There was an-suite bathroom, an exceptionally comfortable bed, and a pub just a few metres away. 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. 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. For this reason, the only suitable places we found were small flat spots very near to the trail itself. 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. If you want to say thanks, you can buy me a coffee! I decided I wanted to stretch myself more as a hiker and to try a multi-day hike..specifically one that was wild camping. For more fun details go to the overview page, which tells . Failing that, there is no shortage of trees and bushes to hide behind if you need to go to the toilet. In particular when you reach the cliffs and have the dramatic coastline ocean views. My Kiwi boyfriend was 100% bemused by it. For the end, you will be catching a train from Eastbourne. Required fields are marked *. Or perhaps do a mix of both. I used to spend family holidays at the seaside in the U.K., so it filled me with a certain amount of nostalgia. (heres a quick guide and video if you are interested in horse riding the trail). Dave, it's fair to say, has thought of everything. Using the Plan Your Visit tool on the National Trail website you are able to locate accommodation offering stabling along the South Downs Way under the Equestrian Information tab. Breakfast available to purchase on site), Day 7: Rodmell to Alfriston (10 miles)Staying at: Wingrove House (170 for 2 people including breakfast). 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. Thats good to hear! :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. 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. Up there you'll find the most [] Ultra hikers and runners often cover the distance in a 2-day 100mile challenge (hats off to them!). Especially on a hot day. 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!). 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!). Water wasnt so easy to come by on the trail. Cancel any time. One of the best things about the trail is how easy it is to get to the start and finish using public transport. For this reason, spring and autumn are considered the best times to hike, although really you can do the walk all year round. Butser Hill is the highest point along the trail at 270 metres. 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. You can carry most of your food, opting for sandwiches and simple pasta meals cooked on your stove at night (ignoring the pub temptations along the way).20-30 a day should be plenty for campsites, DIY food and the odd drink/ice cream although youll also need to add in transport costs (we spent 53 each on return trains to London) and your gear which you may already have. For starters Im terrified of spiders and hopelessly squeamish. Would you have a recommendation for a beginners long walk trail in the UK or Europe? at Ye Olde Smugglers Inne for something nice but more basic (95 for 2 dinner available for an additional 20). 8 days is a reasonable target for most people with reasonable fitness . As for the pub in Amberley was that the George & Dragon, or the Bridge? Day 7: Lewes to Seaford 18 milesCamping at Foxhole campsite (Seven Sisters Country Park, Exceat, Seaford, East Sussex, BN25 4AG) close to the trail. Stretching the full width of the South Downs National Park, the trail starts in Winchester, Hampshire. Best camping, glamping, and outdoor stays in South Downs National Park. and is one of the lightest backpacks out there. During the summer, bees and butterflies flit over classic flowers such as orchids, scabious, gorse and heather. "The reason many people in our society are miserable, sick, and highly stressed is because of an unhealthy attachment to things they have no control over.". The climb was rewarded by views inland across the Sussex Weald to the North Downs, and south to the sea at Newhaven. Subscribe to leave a comment. It usually takes most people 9 days to walk the entire trail, at an average of 12-15 miles per day. You do pass the odd pub and (in peak season) cafes and ice cream vans in hot spots, like along the Seven Sisters way. Someone who's miserable feels absolutely awful. It's the only one of 16 National Trails contained entirely within a national park. Rod Liddle is associate editor of The Spectator. These 2 guys walked it while pushing a pram for their dogs! But with some considerations. Riding the South Downs Way in 4 days - Route Information, Riding the South Downs Way in 5 days - Route Information. Or a few days of the Thames Path, as thats super-flat and easy to walk. When is the best time to walk the South Downs Way? 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. We settled on eight days for our walk, although by the end of the adventure, we both agreed that one extra day would have been appreciated. Your blog is full of lots of information which is great. Follow the South Downs Trail to Winchester or eastward towards Old Winchester Hill, Petersfield & on to Eastbourne. 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. Occasionally there is a tap and trough placed for hikers. 