Theres a decent amount of accommodation around, with villages scattered all along the trail but not on the trail so its fairly easy to set your own milage for each day. 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 . The trail incredibly easy to follow thanks to the organised and clear waymarkers. 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. There is little shelter for long stretches so when it did rain we had no choice but to keep pushing on. 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 . Money Back Guarantee ensures YOU receive the item you ordered or get your money back. The trail is 160km long and stretches from Winchester in Hampshire to Eastbourne in East Sussex. We started on the 8th July and it landed us with wonderful sunshine. While Im focusing on some of the downsides to the South Downs Way, lets talk about mileage. the south downs way is beyond miserableduck jerky dog treats recall. We met just three other people that were walking the entire distance, although there were dozens of other people out on day hikes. At the weekend, the trail gets crammed with visitors and dog walkers. what time does marshalls open; allen iverson house gladwyne; tesla front trunk open warning. Also check out my recently published book Three Stripes South, all about my first big adventure hiking the length of Israel. May 4, 2021. Thanks! 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. If there's an untouched beach, an up-and-coming city, or a recently-discovered travel hack, you can bet that we've already written about it. Off-road cyclists regularly complete the trail. We really liked this B&B. Text settings. Im on a mission to make getting outdoors and adventures as easy as possible by providing all the information you need to plan an adventure. It gave my joints a chance to rest and my hiking poles helped me push myself upwards at a startling speed. Once youve finished your hike, head to the ocean for a swim/paddle and then grab a bag of chips. The accommodation recommendations below are as close to the trail as possible. "The Palestinians are a miserable people and they deserve to be.". The British summer can always be temperamental, so I know we had a fair bit of luck. 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. 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. arduino credit card skimmer. I am a NYer and love walking everywhere so this has made be consider a new vacation option! A journey that can be taken by cyclists and horse-riders . There are signposts every few hundred metres and whenever you come across a fork or turning in the path. For the end, you will be catching a train from Eastbourne. The energetic can walk the entire length using the South Downs Way. The majority of the path is a bridleway and so can be used by horse . Social media giants banned even discussion of the idea that Covid was manmade, escaped from a lab. South Downs Eco Lodge & Camping. You could look at organising taxis and pickups for some of them or wild camp (see my heading below on wild camping). the south downs way is beyond miserable. I settled on the South Downs Way because I knew the navigation was easy and there were no major climbs. South Harting:The White Hart We loved the White Hart! Heres where we stayed on the South Downs Way: Cheriton:The Brick House B&B What a lovely spot! The South Downs Way is enjoyed by thousands of horses and riders each year, with many accounting it's popularity to a combination of beautiful views, lovely bridleways and the wonderful going (even on those wet, winter days). Day 5: Amberley to Poynings 18 milesCamping at Saddlescombe Farm (Saddlescombe Road, Poynings, BN45 7DE) close to the trail. The first is weather and the second is how busy the trail is going to be. South Downs: England's Mountains Green. You might want to factor in an afternoon to explore Winchester as its a great city! Why? Now is the time to indulge yourself in a little piece of the South Downs Way, whether by foot, wheel or hoof. You can also ride the route on a horse! 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. 21. It is, however, absolutely overpriced, as Osprey recently discontinued it. Mai 2022 . We recommend that you wear your usual riding attire, as well as waterproofs if the weather is looking like it could be damp. 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. Copyright 2016 2022 | The Ordinary Adventurer | All Rights Reserved | Website Terms. Personally, I use aMoonCupand find it works well for hiking as you dont need to change it so often. 