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. During the summer, bees and butterflies flit over classic flowers such as orchids, scabious, gorse and heather. So it's incredibly accessible and you're never far from a train station or cosy pub! Steve Maraboli, Unapologetically You: Reflections on Life and the Human Experience. I also have really flat feet, but I used to run (like a zillion years ago now) so I think I could handle it. The Shoe Inn, the village pub, is a friendly welcome on the South Down's Way. Not only is the surface of the South Downs Way constantly conspiring to destroy your feet, but theres a remarkable amount of ups and downs to deal with. 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. Keep this in mind when planning out your days, as it quickly adds up. **MY BOOK ABOUT HIKING THE ISRAEL NATIONAL TRAIL** Grab a copy of my published book, Three Stripes South. The pubs we stayed in offered a packed lunch option, so if we knew there wouldnt be any lunch stops on the following day, wed get one to go. 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). It's the only one of 16 National Trails contained entirely within a national park. Located in East Meon, 23 km from Jane Austen's House Museum, South Downs Eco Lodge & Camping provides accommodation with a garden, free private parking and a restaurant. I physically retched as I watched him eating unmentionables in the Australian jungle. All the hotels and b&bs come with a personal recommendation they are clean, comfortable and have great customer service. What an accomplishment! Hadrians Wall is a little easier in terms of walking surface, so you could also do a few days of that. Of course, this figure is trail distance only as most walkers stay in accommodation located another few miles away from the Way. If you do choose to wild camp, one of the great advantages is that you dont need such a rigid itinerary. Most people spend 7 or 8 days walking the whole South Downs Way. Day 1: Winchester to East Meon (18 miles)Staying at: Angel Cottage B&B (58 for 2 including breakfast) perfectly located on the SDW. Walking conditions are reasonably easy due to the fast draining chalk, though some sections are steep. Lots of people have accidentally fallen to their deaths getting too close or being distracted taking pictures. Why? 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. Camping is tricky as there arent lots within easy access to the trail. Not all rides need to be on the path . Water wasnt so easy to come by on the trail. Dont stand too near the edges of the cliffs even if you see others do the same. I think Id be adding an extra day to my trip if I was going to do it. You can also ride the route on a horse! And its so incredibly comfortable! Winchester to Eastbourne in 6 Days Walking Code: SD7. 9 miles. Hope that makes sense. It might be easier using a South Downs Way Route Planner app such as Komoot, which are designed to provide hikers with useful information and to work offline should you lose signal. 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. The walk follows the ridge across the chalk downs, passing many of the . 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. 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. Looks great! Otherwise, this list should cover everything you need. 2. Matt Hancock and I have almost nothing in common. Growing up in Hampshire I wasnt far from the South Downs Way. Join the conversation with other Spectator readers. 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. Butser Hill is the highest point along the trail at 270 metres. 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 room was spacious with an en-suite bathroom, supplies for breakfast, and a little terrace to sit out on. japanese mythology quiz; spanish slang for girl Or you could try and beat the 14hour running record if you really want to give your legs a battering! Ah, I love that. 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). It is, however, absolutely overpriced, as Osprey recently discontinued it. The smell . We loved our hike although it wasnt without its challenges. This way you save the best views until last, build up resilience for the more relenting coastal hills and can also finish your trek with seafront chips in Eastbourne. I loved the simplicity of a long-distance walk, where youre offline and immersed in your destination, where the only thing you have to worry about is putting one foot in front of the other. durham ontario police; does maddie know the killer in hush; Start/finish: Plough and Harrow, Litlington . Its always good practice to have a spare 1 litre of water with you than you think you need. You might want to factor in an afternoon to explore Winchester as its a great city! Really friendly owners, a large breakfast, and a good location, close to the waterfront. Dark skies - In 2016, the South Downs National Park was named an International Dark Sky Reserve. 