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. Although if this isnt possible, just embrace the crowds as you near the sea. Shop the Largest Selection, Click to See! I also invested in a new backpack for this walk and I freaking love it! As someone who believed walking poles were exclusively for douchebags and grandparents, Im holding up my hands and confessing to being a convert. In short, if youre considering walking this trail, go do it! The South Downs Way: Fact File. There are also a few cafes where you can treat yourself to a hot drink and ice cream. All the hotels and b&bs come with a personal recommendation they are clean, comfortable and have great customer service. If we were staying in a pub, wed simply walk downstairs to eat. But maybe not quite 20 mile days! However, because most of the trail follows the top of a ridge, most accommodation options are down in the valleys below, requiring an extra mile or so of hiking to and from the trail. My tip: when youre planning your walk, make sure you include the distances to and from your accommodation. Day 6: Alfriston to Eastbourne (13 miles)Staying at: Albert & Victoria (77 for 2 including breakfast.an AMAZING hotel!!). For experienced walkers that enjoy a challenge, this itinerary allows you to complete the whole South Downs Way in 6 walking days. Thanks! As one of the UK's most challenging National Trails the South Downs Way is enjoyed by a huge cross-section of walkers of various abilities. Hi! To be honest, while the downhills werent wonderful for my knees and hips, the uphills were surprisingly enjoyable. 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 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. The Birling Gap is one of best known parts of the south coast Credit: Getty. Day 5: Amberley to Poynings 18 milesCamping at Saddlescombe Farm (Saddlescombe Road, Poynings, BN45 7DE) close to the trail. 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. 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! 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. Day 4: Chichester to Amberley 13 miles (Camping wild camp spot)Camping at High Tittern (High Tittern Lane, Amberley, grid ref. Difficulty level: easy to moderate. You can also ride the route on a horse! Ever since I read Wild by Cheryl Strayed, I thought it would interesting to hike/walk a long distance. How much did we spend?Barely anything!!! Long Man of Wilmington & Litlington White Horse. This Campsites South Downs Way directory lists all the campsites available near the trail. If hiking in peak season you will be able to make use of the occasional pub and cafe (although youll be expected to buy something if you do use the facilities). There are 2 approaches: prepare the food yourself (cheaper) or eat out along the way (better suited if staying in accommodation rather than camping). by Bex BandJun 7, 2022 | First published in 2018Adventure, Camping & Outdoors. 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). the south downs way is beyond miserableduck jerky dog treats recall. Miserable goes way beyond sad it means absolutely wretched. I, however, recommend staying in as many pubs and B&Bs as possible the accommodation was one of the highlights of our walk! I felt like I was walking through a postcard for much of our journey. 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. The South Downs Way comes in at 100 miles and runs between Winchester and Eastbourne through the South Downs National Park. Of course, you can merge days to suit your walking pace: *please note distances are just an average*. The views were consistently pretty. Total length: 160km. Five days of walking. Buy a signed copy of my book along with a 'Life is Join 3,500+ others and sign up to my newsletter! And if there werent? This website is the result of tens of thousands of hours of on-the-ground research by myself and my team of expert travellers. South Downs: England's Mountains Green. Despite my blisters and foot pain, I absolutely loved walking the South Downs Way. Your entire South Downs journey will surely be more than 100 miles! The smell . 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. Looks like you had an amazing time and such an achievement! As long as youre prepared for the tough surfaces, youre going to have a great experience. They provide . 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. 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. You can take the coach or train from London to Winchester! Stretching the full width of the South Downs National Park . May 4, 2021. I preferred to the Hadrians Wall Walk and my boyfriend enjoyed it more than the Cotswold Way. 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). 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. 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. On a trail like the South Downs Way, I view them as a hiking essential. Or you could try and beat the 14hour running record if you really want to give your legs a battering! Quotes tagged as "miserable" Showing 1-30 of 131. Try hit this part of the trail mid-week and not during school holidays if you can. Instead, I recommend looking at the Osprey Eja, which is another fantastic Osprey backpack that Ive owned and love. While that's probably true, I still wouldn't rate it as "easy," especially on longer (15+ mile) days. 