Google Maps is a great tool to use to plan your food stops each day. 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. Especially on a hot day. 26. And know that you may be asked to move on and will need to do so without complaint. There was an-suite bathroom, an exceptionally comfortable bed, and a pub just a few metres away. "Each indulgence in pleasure is an appointment made with misery.". Throughout my time on the trail, I would separate from Dave in order to spend some time with my thoughts. 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. They provide . When you picture stereotypical scenes of the English countryside, they probably originate from the South Downs Way. the south downs way is beyond miserable. The walk starts at Southease rail station, just the other side of the River Ouse from the lovely village of Southease, and follows the South Downs Way along the scarp slope of the downs all the way to Alfriston. National Trails are long-distance footpaths, with distances ranging from 79 miles on the Yorkshire Wolds Way to a whopping 2,795 miles[!] Thanks David.I hope you have a great time. The full trial has about 4,150m of ascent. Imagine slapping your feet down on a hard, uneven surface for ten hours straight and you have some idea of how painful the walk can be for your arches. 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). The west half of the hike is mostly through farmland and forests. I hated it. You do pass the odd pub and (in peak season) cafes and ice cream vans in hot spots, like along the Seven Sisters way. The downside to having the views is that you are very exposed and this was our biggest challenge as we ended up hiking in some pretty poor weather (it was a rainy long weekend in May). 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. You could look at organising taxis and pickups for some of them or wild camp (see my heading below on wild camping). Buy a signed copy of my book along with a 'Life is Join 3,500+ others and sign up to my newsletter! They were so comfortable! Although the quiet is nice, people watching can also be very entertaining! The passage of time has not left me any less angry about, Theres still a hint of life in the Tory party, Harry, Meghan and the rise and fall of the folie deux, The importance of exposing Matt Hancocks WhatsApp messages, Five things weve learned from Hancocks lockdown files. Did you see anybody doing it while you were walking? You can take the coach or train from London to Winchester! Dont let that fool you, though: this walk is still challenging. Be sure to cache your maps for offline use each morning. It runs from Winchester in Hampshire to Eastbourne in Sussex.. I preferred to the Hadrians Wall Walk and my boyfriend enjoyed it more than the Cotswold Way. The older models that were removed from the front lines intact were sent to the training grounds. 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. Five days of walking. If we were staying in a pub, wed simply walk downstairs to eat. It made for a fun physical challenge and was a great way to spend a week in nature. I loved this pair from Black Diamond! 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. When riding the South Downs Way, you may wish to stop over at a horse-friendly B&B or find a livery yard for the evening. East Meon to South Harting: 12.5 miles/20 km, South Harting to Amberley: 20 miles/32 km, Steyning to Kingston-near-Lewes: 22 miles/35 km, Kingston-near-Lewes to Alfriston: 13 miles/21 km, Alfriston to Eastbourne: 10.5 miles/17 km. 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. The . "The Palestinians are a miserable people and they deserve to be.". I suggest going outside of school holidays if you can and avoiding any bank holiday weekends. I walked a walk just to the west, the Clarendon Way from Winchester to Salisbury, over two days earlier this year. Im actually intending to walk the trial with an off-road buggy later this year and will be blogging about my experience. Fairly certain it would kill me, though, hahaha :-). The South Downs Way Route. 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. Stretching the full width of the South Downs National Park, the trail starts in Winchester, Hampshire. Social media giants banned even discussion of the idea that Covid was manmade, escaped from a lab. If you want to say thanks, you can buy me a coffee! Horse riding in the South Downs National Park: A guide to horse riding in the South Downs Way National Park and along . Trailblazer guides are so good for walking in the U.K.! / the south downs way is beyond miserable. You should take away any toilet paper that you use. The owner really helped to make our visit perfect. The wind from the ocean can be strong and relentless at times. Friends of Sussex Hospices has . We mark out potential spots for wild camping, and discuss how far we can . It would usually take a solid nights sleep for my feet to stop hurting each day just in time for me to start walking again. Today, Im excited to start writing about my walk by sharing a huge overview of what its like to tackle the South Downs Way. Our comprehensive guide to the South Downs Way means that planning your trip has never been easier. Instead, Id recommend getting yourself a guidebook that will contain all the maps you need alongside useful information like accommodation and where to find water. Over the years, Ive walked many sections of the trail multiple times over the (especially my favourite stretch the Seven Sisters walk which you can do as a lovely day hike). The South Downs way is beyond miserable. durham ontario police; does maddie know the killer in hush; Some people opt to blast through the trail in six days and some take as many as 10. 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. Long Man of Wilmington & Litlington White Horse. Water wasnt so easy to come by on the trail. The South Downs National Park and the South Downs Way: The official leaflet for the South Downs Way National Park and South Downs Way National Trail. And be the first to hear about my upcoming adventure plans and big announcements, with a sprinkle of advice and inspiration. 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). Dave, it's fair to say, has thought of everything. 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. The first part of a delightful walking break takes the hiker from England's ancient capital city to East-Hampshire's border, just beyond the market town of Petersfield. I started doing some research last night and saw Hadrians Wall and the Thames Path both come up. Its always good practice to have a spare 1 litre of water with you than you think you need. Some great tips here for walking the South Downs Way. This looks so cool! From guesthouses, hotels and also rooms on Airbnb. Only 1 a week after your trial. the south downs way is beyond miserable. We wild camped the whole way, bringing all the food with us bought in advance. When hacking on the South Downs Way, you will more than likely require somewhere to park your horsebox or trailer. The park is bountiful with many places to stay including hotels, bunkhouses, Bed and Breakfasts, campsites and even yurts and shepherds huts. 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 . Looks like you had an amazing time and such an achievement! 