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Please follow this link to our new South Downs Way website.
Detailed Itinerary for
Walking Holiday in England on
The South Downs Way
Winchester to Eastbourne
via Amberley, Steyning and Alfriston
9 days walking
10 nights
Total Distance:
100 miles
Min/max daily distance:
7/13 miles
Average Daily distance:
11 miles
Grading:
easy/moderate
Features:
Winchester Cathedral
South Downs
Devil's Dyke
Ditchling Beacon
Seven Sisters
Beachy Head
Online Booking Available!
To start your South Downs walking holiday you make your own way to Winchester. We can assist with coach or train transfers if necessary. Car parking is available for the duration of your South Downs Way self-guided hiking vacation. This historic city has much to explore, including the fine Cathedral, the Great Hall and Queen Eleanor's Garden, The Hospital of St Cross, Winchester College, Winchester City Mill, The Gurkha Museum, and The Military Museums. In fact, so much, why not take an extra day.
The hiking trail heads out of Winchester and soon enters the rolling Hampshire countryside. The South Downs Way passes through the village of Chilcomb with a traditional village green and fine thatched cottages. The hiking trail soon reaches Beacon Hill, a National Nature Reserve offering fine views towards Old Winchester and the Meon Valley.
Walking on from Exton the South Downs Way passes one of the finest Iron Age hill forts in southern England and offers superb views; on a clear day the Isle of Wight can be seen. The hiking trail soon reaches the highest point on The South Downs Way, the National Nature Reserve at Butser Hill, an area of chalk grassland. Accommodation is limited so it may be necessary to walk a little off route to Petersfield for your overnight stay.
Hiking on through the Queen Elizabeth Country Park the South Downs Way follows the top of the South Downs escarpment. At Harting Down the hiking trail enters a landscape where there are fewer trees offering fine views of the surrounding area, then the hiking trail descends via Beacon Hill and the Monkton Estate to Cocking Down. After reaching Warren Bottom it's a short distance to the village of Cocking which is only just off the trail.
Walking on from Cocking the South Downs Way soon follows a chalk lane back to the top of the South Downs escarpment. The hiking trail passes through the two nature reserves of Heyshott and Graffham Downs. Before reaching Bignor Hill the route crosses Stanes Street, an old Roman road dating back to 500AD. Before reaching the charming village of Amberley the hiking trail enters the Arun Valley.
Today's hike starts with a fairly easy walk along the top of the downs with fine views over the swampy landscape of Amberley Wild. The trail then leads to the top of Chanctonbury Hill and its iconic ring of beech trees. The views are far reaching to the English Channel. Today's walk end at the downland villages of Steyning or Bramber with its beautiful old buildings.
You hike along the level escarpment of the Downs to Devil's Dyke, with great views in all directions. A short walk takes you to Pyecombe for your overnight stop.
After Pyecombe, you walk past the intriguing Jack and Jill windmills to Ditchling Beacon, then continue along the edge of the escarpment to Lewes.
Optional Day in Lewes
After crossing the River Ouse you hike back onto high ground and continue along the crest of the escarpment, with the high point being Firle Beacon. Then the path drops steadily down the Alfriston, one of the prettiest villages on the South Downs Way, with its higgledy-piggledy Tudor wood-beamed houses.
Today's walk is possibly the highlight of the whole of the South Downs Way. The day's walking starts with following the Cuckmere Valley down to the coast, then along the top of the Seven Sisters, a line of chalk cliffs, to Birling Gap and Beachy Head. Then all too soon you find yourself in Eastbourne.
or extend your stay and spend some time exploring the beautiful area.
What's included
in your UK walking holiday
on The South Downs Way
- accommodation at high quality guest houses, inns or small hotels on a bed and breakfast basis
- room with en-suite or private bathroom, tea and coffee making facilities
- daily luggage transfer
- support should there be any problems on route
- 1:25 OS maps and detailed itineraries
- Guide book to South Downs Way
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This walking holiday in the UK operates March to October and in either direction. The above distances are only a suggestion. If you would like to walk longer or shorter distances, we can arrange that too. Our stated distances include mileage to the accommodation or pickup point and so may not agree with the guide book mileages. Rest days can be taken in any location. Why not combine this walk with a hiking tour in another part of England or the UK. Our staff will be happy to advise on necessary transfers. Online booking available. A deposit of £85 per person is required to secure the booking, with the balance due 6 weeks before departure. |
Optional Extras
for your UK Walking Holiday
on The South Downs Way
- upgrade to the region's most elegant, prestigious and famous hotels, where available
- transfers back to car or station
- parking facilities
- rest days
- inn to inn walks
| South
Downs Way 11 day itinerary: 9 days walking and 10 nights accommodation |
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| £980pp dbl/twin |
£1,320pp single occ |
£1,420pp solo traveller |
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| All prices subject to change | |||
| Lunches
and Dinners These are not included. Evening meals: These are available at overnight locations, either at your accommodation or in the town/village. Packed lunches: These can be provided by your accommodation or can be obtained from a local store, or cafe or inn along the route. |
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Telephone Lines are open 7 days a week. UK +44 (0)1837 880075 or +44 (0)207 193 1252 9am to 9pm US +1 (646) 233-1541 New York 5 hours behind UK time: 4am to 4pm EST AUS +61 (02) 8006 0182 Sydney 10 hours ahead of UK time: 7pm to 7am EADT CAN +1 (647) 4786251 Toronto 5 hours behind UK time: 4am to 4pm EST |
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| Holiday
Travel Insurance We require that you take out holiday insurance as Let's Go Biking Ltd accepts no liability for the following: cancellation, personal accident, illness, loss/theft of personal possessions and/or money, and any unforeseen circumstances, especially travel delays. This is in addition to our existing booking conditions. |
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By Car to Winchester where parking is available
By Train / Bus to Winchester or Eastbourne
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