have great customer service. The South Downs Way looks beautiful! Probably the most comfortable backpack Ive ever worn. Thank you again. The trail is 160km long and stretches from Winchester in Hampshire to Eastbourne in East Sussex. Countryside and cultural events take place throughout the year in the towns and villages. Wow! the south downs way is beyond miserable. 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. I wanted to start with a brief introduction to give this guide context. Im hoping to walk the South Downs Way this summer and this post was so helpful for planning my days. It looks beautiful. Duration: 8 to 10 days. In this guide I cover everything you need to know to do the hike yourself from details on camping and accommodation options, wild camping choices, costs, what you need to pack, food, top tips and the best South Downs Way route planners. 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. I'm here to help you explore this planet safely, adventurously, and affordably. We found the terrain to be easy underfoot and the sloping climbs manageable with our heavy packs containing all our camping gear and food. There are also a few cafes where you can treat yourself to a hot drink and ice cream. 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. The Devil's Punch Bowl. The trail incredibly easy to follow thanks to the organised and clear waymarkers. Looks like you had an amazing time and such an achievement! Typically the ideal route length is 4 days averaging around 25 miles per day. Eastbourne is a rundown old seaside resort that famously appeals to many retired people across the country. Its a beautiful trail! Youve convinced me! 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. Social media giants banned even discussion of the idea that Covid was manmade, escaped from a lab. There is an option to book taxis to take you to and from your accommodation. The staff were welcoming and kind, the roast dinner was delicious, and it was generally a cool, historic place to spend time in. 9 miles. The views were consistently pretty. Thats always an added bonus in this country! If you have enough time, I recommend booking a night in both Winchester and Eastbourne. Western Downs: Harting Downs to Treyford Hill. It is wooded, with a defined ridge along which the South Downs Way runs. The hospices of Sussex are dedicated to providing specialist end-of-life care. For starters Im terrified of spiders and hopelessly squeamish. The South Downs is a national park in South East England. Most people opt for walking the South Downs Way at a gentler pace. The South Downs Way is 100 miles (160 km) in length. This was the first walk where I didnt get blisters on my heels and I believe its from wearing a larger shoe. I am a NYer and love walking everywhere so this has made be consider a new vacation option! It finishes 100 miles later in Eastbourne, East Sussex. Legally you are not allowed to camp on the South Downs. 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. Shop the Largest Selection, Click to See! This beautiful trail passes through some gorgeous undulating scenery, between Winchester and Eastbourne. :D Ive walked short sections of the SDW before, and its such an underrated part of the world as is the South Coast in general. This Campsites South Downs Way directory lists all the campsites available near the trail. heres a quick guide and video if you are interested in horse riding the trail. The South Downs is a chalk range thats scattered with huge shards of flint. However, I have wild camped and found that if you are considerate and follow the rules, it is tolerated. Search eBay faster with PicClick. If you do choose to wild camp, one of the great advantages is that you dont need such a rigid itinerary. Hi! Only 1 a week after your trial. Plan a cycling adventure today with our comprehensive guide. What an accomplishment! Dont forget to also sign up to my newsletter to stay up to date with future adventures. 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. These rocks were subsequently uplifted to form the Weald-Artois Anticline. From near and far, the South Downs is an area of . the south downs way is beyond miserable. To be honest, while the downhills werent wonderful for my knees and hips, the uphills were surprisingly enjoyable. Copyright Lauren Juliff 2010-2023 All rights reserved. The 9 day trip is done at a more leisurely pace. Ultra hikers and runners often cover the distance in a 2-day 100mile challenge (hats off to them!). The South Downs National Park and the South Downs Way: The official leaflet for the South Downs Way National Park and South Downs Way National Trail. Sign up to my newsletter to hear when that happens. Just one point, in the East to West/West to East section you state that East to West is the best way, but you describe the West to East route in the paragraph. For the end, you will be catching a train from Eastbourne. The trail can be really busy during sunny weekends. 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). Although if this isnt possible, just embrace the crowds as you near the sea. Walk amongst vibrant yellow fields of corn, along picturesque . battled the censors a @RandPauld helped many of us learn: More 6. I have used the basis of this information to plan my route, ready for when we start to ease COVID-19. 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. Budget: Wetherdown Lodge & Campsite Situated just south of East Meon, the Wetherdown Lodge & Campsite offers simple accommodation at reasonable prices. Four nights hiding under a tree. Its pretty damn hard to lose the trail. 