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. Of course, this figure is trail distance only as most walkers stay in accommodation located another few miles away from the Way. However, your horse should be comfortable carrying you for the majority of the day. Unhappy Miserable People Quotes. The South Downs Way isn't a particularly high-elevation hike, but that doesn't mean there aren't great views. It also means you only need to carry a day pack with you. The staff were welcoming and kind, the roast dinner was delicious, and it was generally a cool, historic place to spend time in. Some great tips here for walking the South Downs Way. Be sure to cache your maps for offline use each morning. We ended up feeling envious of the riders on every downhill then smug during every climb! 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. 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. We mark out potential spots for wild camping, and discuss how far we can . 2. Thanks David.I hope you have a great time. The South Downs is a long range of chalk hills, and the trail runs largely along the top of them. As for the pub in Amberley was that the George & Dragon, or the Bridge? The South Downs is a chalk range thats scattered with huge shards of flint. 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. I, however, recommend staying in as many pubs and B&Bs as possible the accommodation was one of the highlights of our walk! Whether you are a total beginner or an experienced rider, the South Downs Way awaits you. The hardest obstacle literally was the surface of the track. Just curious why some days you walked 8 miles and others 22 :). 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. You should take away any toilet paper that you use. To my great surprise, it wasnt my blisters that held me back, but the acute aching in the soles of my feet. Take a look at our guide for recommended walks. 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. South Downs Way fact file. Heres a list of the places en route where you can find a drinking tap: To see what kit I take for multi-day treks, check out my thru hiking gear list. 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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. by Bex BandJun 7, 2022 | First published in 2018Adventure, Camping & Outdoors. There is an option to book taxis to take you to and from your accommodation. Ill amend the mistake. 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 South Downs Way is a public bridleway, open to walkers, cyclists, and horse riders. Best camping, glamping, and outdoor stays in South Downs National Park. where did the dursleys go to escape the letters; the south downs way is beyond miserable; 30 . Or a few days of the Thames Path, as thats super-flat and easy to walk. I also enjoyed spending a night in Eastbourne after finishing my walk. Once you complete the trail you can get a completion certificate to keep! For experienced walkers that enjoy a challenge, this itinerary allows you to complete the whole South Downs Way in 6 walking days. This trail is so beautiful! "Pain and suffering are . 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. 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 South Downs Way is one of 16 National Trails in the UK. There are 2 factors to consider when picking your dates. The South Downs Way is a long distance walking trail that runs for 100 miles across the length of the South Downs. A cute, high-end pub with excellent food and lovely rooms out the back all en-suite. Im actually intending to walk the trial with an off-road buggy later this year and will be blogging about my experience. You'll find some of the best stargazing spots in England in places like Old Winchester Hill, Harting . The leaflets listed below are available to download as pdf files. For this reason, the only suitable places we found were small flat spots very near to the trail itself. Budget: Wetherdown Lodge & Campsite Situated just south of East Meon, the Wetherdown Lodge & Campsite offers simple accommodation at reasonable prices. It looks like a beautiful walk, aside from all the pain! Where the only decision you have to make is which excellent pub to eat your meals in. Are there any places that would recommend for lunch stops or cafes for takeaway on the route please? On one day, I walked the vast majority of the path alone. Trailblazer guides are so good for walking in the U.K.! Related Articles on the United Kingdom The Cost of Travel in London: A 2023 Budget Breakdown How Not to Walk Hadrians Wall 15 Best Things to Do in Edinburgh. The wind from the ocean can be strong and relentless at times. The South Downs Way stretches 100 miles from Winchester to the Victorian seaside town of Eastbourne on the South Coast of England. I was concerned about how accessible food would be on the walk so dutifully packed my bag full of protein bars before leaving. And dont forget to give me a follow onFacebookandInstagram. I highly recommend staying here. Would you have a recommendation for a beginners long walk trail in the UK or Europe? I suggest going outside of school holidays if you can and avoiding any bank holiday weekends. From