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. That could, of course, be because cyclists travel faster so were more likely to overtake us. Its pretty damn hard to lose the trail. The accommodation recommendations below are as close to the trail as possible. One of my highlights of this year has been successfully walking the South Downs Way. I can recomend checking out: Here are some useful links to other resources, as well as links to blogs to give you a different perspective from others who have hiked the route: Thank you for reading my guide and I hope it was helpful I really do love this hike and I hope this will make it easier for you to plan your own adventure. The staff were welcoming and kind, the roast dinner was delicious, and it was generally a cool, historic place to spend time in. I wanted to start with a brief introduction to give this guide context. If you really want to experience the diversity of the South Downs national park (or you're just looking for a fun new challenge! 98 miles (158 km) The South Downs Way is a long distance footpath and bridleway. Its probably just as likely youll walk through the rain, so dont forget to bring something waterproof. This is Aalto. The owner really helped to make our visit perfect. 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 are also a few cafes where you can treat yourself to a hot drink and ice cream. This long-distance footpath is 100 miles, or 160 kilometres, and is full of stunning countryside, spectacular views on the coast, beautiful parks (including Queen Elizabeth Country Park), and lovely villages with cozy pubs. For experienced walkers that enjoy a challenge, this itinerary allows you to complete the whole South Downs Way in 6 walking days. You could look at organising taxis and pickups for some of them or wild camp (see my heading below on wild camping). My shoes! Google Maps is a great tool to use to plan your food stops each day. If you are planning on walking the South Downs Way while camping en route, heres a suggested itinerary you might like to follow. The first is weather and the second is how busy the trail is going to be. 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. Although wild camping isnt the easiest on the trail and most people opt for b&bs or campsites, its absolutely doable (more on that below). Although the quiet is nice, people watching can also be very entertaining! I loved this pair from Black Diamond! Dont forget to also sign up to my newsletter to stay up to date with future adventures. Itll be blustery, cold and windy over winter so youll want to wrap up warm. The South Downs Way --Submitted by Mark Worthington. Heres one for all my solo women out there: the South Downs Way felt extremely safe to walk alone. During the summer, bees and butterflies flit over classic flowers such as orchids, scabious, gorse and heather. The older models that were removed from the front lines intact were sent to the training grounds. I also enjoyed spending a night in Eastbourne after finishing my walk. Had some ice creams and lunch along the way and a bag of chips at the end. The South Downs is fantastic riding country. Well.the simple answer is yes. Join my irregular bi-monthly(ish) newsletter. Best wishes. 8-9 days is a good estimate to walk the entire route at an easy pace. There are 2 factors to consider when picking your dates. You do pass the odd pub and (in peak season) cafes and ice cream vans in hot spots, like along the Seven Sisters way. Thats good to hear! For the start point, you want to head to Winchester. A great way to spend time with family and a really good experience overall though I dont think I could have kept up the pace for another four days. So it's incredibly accessible and you're never far from a train station or cosy pub! 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). Most people spend 7 or 8 days walking the whole South Downs Way. And if there werent? Whether this hulking Churchill MkII tank met a mechanical doom or was strategically located in the . Quotes tagged as "miserable" Showing 1-30 of 131. HIKE, BIKE, OR RIDE THE SOUTH DOWNS WAY. In terms of difficulty, our guidebook suggested the South Downs Way is one of Britain's easiest National Trails. Imagine slapping your feet down on a hard, uneven surface for ten hours straight and you have some idea of how painful the walk can be for your arches. Counting every gram and dont want to over pack if i dont need to. I also have really flat feet, but I used to run (like a zillion years ago now) so I think I could handle it. I, however, recommend staying in as many pubs and B&Bs as possible the accommodation was one of the highlights of our walk! The views are pleasant and consistent. We wild camped the whole way, bringing all the food with us bought in advance. The South Downs National Park welcomes visitors from across the country, and the world to experience its natural wonder, far-reaching views and endless skies (on a good day of course!). Alternatively, hop aboard one of the Breeze up to the Downs buses, a network of three bus services linking Brighton with some of the most popular South Downs destinations close to the city . 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. 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. 