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 wind was especially relentless on the cliffs, and always coming from the right side which started to drive us a bit mad. Ive since returned to the trail and stayed in accommodation inns, b&bs and hotels along the way. South Harting:The White Hart We loved the White Hart! Join the conversation with other Spectator readers. The South Downs Way Is Beyond Miserable FOR SALE!. This trail is so beautiful! Now even the U.S. Energy Department has come to that conclusion. The chalk downland provides good going even after rain. I, however, recommend staying in as many pubs and B&Bs as possible the accommodation was one of the highlights of our walk! For more fun details go to the overview page, which tells . Special Places to visit in the South Downs . Dont stand too near the edges of the cliffs even if you see others do the same. Rod Liddle is associate editor of The Spectator. The South Downs Way is a long distance footpath in Southern England and is one of Britain's National Trails. 2. Dont let that fool you, though: this walk is still challenging. And same! Also check out my recently published book Three Stripes South, all about my first big adventure hiking the length of Israel. You can also ride the route on a horse! what time does marshalls open; allen iverson house gladwyne; tesla front trunk open warning. When hacking on the South Downs Way, you will more than likely require somewhere to park your horsebox or trailer. Not all rides need to be on the path, why not take a leisurely tour between scenic villages on your road or regular bike. It wasnt rare for us to walk for a couple of hours without seeing another human. Subpar gear but superior English weather. The South Downs Way is only about an hour from London and is easily accessible by public transport. Join my irregular bi-monthly(ish) newsletter. Occasionally there is a tap and trough placed for hikers. Would love to get a taste and work up to something a bit longer (and sloppier and filled with those rock shards!) Day 6: Poynings to Lewes 13 miles Camping at Spring Barn Farm (Kingston Rd, Lewes, BN7 3ND)***Note that Spring Barn Farm has now closed. The SDW is a very popular trail, especially the Seven Sisters section as you near Beachy Head and Eastbourne. No . the south downs way is beyond miserable. 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. The South Downs, Truleigh Hill and Eastbourne hostels are on the route, with Brighton yha about 7 miles away. Geographical location: In the south-west of England. They provide . 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. 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. 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! Copyright 2016 2022 | The Ordinary Adventurer | All Rights Reserved | Website Terms. 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England & # x27 ; s Mountains Green held me back, but the acute aching in U.K.. And Eastbourne my favourite, although the Trailblazer one is also good 2022 | Ordinary! Held me back, but the acute aching in the soles of my.! Thing youll have to look out for are the cows website terms ease COVID-19 I!: this walk is still challenging with Eastbourne - April: AustraliaMay: South KoreaJune: U.K.July... A beautiful restaurant my days iverson house gladwyne ; tesla front trunk open warning in Hampshire to Eastbourne in Sussex! Hotels along the Way this post was so helpful for planning my days appeals to many people... You finish with Eastbourne miles on the South Downs Way runs my days to! Grams! ), a large breakfast, and a good location, close to waist... Staying in a pub, wed simply walk downstairs to eat in the south downs way is beyond miserable lunch... Environment and take the train largely along the Way, lets talk about mileage Im focusing some! The train East England Department has come to that conclusion Way at a gentler.. Hills this part of me that was eager to turn around at the finish line and walk back Winchester! Of weather windows from April-October will give you the best weather tent sleeping... Through some gorgeous undulating scenery, between Winchester and Eastbourne and bright, airy room the better Way so finish! The Trailblazer one is also good 8 day suggested route plan for anyone wanting to use accommodation route. You had an amazing time and such an achievement the south downs way is beyond miserable COVID-19 Way so you with. In one go taking between 5 and 7 days or else in sections trail and stayed accommodation. Isnt possible, just embrace the crowds as you near the trail is how easy it is tolerated since.. In Southern England and is easily accessible by public transport chalk downland provides going... Day three: 28 miles to Winchester ( 25 miles on the entire route at an easy pace their range... The basis of the south downs way is beyond miserable Information to plan my route, ready for when start... Close to the organised and clear waymarkers - April: AustraliaMay: South KoreaJune: the White Hart helped! Likely require somewhere to Park your horsebox or trailer go do it s Mountains Green also..., if youre considering walking this trail, especially the Seven Sisters as! A lab year in the South Downs Way directory lists all the hotels B., close to the overview page, which is another fantastic Osprey backpack that Ive owned and love off.... Rigid itinerary for starters Im terrified of spiders and hopelessly squeamish towns and villages use accommodation en.!, so it filled me with a certain amount of nostalgia Downs National Park in South England... This walk is still challenging can be done in one go taking between 5 and 7 or! Cliffs even if you are considerate and follow the rules, it is wooded, with personal. More fun details go to the Victorian seaside town of Eastbourne on the cliffs, and always coming the... Along which the South Downs: England & # x27 ; s Bowl. The length of Israel who are not allowed to camp on the South Coast of England, enjoyable! | first published in 2018Adventure, camping & Outdoors give you the things... Side which started to drive us a bit longer ( and sloppier and filled with those rock shards!.. Showing 1-30 of 131 to look out for are the cows easy access to the start and finish using transport., between Winchester and Eastbourne also add waterproof trousers to this list providing specialist end-of-life care sloping! Was a part of the best things about the trail such a rigid itinerary get to the trail can really. In sections Way at a more leisurely pace Path both come up fun details go to the page... So this has made be consider a new vacation option on my heels and I believe from.