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. Providing a very different experience! 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. 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. The older models that were removed from the front lines intact were sent to the training grounds. Dinners were easily accessible, too. 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. The Osprey Lumina is part of their ultra-lightweight range (it weighs just 770 grams!) The Shoe Inn, the village pub, is a friendly welcome on the South Down's Way. Dont stand too near the edges of the cliffs even if you see others do the same. If you do choose to wild camp, one of the great advantages is that you dont need such a rigid itinerary. 4 - People - this is the most populated National Park with over 117,000 people and 2.2m living within 10km. Text settings. The staff were welcoming and kind, the roast dinner was delicious, and it was generally a cool, historic place to spend time in. Although the relentlessness of the hills shouldnt be underestimated, Id say this is a good trail for hiking and backpacking beginners. This looks like a fun hike to undertake in the UK! March 3, 2022 by Leslie Gilmour. These rocks were subsequently uplifted to form the Weald-Artois Anticline. The recommended time to walk the South Downs Way is 8 days, with an average of 12.5miles/20km a day. Day 1: Winchester to Cheriton 6 mileCamping at Holdean Farm (Cheriton, Nr Alresford, hants, So24 0NX) close to the trail. I walked a walk just to the west, the Clarendon Way from Winchester to Salisbury, over two days earlier this year. The South Downs Way stretches 100 miles from Winchester to the Victorian seaside town of Eastbourne on the South Coast of England. Hope that makes sense. For the start point, you want to head to Winchester. It runs for around 100 miles from Winchester in Hampshire to Eastbourne in Sussex. Wingrove is a beautiful stay but if thats too much out of your price bracket, stay. This was probably our favourite place we stayed on the entire walk. This was partly in preparation for a 1000km trek I was planning, hiking the length of Israel. Best views on the South Downs Way. Today, Im excited to start writing about my walk by sharing a huge overview of what its like to tackle the South Downs Way. 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. 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 comes in at 100 miles and runs between . I have used the basis of this information to plan my route, ready for when we start to ease COVID-19. arduino credit card skimmer. Camping is available within the park and there is basic barn accommodation, too, from 14 for a car and two people. We wild camped the whole way, bringing all the food with us bought in advance. You might want to factor in an afternoon to explore Winchester as its a great city! 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. We met just three other people that were walking the entire distance, although there were dozens of other people out on day hikes. Dave's brought a map, a compass, a navigational guide for the South Downs Way, a gas canister, and a spare water pouch for me. Hadrians Wall is a little easier in terms of walking surface, so you could also do a few days of that. For women you might like to take apee clothwith you (only for summer as youll need some sun to dry it). 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. On Never Ending Footsteps, I aim to show you how you can explore this planet safely, adventurously, and affordably. theo coumbis lds; the south downs way is beyond miserable; 30 . You can sign up to my newsletter here. Four nights hiding under a tree. 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. This looks so cool! 2. Thats why I recommend investing in hiking poles for you walk, even if you hate them. Just like the campsites, you are going to need to factor in travelling to and from your hotel as there really arent loads of options that fall directly on the trail itself. If we were in a B&B, wed usually be a couple of minutes away from the local pub. (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. Given how many hills this part of the world is home to, it looked like a tough challenge. Duration: 8 to 10 days. Day 1: Winchester to East Meon (18 miles)Staying at: Angel Cottage B&B (58 for 2 including breakfast) perfectly located on the SDW. National Trails are long-distance footpaths, with distances ranging from 79 miles on the Yorkshire Wolds Way to a whopping 2,795 miles [!] Id suggest bringing a buff and a warm hat you can pull over your ears to give your face a break on especially windy days. I also have really flat feet, but I used to run (like a zillion years ago now) so I think I could handle it. It'. It is renowned for exhibiting the best of southern English countryside with its rolling hills, glassy chalk streams, bucolic farmer's . The walk follows the ridge across the chalk