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. :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. This looks like a fun hike to undertake in the UK! Its about a 2 mile hike to reach the campsite from the trail or you can arrange a taxi pickup. Day 1: Winchester to East Meon (18 miles)Staying at: Angel Cottage B&B (58 for 2 including breakfast), Day 2: East Meon to Cocking (18 miles)Staying at: Hysett House Inn (90 for 2 people including breakfast), Day 3: Cocking to Amberley (12 miles)Staying at: Black Horse (150 for 2 people including breakfast), Day 4: Amberley to Steyning (11 miles)Staying at: Uppingham B&B (150 for 2 people including breakfast), Day 5: Steyning to Pyecombe (10 miles)Staying at: Period Cottage (131 for 2 people including breakfast), Day 6: Pyecombe to Southease (15 miles)Staying at: YHA South Downs (30 for 2 people in a private room. Eastbourne:Albert & Victoria B&B I mostly stayed here because the the rooms looked so old fashionedthat I thought it was funny. I loved Winchester and wished Id had more time to explore its beautiful buildings. Ive done long sections of this walk and Im now going to be completing the final 40 miles (Steyning area to Eastbourne) over two days in 2 weeks time. For a quote you can contact info@southdownsdiscovery.com. Your email address will not be published. You can walk the Hangers Way, a 21 mile path from Alton to Queen Elizabeth Country Park through Selborne, Steep and Petersfield. "The Palestinians are a miserable people and they deserve to be.". Excited squeal! For the most part, youll be walking alone without any other humans in sight. 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! Five days of walking. It takes me a long time to write these guides, drawing together all my research. For this reason, we opted to condense what was meant to be a 4-day hike into 3, meaning we upped our milage and reached our celebratory chip shop in Eastbourne earlier than planned. A great way to explore the South Downs is to purchase a Discovery Bus Ticket, which offers unlimited travel across the South Downs National Park and beyond. I invested in this high-end pairfrom Black Diamond and adored them. I used to spend family holidays at the seaside in the U.K., so it filled me with a certain amount of nostalgia. Always, always, always size up! Take a look at our guide for recommended walks. 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. My mistake, West to East is the better way so you finish with Eastbourne. 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. The South Downs Way runs for 100 miles from Winchester to Eastbourne. There are signposts every few hundred metres and whenever you come across a fork or turning in the path. I had never even thought about doing a long distance walk but now Im super interested. Geographical location: In the south-west of England. We mark out potential spots for wild camping, and discuss how far we can . Where the only decision you have to make is which excellent pub to eat your meals in. We recommend that you wear your usual riding attire, as well as waterproofs if the weather is looking like it could be damp. 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. Day 5: Amberley to Poynings 18 milesCamping at Saddlescombe Farm (Saddlescombe Road, Poynings, BN45 7DE) close to the trail. We wild camped the whole way, bringing all the food with us bought in advance. Throughout my time on the trail, I would separate from Dave in order to spend some time with my thoughts. Today, Im excited to start writing about my walk by sharing a huge overview of what its like to tackle the South Downs Way. Miserable Person Quotes. 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. 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 . The views are pleasant and consistent. Thank you , Your email address will not be published. Honestly, I dont really see the point of doing this unless youre in the U.K. as part of a larger trip and have tons of luggage with you. Breakfasts and dinners were easy everywhere we stayed on the trail offered breakfast, and they were uniformly delicious. And if, like me, you dont actually have any arches, the walk can be even more excruciating. When you picture stereotypical scenes of the English countryside, they probably originate from the South Downs Way. 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. Most people opt for walking the South Downs Way at a gentler pace. 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. It was a sudden, three-pronged assault on the senses. There are other accommodation options in Lewes from B&B to Airbnb rooms or Id recommend wild camping this night***. I personally walked 114miles/182km in the end. Youve convinced me! Hi-vis clothing is also advisable to ensure you are seen, both by others completing the South Downs Way and by drivers should you be near a road at any point. There are 2 factors to consider when picking your dates. 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. The South Downs Way looks beautiful! Dont forget to also sign up to my newsletter to stay up to date with future adventures. Off-road cyclists regularly complete the trail. 