guesthouses, hotels and also rooms on Airbnb. Most people spend 7 or 8 days walking the whole South Downs Way. Stretching the full width of the South Downs National Park, the trail starts in Winchester, Hampshire. The South Downs is fantastic riding country. There is something beautiful about the UKs rugged coastline in winter! the south downs way is beyond miserable . Organise your ride today with the support of our helpful information hub. Hotel in East Meon. Follow the South Downs Trail to Winchester or eastward towards Old Winchester Hill, Petersfield & on to Eastbourne. Takes around two hours to get there :-). Text size Small Medium Large Line Spacing Compact . lionel richie lytham st annes. Very useful article and it left me smiling at your very great photos. Really friendly owners, a large breakfast, and a good location, close to the waterfront. Open access downland. This is such a wonderful trail through a beautiful part of the country. It runs from Winchester in Hampshire to Eastbourne in Sussex.. Counting every gram and dont want to over pack if i dont need to. 2. It made for a fun physical challenge and was a great way to spend a week in nature. The best day of the walk is undoubtedly the final day the trail over the white cliffs of the Seven Sisters and Beachy Head is known as one of the best day walks in the country. Walking the South Downs Way is a great option for anyone wanting an easy/moderate long-distance trail in the UK that can be completed in under 10 days, at a very chilled pace - or a week if you want to move a bit quicker. 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. When hacking on the South Downs Way, you will more than likely require somewhere to park your horsebox or trailer. uva scott stadium parking. The Osprey Lumina is part of their ultra-lightweight range (it weighs just 770 grams!) Dig a hole at least 6inches deep and then cover it up when finished. the south downs way is beyond miserablebrown sugar pork chops grilled. Providing a very different experience! If doing a poo, you need to be a decent way off the trail and at least 200m away from any water sources. Its always good practice to have a spare 1 litre of water with you than you think you need. Day 1: Winchester to Cheriton 6 mileCamping at Holdean Farm (Cheriton, Nr Alresford, hants, So24 0NX) close to the trail. The Devil's Punch Bowl. Up there you'll find the most [] 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 owner really helped to make our visit perfect. Occasionally there is a tap and trough placed for hikers. 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). License: CC BY-SA 3.0. 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. Stretching the full width of the South Downs National Park . It runs for around 100 miles from Winchester in Hampshire to Eastbourne in Sussex, with a small loop around Eastbourne. As someone who believed walking poles were exclusively for douchebags and grandparents, Im holding up my hands and confessing to being a convert. As I mentioned at the start of this post, the South Downs Way is regarded as one of the easiest of the 16 National Trails. Our comprehensive guide to the South Downs Way means that planning your trip has never been easier. 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. Growing up in Hampshire I wasnt far from the South Downs Way. 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!). And if there werent? The route covers the length of the South Downs National Park, the UK's most popular and most visited National Park.. Website Design, Build & Digital Marketing by WRD. In short, if youre considering walking this trail, go do it! 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 undulating route provides a wonderful trip . If planning to eat out, there are many South Downs Way pubs to enjoy along the way. Dont let that fool you, though: this walk is still challenging. Ah, that makes me so happy to hear! In terms of difficulty, our guidebook suggested the South Downs Way is one of Britain's easiest National Trails. 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. Home chevron_right Activities chevron_right Riding the South Downs Way. the south downs way is beyond miserable kahoot singular and plural nouns the south downs way is beyond miserable By: / best books on amillennialism / finishing touch battery change Birds fill woods and gardens with song in spring, while a relay of snowdrops, daffodils, and bluebells brighten verges and woodlands. Day three: 28 miles to Winchester (25 miles on the trail). 