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! Most people opt for walking the South Downs Way at a gentler pace. Plan a cycling adventure today with our comprehensive guide. Start/finish: Plough and Harrow, Litlington . There are no facilities. This combination is tough underfoot and acts as a meat tenderiser on your soles. It made for a fun physical challenge and was a great way to spend a week in nature. The climb was rewarded by views inland across the Sussex Weald to the North Downs, and south to the sea at Newhaven. 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. Hotel in East Meon. If you are an experienced hiker, you may want to look at doing the trail over 5-6 days to make the distances each day a bit more challenging. Today, Im excited to start writing about my walk by sharing a huge overview of what its like to tackle the South Downs Way. 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. They provide . It came with an en-suite bathroom complete with bath, which was greatly appreciated for soaking my blisters. The South Downs Way stretches 100 miles from Winchester to the Victorian seaside town of Eastbourne on the South Coast of England. The South Downs Way is one of 16 National Trails in the UK. 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. Im hoping to walk the South Downs Way this summer and this post was so helpful for planning my days. Take a Look at our recommended walks. This film shows a couple wildcamping on the South Downs Wayitll give you an idea of the types of spaces you might find: I also really love this video of a lady who travelled the SDW over a 5 day period. 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 . In March-April, when the fields are dotted with lambs and calves, the trees begin to bud. As with any other hack, we strongly recommend you bring your mobile phone, allowing you to contact someone for help should it be required. For this reason, the only suitable places we found were small flat spots very near to the trail itself. No . Day 2: Cheriton to Petersfield 13 miles Camping at Wetherdown Camping (Droxford Rd, East Meon, Petersfield, Hants, GU32 1HR) close to the trail. These rocks were subsequently uplifted to form the Weald-Artois Anticline. 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. Thank you , Your email address will not be published. My tip: when youre planning your walk, make sure you include the distances to and from your accommodation. This is a very manageable trail in so much as the route is easy to follow and the terrain is flat and with very little ascent. I wouldnt have known that, but now Im searching for the most cushioned shoes possible to try to make it easier on my feet! This is my part of the world (Im a short drive from Amberley) Im so glad that you liked it!! 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. It is wooded, with a defined ridge along which the South Downs Way runs. If doing a poo, you need to be a decent way off the trail and at least 200m away from any water sources. Fairly certain it would kill me, though, hahaha :-). I walked a walk just to the west, the Clarendon Way from Winchester to Salisbury, over two days earlier this year. If one were coming from the US, how would they get to the trail? This would require you to cover around 12-15 miles a day. The east half is a bit more spectacular. Eastbourne:Albert & Victoria B&B I mostly stayed here because the the rooms looked so old fashionedthat I thought it was funny. theo coumbis lds; the south downs way is beyond miserable; 30 . Each year thousands head out to explore the trail - this is what they see.https://www.s. In the U.K., school holidays start on around the 15th July and last until around the 5th September, so early-July was a fantastic time to walk! Day 3: Petersfield to Chichester 19 milesCamping at New House Farm (New House Lane, East Dean, Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 0NJ). 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. This trail is so beautiful! 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. We started on the 8th July and it landed us with wonderful sunshine. I use the money to pay for hosting and domain fees to keep the site running. It wasnt rare for us to walk for a couple of hours without seeing another human. We veered off-course by accident and followed the Monarch Way for 15 minutes before realising, but it was an easy cut across a field to rejoin the South Downs Way. South Downs Eco Lodge & Camping. The hospices of Sussex are dedicated to providing specialist end-of-life care. The many hundreds of miles of single track and bridlepaths spurring from the South Downs Way the trail and National Park means it is not only a haven for horse riders but a mecca for Mountain Bikers. Your blog is full of lots of information which is great. Ah, I love that. In particular when you reach the cliffs and have the dramatic coastline ocean views. The South Downs, Truleigh Hill and Eastbourne hostels are on the route, with Brighton yha about 7 miles away. For those of you who want to make your walk a little easier, there is a bag transportation service you can utilise. the south downs way is beyond miserable . It is renowned for exhibiting the best of southern English countryside with its rolling hills, glassy chalk streams, bucolic farmer's . Why? "Each indulgence in pleasure is an appointment made with misery.". The South Downs Way is 100 miles (160 km) in length. Hmmm.. you could try just doing a couple of days of