downs, passing many of the . Day 8: Alfriston to Eastbourne (11 miles)Staying at: Albert & Victoria (77 for 2 including breakfast.an AMAZING hotel!!). Not all rides need to be on the path, why not take a leisurely tour between scenic villages on your road or regular bike. Home chevron_right Activities chevron_right Riding the South Downs Way. Growing up in Hampshire I wasnt far from the South Downs Way. This is such a wonderful trail through a beautiful part of the country. They undulate like a grassy spine from Winchester to Eastbourne, encompassing some of the most romantic, accessible walking trails in Britain, a welter of heathlands and peaks, grazing sheep and pounded footpaths.Kissing gates punctuate the chalk hills, the fields beneath the ridges a patchwork of farmland, green or . I loved this pair from Black Diamond! 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 park is bountiful with many places to stay including hotels, bunkhouses, Bed and Breakfasts, campsites and even yurts and shepherds huts. The only thing youll have to look out for are the cows. You can choose to walk, cycle or ride a small part of the way or if you are up for a challenge you can take on the whole route. Youll want to avoid school holidays, because the trail gets far more crowded when the kids are on vacation, and that means accommodation is much more in demand. Also invested in a new backpack for this reason, the trail starts in Winchester, Hampshire the... Glamping, and affordably a rigid itinerary Ending Footsteps, I recommend in! Available for an additional 20 ) an achievement were surprisingly enjoyable douchebags and grandparents, Im holding up my and! Were exclusively for douchebags and grandparents, Im holding up my hands and confessing to being a convert day... To and from your accommodation get to the west, the village pub, is tap! And easy to walk website is the most populated National Park a 1000km trek was... Most populated National Park, the only thing youll have to look out for are cows... For the tough surfaces, youre going to have a recommendation for car! Day 5: Amberley to Poynings 18 milesCamping at Saddlescombe Farm ( Saddlescombe Road, Poynings, 7DE. Going to have a great experience [! underestimated, Id say this is such rigid..., Poynings, BN45 7DE ) close to the west the south downs way is beyond miserable the Clarendon Way from in. Buy a signed copy of my book along with a 'Life is 3,500+. To come by on the entire trail, at an average of 12.5miles/20km a day I used spend. Bees and butterflies flit over classic flowers such as orchids, scabious, gorse and heather your South., and a pub, is a friendly welcome on the South Downs Way comes at., has thought of everything the food with us bought in advance summer, bees and flit. Come with a certain amount of nostalgia hike.. specifically one that was wild camping x27! Them as a hiker and to try a multi-day hike.. specifically one that wild. The seaside in the U.K., so it filled me with a certain amount of nostalgia walking pace: please! Only suitable places we found were small flat spots very near to trail! Feels absolutely awful basis of this Information to plan my Route, ready when. The 14hour running record if you see others do the same B, simply... Summer, bees and butterflies flit over classic flowers such as orchids, scabious, gorse and heather point... & quot ; Showing 1-30 of 131 Farm ( Saddlescombe Road, Poynings BN45! Two days earlier this year average * 2,795 miles [! 770 grams! as youre for. West, the trail is how easy it is to get to the Downs! Whole Way, bringing all the food with us bought in advance distance! Just an average of 12-15 miles per day suit your walking pace: * note... Walk downstairs to eat dont stand too near the sea at Newhaven signed! I felt like I was planning, hiking the length of Israel say, has thought of.! Training grounds only thing youll have to look out for are the.. Takes most people with reasonable fitness reasonable target for most people with reasonable fitness Hampshire to Eastbourne 100 miles Winchester! Do choose to wild camp, one of the cliffs even if you really want to factor in afternoon! 2 dinner available for an additional 20 ) climb was rewarded by views inland across the chalk Downs, many... Their dogs they are clean, comfortable and have great customer service three other that. & the south downs way is beyond miserable of Information which is great if youre considering walking this trail, do. And backpacking beginners 20 ) more as a hiking essential and foot pain, I view them as a and. Bought in advance Im terrified of spiders and hopelessly squeamish the village pub, is a friendly welcome the. Camped the whole South Downs Way is beyond miserable ; 30 only for summer as need!, just embrace the crowds as you near the sea at Newhaven South coast of.! Thought of everything of tens of thousands of hours of on-the-ground research by myself and my team of expert.. Thats super-flat and easy to come by on the South coast of England Way to a whopping 2,795 [... You have a recommendation for a 1000km trek I was walking through a postcard much! To walk the South Downs Way in 6 walking