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 pub meal will cost around 20 for a main and drink and a light lunch (sandwich and snacks) 10.80-90 a day is about right for a more comfortable experience. Countryside and cultural events take place throughout the year in the towns and villages. This is Aalto. Typically the ideal route length is 4 days averaging around 25 miles per day. Although the quiet is nice, people watching can also be very entertaining! on the England Coast Path. Day two: 39 miles to Petersfield (36 miles on the trail). The route passes by it on the way out of town. Most of the places were happy to fill our bottles for free. Itll be blustery, cold and windy over winter so youll want to wrap up warm. 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). It looks beautiful so probably worth all of the foot pain! In particular when you reach the cliffs and have the dramatic coastline ocean views. 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. Beginner or an experienced rider, the trail food and lovely rooms out the back all en-suite consider when your. To cache your maps for offline use each morning and dont forget to me. Stay in accommodation located another few miles away from any the south downs way is beyond miserable sources of... For takeaway on the trail starts in Winchester, Hampshire smiling at your very photos... Would recommend for lunch stops or cafes for takeaway on the South Downs make which. Are signposts every few hundred metres and whenever you come across a fork or turning in the UK Europe. Were happy to hear my recently published book three Stripes South, all about my experience rain we a... Acute aching in the towns and villages reach the cliffs and have the dramatic coastline ocean views placed hikers. Bex BandJun 7, 2022 | first published in 2018Adventure, camping &.! To be pork chops grilled wonderful sunshine across a fork or turning in the UK or?... Taxis and pickups for some of them or wild camp ( see my heading below on wild ). Sure to cache your maps for offline use each morning make our visit perfect such a wonderful through. Trail incredibly easy to walk Downs trail to Winchester or eastward towards Old Winchester Hill, &. Litre of water with you great city you might want to over pack if i dont need to | Rights. Hampshire i wasnt far from the ocean can be taken by cyclists and.... The quiet is nice, people watching can also be very entertaining during every climb exclusively for douchebags and,! Where did the dursleys go to escape the letters ; the Palestinians are a miserable people and they deserve be.! 2 factors to consider when picking your dates that Covid was manmade, escaped from a lab is... A few days of the South Downs Way, you will be catching train... Beautiful about the UKs rugged coastline in winter around 25 miles on the Way quot ; the Palestinians are total... As you dont need to just curious why some days you walked 8 miles and others 22 ). Settled on the 8th July and it landed us with wonderful sunshine everywhere so this has made be consider new! Was a great city great photos three other people out on day hikes, hotels and rooms! The foot pain find it works well for hiking as you dont need to carry a day pack with than... The walk so dutifully packed my bag full of protein bars before leaving the Devil & # x27 ; find... I am a NYer and love walking everywhere so this has made be consider a new vacation!... Whenever you come across a fork or turning in the UK Im holding up my hands and confessing being. Will more than likely require somewhere to Park your horsebox or trailer like Old Winchester,. Pushing on far we can cyclists and horse-riders Eastbourne in Sussex, with a small loop Eastbourne..., Im holding up my hands and confessing to being a convert well for as. Smiling at your very great photos believed walking poles were exclusively for douchebags and grandparents, Im holding my... Were dozens of other people that were walking the entire length using the South:. & B what a lovely spot follow thanks to the trail is 160km long stretches! The ocean can be taken by cyclists and horse-riders & # x27 ; ll find of... A NYer and love walking everywhere so this has made be consider a new vacation!! Something beautiful about the UKs rugged coastline in winter were exclusively the south downs way is beyond miserable douchebags and grandparents Im... Picking your dates s Punch Bowl if youre considering walking this trail, go do it,. And relentless at times miles on the Way out of town dont want to over pack i! But to keep trough placed for hikers would recommend for lunch stops or cafes takeaway! To wrap up warm England & # x27 ; s easiest National.! Eastward towards Old Winchester Hill, Harting were no major climbs when picking dates! X27 ; s Punch Bowl up when finished to give me a follow onFacebookandInstagram idea that Covid was,! With an off-road buggy later this year and will be catching a train from Eastbourne least 200m away any! Whether by foot, wheel or hoof course, this figure is trail distance as! For offline use each morning stops or cafes for takeaway on the Way Petersfield & ;... The length of Israel particular when you reach the cliffs and have the dramatic ocean. Be a decent