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. There are also a few cafes where you can treat yourself to a hot drink and ice cream. The South Downs Way is a long distance footpath in Southern England and is one of Britain's National Trails. 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. Compass and magnifying glass (not used) Cicerone guidebook and map (guidebook not used) Sketchbook and chalks (304g) Waist belt. If you do not own your own horse but would still like to experience the joys of hacking the South Downs Way, there are a number of riding schools offering hacks on the South Downs National Park and surrounding areas. Merrell are king when it comes to long-distance walking, and I decided on the Merrell Accentor shoes for this walk. But! 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. At the weekend, the trail gets crammed with visitors and dog walkers. The South Downs Way is one of 16 National Trails in the UK. 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. Is Rishi Sunaks Brexit deal all its cracked up to be? I'm here to help you explore this planet safely, adventurously, and affordably. Budget: Wetherdown Lodge & Campsite Situated just south of East Meon, the Wetherdown Lodge & Campsite offers simple accommodation at reasonable prices. Wingrove is a beautiful stay but if thats too much out of your price bracket, stay. The South Downs Way is 100 miles (160 km) in length. The South Downs Way has become the first fully accessible national trail! For more fun details go to the overview page, which tells . Its pretty damn hard to lose the trail. If you are planning on walking the South Downs Way while camping en route, heres a suggested itinerary you might like to follow. You can sign up to my newsletter here. The trail is 160km long and stretches from Winchester in Hampshire to Eastbourne in East Sussex. It looks beautiful. Thanks for reading :-). Walking the South Downs Way. Dont stand too near the edges of the cliffs even if you see others do the same. This looks like a fun hike to undertake in the UK! 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. For the most part, youll be walking alone without any other humans in sight. I physically retched as I watched him eating unmentionables in the Australian jungle. Read more Located within an hour of London, this delightful National Trail meanders along the crest of the Downs with far-reaching views over the patchwork fields, woods and villages of the Weald and southwards to . Keep this in mind when planning out your days, as it quickly adds up. Originally from the U.K., I've now spent over a decade travelling the world with my Kiwi partner. Wow! In fact, due to the low-lying land surrounding the hillside, the horizon seems to go on for miles. Rod Liddle is associate editor of The Spectator. Copyright Lauren Juliff 2010-2023 All rights reserved. at Ye Olde Smugglers Inne for something nice but more basic (95 for 2 dinner available for an additional 20). Website Design, Build & Digital Marketing by WRD. It begins in Winchester, Hampshire and ends in Eastbourne, East Sussex . Hi! The South Downs Way comes in at 100 miles and runs between . But now added to that list are wheelchair users and off-road buggies. Far more importantly, we fundamentally disagree over his handling of the pandemic. The South Downs Way is a long-distance footpath that winds its way from historic Winchester to Eastbourne in Sussex. 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. 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. 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! The many hundreds of miles of single track and bridlepaths spurring from the South Downs Way the trail and National Park means it is not only a haven for horse riders but a mecca for Mountain Bikers. If you get stuck for shops a good idea is to stay a night in a cheap b&b and ask if you can send them a resupply box in advance. Your entire South Downs journey will surely be more than 100 miles! The South Downs is fantastic riding country. uva scott stadium parking. This is especially so for the Beachy Head/Seven Sisters section. I did wonder if there are many shops on route to enable me to re-stock. I neednt have worried, though there was plenty of options for eating! All the hotels and b&bs come with a personal recommendation they are clean, comfortable and have great customer service. 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!). This Campsites South Downs Way directory lists all the campsites available near the trail. 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. Plan a cycling adventure today with our comprehensive guide. Best views on the South Downs Way. Walk from the NT car park east along South Downs Way to Treyford and Didling Hills, via Beacon Hill and Pen Hill; back via Hooksway, Millpond Bottom, Little Round Down and Whitcombe Bottom. It finishes 100 miles later in Eastbourne, East Sussex. 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. 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! Dont forget to also sign up to my newsletter to stay up to date with future adventures. "People who are not happy with themselves, cannot possibly be happy with you.". Walking conditions are reasonably easy due to the fast draining chalk, though some sections are steep. The majority of the path is a bridleway and so can be used by horse . The Osprey Lumina is part of their ultra-lightweight range (it weighs just 770 grams!) Are there any places that would recommend for lunch stops or cafes for takeaway on the route please? Im very happy to answer questions just use the comments box below. on the England Coast Path. It also saves you the hassle of needing to return to the start point at the end. Sneakers Made In China - 110 . If you are set on walking the South Downs Way at a slight more challenging pace, the below itinerary may suit you better. We recommend spraying your horse with fly spray, especially in the Summer months, to ensure both horse and rider are comfortable and safe throughout. Steve Maraboli, Unapologetically You: Reflections on Life and the Human Experience. While the official mileage for the walk is 100 miles, we ended up tackling 121 miles in total. Start/finish: Plough and Harrow, Litlington . where did the dursleys go to escape the letters; the south downs way is beyond miserable; 30 . Up there you'll find the most [] Day 6: Alfriston to Eastbourne (13 miles)Staying at: Albert & Victoria (77 for 2 including breakfast.an AMAZING hotel!!). 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. Kingston near Lewes:Airbnb in Kingston Another wonderful place to stay! As the trail is well used this means really following the pitch late and leave early rule so you arent disturbing anyone else on the trail. The chalk downland provides good going even after rain. It usually takes most people 9 days to walk the entire trail, at an average of 12-15 miles per day. The South Downs is a national park in South East England. I am a NYer and love walking everywhere so this has made be consider a new vacation option! To the overview page, which tells in at 100 miles ( 160 km ) in length made a... England and is one of Britain & # x27 ; s fair to say,. Of your price bracket, stay in advance is still challenging stay but if thats much. The Human experience to date with future adventures personal recommendation they are clean, comfortable and have great service! 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