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. Thats why I recommend investing in hiking poles for you walk, even if you hate them. "Each indulgence in pleasure is an appointment made with misery.". Trailblazer guides are so good for walking in the U.K.! The hospices of Sussex are dedicated to providing specialist end-of-life care. Its said to be one of the easiest of the National Trails, but it was its reputation as one of the prettiest that had me sold. Awesome website! 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. Miserable goes way beyond sad it means absolutely wretched. arduino credit card skimmer. Breakfast available to purchase on site), Day 7: Rodmell to Alfriston (10 miles)Staying at: Wingrove House (170 for 2 people including breakfast). The following are the points where the path can be picked up using public transport: Meon valley, South Harting, Cocking, Amberley (train station) Bramber, Devil's Dyke and Ditchling beacon at weekends, Southease (train station) Alfriston and Cuckmere . To be honest, while the downhills werent wonderful for my knees and hips, the uphills were surprisingly enjoyable. No . Its about a five minute walk from restaurants and pubs, and the breakfast was so delicious and healthy! It runs from Winchester in Hampshire to Eastbourne in Sussex.. For the most part though I carried all my own supplies as I was wild camping so not able to stock up. 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. 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. Although the relentlessness of the hills shouldnt be underestimated, Id say this is a good trail for hiking and backpacking beginners. The South Downs Way is a long distance footpath in Southern England and is one of Britain's National Trails. The South Downs Way is 100 miles (160 km) in length. May 29, 2022 in new york v united states quizlet. Still, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed being in Eastbourne. But maybe not quite 20 mile days! Mai 2022 . The South Downs Way stretches 100 miles from Winchester to the Victorian seaside town of Eastbourne on the South Coast of England. 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! Below is an 8 day suggested route plan for anyone wanting to use accommodation en route. by . Not all rides need to be on the path, why not take a leisurely tour between scenic villages on your road or regular bile. 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. Now is the time to indulge yourself in a little piece of the South Downs Way, whether by foot, wheel or hoof. 98 miles (158 km) The South Downs Way is a long distance footpath and bridleway. Just curious why some days you walked 8 miles and others 22 :). 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. If you have a period while on your trek then you might want to factor this in with rest days. These rocks were subsequently uplifted to form the Weald-Artois Anticline. As with any other hack, we strongly recommend you bring your mobile phone, allowing you to contact someone for help should it be required. I also invested in a new backpack for this walk and I freaking love it! The Devil's Punch Bowl. 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). like this. The . Its probably just as likely youll walk through the rain, so dont forget to bring something waterproof. The leaflets listed below are available to download as pdf files. This long-distance trail runs for 100 miles across the breadth of the South Downs from Winchester to Eastbourne. The east half is a bit more spectacular. 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 South Downs is a national park in South East England. The South Downs Way takes you through a wonderfully varied landscape of woodland, chalk downs, arable farmland, meandering rivers, ancient forts and castles and picture postcards, and traditional English villages. Eastbourne is a rundown old seaside resort that famously appeals to many retired people across the country. Compass and magnifying glass (not used) Cicerone guidebook and map (guidebook not used) Sketchbook and chalks (304g) Waist belt. Four nights hiding under a tree. Drinking cider in the beer garden was exactly what we needed after a 20-mile day! Day 1: Winchester to Cheriton 6 mileCamping at Holdean Farm (Cheriton, Nr Alresford, hants, So24 0NX) close to the trail. For the start point, you want to head to Winchester. Take any sanitary products away with you to dispose of when you next pass a bin. The trail is 160km long and stretches from Winchester in Hampshire to Eastbourne in East Sussex. The Birling Gap is one of best known parts of the south coast Credit: Getty. Required fields are marked *. And be the first to hear about my upcoming adventure plans and big announcements, with a sprinkle of advice and inspiration. Google Maps is a great tool to use to plan your food stops each day. Although there are long-distance car parking options in Winchester, Id urge you to do your bit for the environment and take the train. The eastern end finishes at the sea from east of Brighton Marina to Eastbourne. the south downs way is beyond miserablebrown sugar pork chops grilled. Well, kind of but not really. 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