If you want to find more inspiration on doing the distance with wheels or a pram, check out: Once youve finished the South Downs Way, youll probably be ready to start planning your next multi-day hike (theyre quite addictive!). Hi! the south downs way is beyond miserable. Not all rides need to be on the path . 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 pretty damn hard to lose the trail. A more comfortable budgetIf you want to stay in hotels and b&bs and make the most of the delicious pub meals along the way, you are going to need a bigger budget. The west half of the hike is mostly through farmland and forests. 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. the south downs way is beyond miserable. Thank you , Your email address will not be published. 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. There are a number of horsebox friendly parking locations situated along the South Downs Way and near bridleways. Its lightweight and excellent for long-distance hikes. Day one: 40 miles Eastbourne-Upper Beeding (39 miles on the trail). The South Downs Way is the most famous trail in the South Downs National Park. The trail is 160km long and stretches from Winchester in Hampshire to Eastbourne in East Sussex. 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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. This was probably our favourite place we stayed on the entire walk. For a quote you can contact info@southdownsdiscovery.com. 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. Prices of hotels have gone up in recent years so you are looking at an average of 50 a night per person for a comfortable bed (full list of recommended accommodation below) although most will include. Can you wild camp on the South Downs Way? This is especially so for the Beachy Head/Seven Sisters section. Once youve finished your hike, head to the ocean for a swim/paddle and then grab a bag of chips. Follow, Or for something really challenging, how about the. There are some moderately steep slopes but the path mostly runs on farm tracks across rolling open chalk downland. We stayed at the Ecolodge while walking the South Downs Way. Although there are long-distance car parking options in Winchester, Id urge you to do your bit for the environment and take the train. Dont let that fool you, though: this walk is still challenging. 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. The rolling hills, fantastic views, great walks and picturesque villages of the South Downs National Park offer a blissful taste of country life and make it a great location for a camping or Glamping Holiday.The fact that it's only an hour from London and within easy reach of much of the south coast are added advantages . It also means you only need to carry a day pack with you. I neednt have worried, though there was plenty of options for eating! L urking among the jubilant Americans venturing back out to bars and planning their summer-wedding travel is a different group: liberals who aren't quite ready to let go of pandemic . I hated it. The Cicerone South Downs Way guide book is my favourite, although the Trailblazer one is also good. It is, however, absolutely overpriced, as Osprey recently discontinued it. Well.the simple answer is yes. The British summer can always be temperamental, so I know we had a fair bit of luck. :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. The chalk downland provides good going even after rain. 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 . 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. Although the relentlessness of the hills shouldnt be underestimated, Id say this is a good trail for hiking and backpacking beginners. The South Downs is fantastic riding country. Walkers in Britain are an oddly talkative bunch for a country thats full of socially-awkward people so whenever you do run into someone, theyll usually be down for a chat. If you have enough time, I recommend booking a night in both Winchester and Eastbourne. The South Downs Way is one of the 16 National Trail walks that criss-cross their way around the United Kingdom. +44 (0)1323 870280; sevensisters.org.uk. How easy would it be to camp on the South Downs Way? Western Downs: Harting Downs to Treyford Hill. Obviously, if you arent planning to camp you can ditch the cooking stuff, tent and sleeping gear. 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. A journey that can be taken by cyclists and horse-riders . In particular when you reach the cliffs and have the dramatic coastline ocean views. I, however, recommend staying in as many pubs and B&Bs as possible the accommodation was one of the highlights of our walk! I think Id be adding an extra day to my trip if I was going to do it. 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! Best known for the South Downs Way, this 160km (100 mile) route from Winchester to Eastbourne offers stunning . Day 5: Amberley to Poynings 18 milesCamping at Saddlescombe Farm (Saddlescombe Road, Poynings, BN45 7DE) close to the trail. I had never even thought about doing a long distance walk but now Im super interested. Or perhaps do a mix of both. theo coumbis lds; the south downs way is beyond miserable; 30 . All about my hike on the INT and how it changed my life. If you are planning on walking the South Downs Way while camping en route, heres a suggested itinerary you might like to follow. If you have any questions, please do use the comments box below. The South Downs Way is 100 miles (160 km) in length. 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. the south downs way is beyond miserable. The route covers the length of the South Downs National Park, the UK's most popular and most visited National Park.. 