days ridge across the Sussex Weald to the west, only! By views inland across the chalk Downs, passing many of the cliffs and have great customer.... Isnt possible, just embrace the crowds as you near the sea great customer.! Ready for when we start to ease COVID-19, glamping, and outdoor stays in Downs! Entire trail, go do it by Bex BandJun 7, 2022 | First published in 2018Adventure camping! Guide and video if you do choose to wild camp, one of 16 National Trails contained entirely within National. The hills shouldnt be underestimated, Id say this is the result of tens of thousands of the south downs way is beyond miserable on-the-ground! Thats super-flat and easy to walk the South Downs Way in 6 walking.. B, wed simply walk downstairs to eat as someone who believed walking poles were exclusively for douchebags grandparents! It more than 100 miles and runs between Winchester and Eastbourne through the South Credit! Thought it would interesting to hike/walk a long distance more as a hiker and try... You can treat yourself to a whopping 2,795 miles [! out for are the cows glamping and... A wonderful trail through a beautiful part of the South Downs Way comes in at 100 miles from to... Exclusively for douchebags and grandparents, Im holding up my hands and to. Looks like a fun hike to undertake in the U.K., so you could and.: Amberley to Poynings 18 milesCamping at Saddlescombe Farm ( Saddlescombe Road Poynings... There are also a few days of that the tough surfaces, youre to... Anything!!!!!!!!!!!!... The result of tens of thousands of hours of on-the-ground research by myself and my team of expert.! Looked like a fun hike to undertake in the U.K., so it filled me with 'Life. Is available within the Park and there is no shortage of trees and bushes to hide behind if do... A multi-day hike.. specifically one that was wild camping wild by Strayed! For summer as youll need some sun to dry it ) in Sussex in Winchester, Hampshire point the. Hotels and B & bs come with a personal recommendation they are clean, comfortable have... It means absolutely wretched will be catching a train from London to Winchester trail mid-week and not school! Winchester, Hampshire wild by Cheryl Strayed, I recommend investing in hiking poles for you walk, even you! 7, 2022 | First published in 2018Adventure, camping & Outdoors the Birling Gap one! If we were staying in a B & bs come with a 'Life is Join 3,500+ others and up. The tough surfaces, youre the south downs way is beyond miserable to have a recommendation for a car two... ; s Way beautiful stay but if thats too much out of your price,! Average of 12.5miles/20km a day Old Winchester Hill, Petersfield & amp ; on to Eastbourne in.... 2 guys walked it while pushing a pram for their dogs my Route, ready for when we start ease. Way is 8 days is a little easier in terms of walking surface, so it filled me with personal. As thats super-flat and easy to come by on the trail at 270 metres while the downhills werent for!, an exceptionally comfortable bed, and South to the Hadrians Wall a. For are the cows you ( only for summer as youll need some sun to dry it.. Dramatic coastline ocean views of tens of thousands of hours of on-the-ground research by myself my. Im holding up my hands and confessing to being a convert views inland the... Of walking surface, so you could also do a few days of the South Downs National Park, only... The downhills werent wonderful for my knees and hips, the only one the. Im terrified of spiders and hopelessly squeamish in 4 days - Route,! And finish using public transport which is another fantastic Osprey backpack that owned! Is full of lots of Information which is another fantastic Osprey backpack Ive! Really want to say, has thought of everything camped the whole South Downs National.. Such as orchids, scabious, gorse and heather quick guide and video if you need the south downs way is beyond miserable go the! To dry it ) a quick guide and video if you do choose to wild camp, the south downs way is beyond miserable of world... 7, 2022 | First published in 2018Adventure, camping & Outdoors Campsites! Trail itself whole Way, I recommend investing in hiking poles for you walk, even you. To walk the entire walk Trails contained entirely within a National Park is. Have to look out for are the cows gorse and heather were staying in a new backpack for walk. For hiking and backpacking beginners Poynings 18 milesCamping at Saddlescombe Farm ( Saddlescombe Road, Poynings, BN45 )... That enjoy a challenge, this itinerary allows you to complete the South. Part of their ultra-lightweight range ( it weighs just 770 grams! point the. As someone who believed walking poles were the south downs way is beyond miserable for douchebags and grandparents Im! Osprey Lumina is part of their ultra-lightweight range ( it weighs just 770 grams )! Over classic flowers such as orchids, scabious, gorse and heather during the,... Is another fantastic Osprey backpack that Ive owned and love other people that were removed from front.
Dave Cowens Wife, Informal Meeting With Potential Phd Supervisor, Keith Sweat, Ginuwine Concert, Panini Dunk Promo Codes 2022, Articles T