the South Downs Way to start with, rather than the entire thing. Some great tips here for walking the South Downs Way. The Cicerone South Downs Way guide book is my favourite, although the Trailblazer one is also good. "The Palestinians are a miserable people and they deserve to be.". The South Downs Way is a long distance footpath in Southern England and is one of Britain's National Trails. Wingrove is a beautiful stay but if thats too much out of your price bracket, stay. Despite my blisters and foot pain, I absolutely loved walking the South Downs Way. Otherwise, this list should cover everything you need. It looks like a beautiful walk, aside from all the pain! The South Downs Way is a long distance walking trail that runs for 100 miles across the length of the South Downs. It was a sudden, three-pronged assault on the senses. I personally walked 114miles/182km in the end. Theyll help your feet so much! We recommend spraying your horse with fly spray, especially in the Summer months, to ensure both horse and rider are comfortable and safe throughout. 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. 19 April 2016, 12:00am; Photo by DAVID ILIFF. East Meon to South Harting: 12.5 miles/20 km, South Harting to Amberley: 20 miles/32 km, Steyning to Kingston-near-Lewes: 22 miles/35 km, Kingston-near-Lewes to Alfriston: 13 miles/21 km, Alfriston to Eastbourne: 10.5 miles/17 km. We hop on the train to Eastbourne, and examine the hiking route we'll be taking. The chalk rock of the South Downs was formed from the remains of sea creatures at a time when this area was the bed of a shallow sea during the Late Cretaceous period 66 to 100 million years ago. Or a few days of the Thames Path, as thats super-flat and easy to walk. :D. The yha hostels on the SDW are excellent. Or you can subscribe to my YouTube channel. Five days of walking. Because time was short, we opted to not do the full trail in one go and settled on a 50mile multi-day hike, from Amberley train station to Eastbourne. Wingrove is a beautiful stay but if thats too much out of your price bracket, stay. 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. The South Downs is a chalk range thats scattered with huge shards of flint. And lets face it: heading downstairs to have dinner is exactly whats needed after a long day of walking. You should take away any toilet paper that you use. download. No commitment. 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. For women you might like to take apee clothwith you (only for summer as youll need some sun to dry it). Your mileage will considerably increase though if you are travelling into villages/towns for accommodation as there arent many conveniently located on the trail so this will result in a lot of yo-yoing. 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. For the most part, youll be walking alone without any other humans in sight. 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. 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). 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. Stretching the full width of the South Downs National Park . Day 6: Alfriston to Eastbourne (13 miles)Staying at: Albert & Victoria (77 for 2 including breakfast.an AMAZING hotel!!). I decided I wanted to stretch myself more as a hiker and to try a multi-day hike..specifically one that was wild camping. Walking conditions are reasonably easy due to the fast draining chalk, though some sections are steep. 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. The South Downs Way is one of the 16 National Trail walks that criss-cross their way around the United Kingdom. Especially on a hot day. The horrifying cost of Hancocks Covid testing targets. But maybe not quite 20 mile days! Navigation wise, the trail is consistently marked (with an Acorn on the signpost waymarker indication a National Trail with a yellow arrow showing the right way for foot users). Theres also a super-useful distance calculator in the book that gives the mileage from village to village this enabled us to know how far we could expect to walk each day, rather than guessing with Google Maps. We offer 4 itineraries covering the whole route. Camping is available within the park and there is basic barn accommodation, too, from 14 for a car and two people. You can pack wraps and tups of peanut butter for lunches, pasta, couscous or freeze-dried meals for dinner. The 100 miles (160 Km) long South Downs Way National Trail follows the old routes and droveways along the chalk escarpment and ridges of the South Downs. There is an option to book taxis to take you to and from your accommodation. 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. Most consider West to East to be the best way and I agree! Its always good practice to have a spare 1 litre of water with you than you think you need. 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. 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. Trailblazer guides are so good for walking in the U.K.! 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! Up there you'll find the most [] 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. With Bivvy bags you would definitely find wild camping South Downs easier (read more about in this Bivvy Bag guide). Difficulty level: easy to moderate. License: CC BY-SA 3.0. Not all rides need to be on the path, why not take a leisurely tour between scenic villages on your road or regular bike. (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. 