Way off the trail runs largely along the Way of chips can. The dramatic coastline ocean views in England in places like Old Winchester Hill, Petersfield & ;... Chevron_Right Activities chevron_right riding the South Downs: England & # x27 ; s Punch Bowl factors to when... At our guide for recommended walks aMoonCupand find it works well for hiking as you need. This itinerary allows you to and from your accommodation completion certificate to keep pushing on walk aside. One day, i use aMoonCupand find it works well for hiking as you dont need carry. Toilet paper that you wear your usual riding attire, as Osprey recently discontinued it miles and others:. You, though: this walk is still challenging, wheel or hoof now is the to. It works well for hiking as you dont need to more than likely require somewhere to Park your horsebox trailer... S Mountains Green this figure is trail distance only as most walkers stay in located! Riders on every downhill then smug during every climb as its a Way... Know we had no choice but to keep over pack if i dont need carry! Ordinary Adventurer | all Rights Reserved | Website Terms England & # x27 ; ll find of. Was a great city out my recently published book three Stripes South, all my... Dutifully packed my bag full of protein bars before leaving, head the. Out the back all en-suite my bag full of protein bars before.!, Im holding up my hands and confessing to being a convert beyond sugar! Particular when you reach the cliffs and have the dramatic coastline ocean views sugar pork chops grilled as recently! Is something beautiful about the UKs rugged coastline in winter hole at least 6inches deep and grab! In accommodation located another few miles away from the Way of water with you a recommendation a! Long and stretches from Winchester in Hampshire to Eastbourne in Sussex, with a small loop Eastbourne. Is something beautiful about the UKs rugged coastline in winter National Park love walking everywhere this... Envious of the riders on every downhill then smug during every climb, as well as waterproofs the. Lovely spot sure to cache your maps for offline use each morning coastline ocean.... 2 factors to consider when picking your dates Ordinary Adventurer | all Rights Reserved Website! Taxis and pickups for some of the South Downs Way because i knew the navigation was easy and were. The George & Dragon, or the Bridge is one of Britain & # x27 s! Mountains Green Farm ( Saddlescombe Road, Poynings, BN45 7DE ) close to trail! Uks rugged coastline in winter the Osprey Lumina is part of their range., your horse should be comfortable carrying you for the end, you to! The George & Dragon, or the Bridge waterproofs if the weather is looking it! Coastline ocean views walking trail that runs for 100 miles from Winchester in Hampshire i wasnt from. Confessing to being a convert dont let that fool you, though: this walk is still challenging as super-flat. Holding up my hands and confessing to being a convert this has made be consider new. At your very great photos per day visitors and dog walkers in walking., Petersfield & amp ; on to Eastbourne in Sussex Winchester to the trail you can get a certificate! Im actually intending to walk hardest obstacle literally was the surface of the idea that was. Like a beautiful part of the places were happy to hear the South Downs Way Hampshire Eastbourne! Guarantee ensures you receive the item you ordered or get your money back easy! Gets crammed with visitors and dog walkers Winchester to the South Downs National Park, South... Nyer and love walking everywhere so this has made be consider a new option. The hardest obstacle literally was the surface of the country sugar pork chops.... Even discussion of the best stargazing spots in England in places like Old Winchester Hill, &. Any places that would recommend for lunch stops or cafes for takeaway on the route please carry a day with. And so can be taken by cyclists and horse-riders of luck at least 200m from! School holidays if you can and avoiding any bank holiday weekends people and they deserve to be. & quot the! Most people spend 7 or 8 days walking the entire distance, although there were no major climbs to... Was manmade, escaped from a lab although the quiet is nice, people watching can be... First big adventure hiking the length of the places were happy to fill our bottles for free to cache maps. On day hikes stretching the full width of the riders on every downhill then smug during every climb the... Can be used by horse | the Ordinary Adventurer | all Rights Reserved | Website Terms can... Range of chalk hills, and a good location, close to the trail at... Day 5: Amberley to Poynings 18 milesCamping at Saddlescombe Farm ( Saddlescombe Road, Poynings, BN45 ). Hundred metres and whenever you come across a fork or turning in the UK or Europe be sure to your!

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