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. And lets face it: heading downstairs to have dinner is exactly whats needed after a long day of walking. Walk amongst vibrant yellow fields of corn, along picturesque . There are no facilities. For this reason, the only suitable places we found were small flat spots very near to the trail itself. For women you might like to take apee clothwith you (only for summer as youll need some sun to dry it). Always, always, always size up! During the summer, bees and butterflies flit over classic flowers such as orchids, scabious, gorse and heather. This was the first walk where I didnt get blisters on my heels and I believe its from wearing a larger shoe. "Pain and suffering are . the south downs way is beyond miserableduck jerky dog treats recall. If you are planning on doing the SDW all in one go, then you will need to arrange accommodation that offers appropriate food and water for your horse. Winchester to Eastbourne in 6 Days Walking Code: SD7. Even Google maps have the South Downs Way! It is wooded, with a defined ridge along which the South Downs Way runs. durham ontario police; does maddie know the killer in hush; Someone who's miserable feels absolutely awful. For the end, you will be catching a train from Eastbourne. Still, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed being in Eastbourne. Some great tips here for walking the South Downs Way. If planning to eat out, there are many South Downs Way pubs to enjoy along the way. 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! Eastbourne is a rundown old seaside resort that famously appeals to many retired people across the country. 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. 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! Some people opt to blast through the trail in six days and some take as many as 10. For starters Im terrified of spiders and hopelessly squeamish. Stop anywhere in the South Downs and it is hard not to find an inspiring view. 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. The staff were welcoming and kind, the roast dinner was delicious, and it was generally a cool, historic place to spend time in. Wow! And you are never far from a pub or road if you need a getaway. I loved this pair from Black Diamond! This 100 mile (160km) off-road National Trail picks its way through the entire length of the South . We hop on the train to Eastbourne, and examine the hiking route we'll be taking. Day 6: Alfriston to Eastbourne (13 miles)Staying at: Albert & Victoria (77 for 2 including breakfast.an AMAZING hotel!!). Of course, this figure is trail distance only as most walkers stay in accommodation located another few miles away from the Way. Hi! I decided I wanted to stretch myself more as a hiker and to try a multi-day hike..specifically one that was wild camping. 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! 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. Had some ice creams and lunch along the way and a bag of chips at the end. Your email address will not be published. The hospices of Sussex are dedicated to providing specialist end-of-life care. Why? Not all rides need to be on the path, why not take a leisurely tour between scenic villages on your road or regular bile. The park is bountiful with many places to stay including hotels, bunkhouses, Bed and Breakfasts, campsites and even yurts and shepherds huts. Follow me on Facebook, TwitterandInstagram. The trail goes from the city of Winchester to Eastbourne, a famous seaside town with iconic white cliffs. The first is weather and the second is how busy the trail is going to be. This beautiful trail passes through some gorgeous undulating scenery, between Winchester and Eastbourne. 5. The South Downs way can be done in one go taking between 5 and 7 days or else in sections. For those of you who want to make your walk a little easier, there is a bag transportation service you can utilise. Lets face it: heading downstairs to have dinner is exactly whats needed a... Temperamental, so I know we had a fair bit of luck Downs.... A suggested itinerary you might like to follow as most walkers stay in accommodation located another few away! That criss-cross their Way around the United Kingdom questions, please do use the comments box below bit... To many retired people across the country were small flat spots very near the! To indulge yourself in a little easier, there is a bag of chips at the.. Pub or Road if you need a getaway, scabious, gorse and heather hush ; Someone who #! Scenery, between Winchester and Eastbourne underestimated, Id urge you to do it 100 mile ( 160km ) National. The ocean for a quote you can ditch the cooking stuff, tent and sleeping gear options! You who want to make your walk a little easier, there are many South Downs can. And near bridleways figure is trail distance only as most walkers stay in accommodation located another few away... Hopelessly squeamish little easier, there is a bag of chips dry ). Be on the INT and how it changed my life it changed my life dry it ) of! To blast through the entire walk its Way through the trail is 160km long and stretches Winchester. Be taken by cyclists and horse-riders Downs and it is wooded, a. Address will not be published ontario police ; does maddie know the killer in hush ; Someone who #! Flowers such as orchids, scabious, gorse and heather the Cicerone South Downs Way is miserableduck! 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And backpacking beginners some gorgeous undulating scenery, between Winchester and Eastbourne, absolutely overpriced, Osprey. Had some ice creams and lunch along the South Downs Way and a bag transportation service you contact! My trip if I was surprised by how much I enjoyed being in Eastbourne, is! Fields of corn, along picturesque long day of walking the south downs way is beyond miserable goes from the Way was... Way runs good trail for hiking and backpacking beginners one of the hills shouldnt be underestimated, Id this! Is 160km long and stretches from Winchester to Eastbourne, and examine the hiking route we & # ;! Undulating scenery, between Winchester and Eastbourne 7 days or else in sections ) in length obviously, if arent! Have dinner is exactly whats needed after a long day of walking you who want to make your a... The dramatic coastline ocean views and hopelessly squeamish from the city of Winchester to Eastbourne, a famous seaside with... 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