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. For the most part though I carried all my own supplies as I was wild camping so not able to stock up. For something fancier, I can suggest heading to Skylar which is a beautiful restaurant. Fun fact: several years ago, I attempted to walk the length of Hadrians Walland ended up having to drop out on day three. 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. There arent a huge amount of shops en route. The Devil's Punch Bowl. The hardest obstacle literally was the surface of the track. Not only is the scenery breathtaking, but the pubs are cosy, the locals friendly, and the walking challenging but in a good way. Of course, this figure is trail distance only as most walkers stay in accommodation located another few miles away from the Way. South Downs Way is a long thru hike and bridleway along the South Downs in the south of England. 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). As someone who believed walking poles were exclusively for douchebags and grandparents, Im holding up my hands and confessing to being a convert. An airline once tore a hole in my Osprey backpack and they had it repaired and back in my hands in under a week all for free!). I physically retched as I watched him eating unmentionables in the Australian jungle. Just curious why some days you walked 8 miles and others 22 :). For the most part, though, I was surprised by how few people we encountered. South Downs Way - 8 Days & 7 Nights. There is little shelter for long stretches so when it did rain we had no choice but to keep pushing on. 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. Distance: 100 miles over three days. Thats always an added bonus in this country! 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. TQ032123) which is a wild camping space right on the trail. 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. Characterised by its rolling hills and chalk downland, the South Downs Way has impeccable drainage properties, meaning . 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. The Birling Gap is one of best known parts of the south coast Credit: Getty. Its about a five minute walk from restaurants and pubs, and the breakfast was so delicious and healthy! at Ye Olde Smugglers Inne for something nice but more basic (95 for 2 dinner available for an additional 20). The energetic can walk the entire length using the South Downs Way. All the hotels and b&bs come with a personal recommendation they are clean, comfortable and have great customer service. Text settings. Ecstasy (noun): an overwhelming feeling of great happiness or joyful excitement.From the Greek ecstasis (standing outside oneself). If you are set on walking the South Downs Way at a slight more challenging pace, the below itinerary may suit you better. Miserable Person Quotes. by . the south downs way is beyond miserable. May 4, 2021. 8 days is a reasonable target for most people with reasonable fitness . The route passes by it on the way out of town. Best views on the South Downs Way. This 100 mile (160km) off-road National Trail picks its way through the entire length of the South . This looks so cool! Wow! The 9 day trip is done at a more leisurely pace. Butser Hill is the highest point along the trail at 270 metres. I had never even thought about doing a long distance walk but now Im super interested. the south downs way is beyond miserablebrown sugar pork chops grilled. Over the years, Ive walked many sections of the trail multiple times over the (especially my favourite stretch the Seven Sisters walk which you can do as a lovely day hike). Matt Hancock and I have almost nothing in common. Mai 2022 . On one particular day, we happened to be walking during the South Down Century, where cyclists race across the full hundred miles in one day. Its about a 2 mile hike to reach the campsite from the trail or you can arrange a taxi pickup. There are stunning, panoramic views to the sea and across the Weald as you travel the 100 mile length of the South Downs Way from Winchester to Eastbourne, culminating in the impressive chalk cliffs at Seven Sisters. What an accomplishment! The park has a resident population of around 110,000 people and 125,000 sheep. If you do only one day of the South Downs Way, make it this one. The South Downs is a long range of chalk hills, and the trail runs largely along the top of them. We spent a couple of hours hitting up the main attractions: Winchester Cathedral (one of the largest in Europe), The Great Hall (a 13th Century hall featuring a round table thats falsely linked to King Arthur), and the City Mill (where the walk starts from), and decided wed return at some point to spend even more time there. Thank you again. Macs Adventure has been organising self-guided walking tours on the South Downs Way since 2010.Being one of the UK's classic National Trails, the South Downs Way proved popular from the outset. There are 2 approaches: prepare the food yourself (cheaper) or eat out along the way (better suited if staying in accommodation rather than camping). Subpar gear but superior English weather. Shop the Largest Selection, Click to See! This Campsites South Downs Way directory lists all the campsites available near the trail. 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