Your Guide To The South Downs Way

© John Wigley
The South Downs Way is covered by the following maps:
„„ Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 Landranger Series maps
(nos. 185 and 197 – 199). These are adequate for
cycling where longer distances are covered
„„ Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 Explorer Series of maps
(nos. 120 – 123 and 132). These are more detailed
than Landranger maps and are ideal for walkers and
horse riders
„„ Harvey Maps 1:40,000 South Downs Way XT40
map. This is a lightweight (60gsm), weatherproof
map, suitable for use with GPS and ideal for cyclists
„„ Splash Maps 1:40,000 waterproof textile maps
that can even be used a scarf! Five maps cover the
whole South Downs Way
For full route descriptions and map extracts, pick up
a copy of the official South Downs Way National Trail
Guide (2012) by Paul Millmore. Published by Aurum
Press, ISBN 978-1-78131-088-5.
The South Downs Way field guide tells you about flora and
fauna on the trail, from common birds to butterflies and
farm crops. Find out more at www.southdowns.gov.uk/
publications.
For details of other available guides, see the Maps and
Guides information card at www.nationaltrail.co.uk/
southdowns.
NORTHUMBERLAND
Hadrian's
Wall Path
Pennine
Bridleway
Cleveland Way
NORTH YORK
MOORS
LAKE DISTRICT
YORKSHIRE
DALES
Offa's
Dyke
Path
Glyndwrs
PEMBROKESHIRE
Way
COAST
WALES
Pembrokeshire
Coast Path
National Trail approved
but not yet open
PEAK DISTRICT
National Park
ENGLAND
Peddars Way
& Norfolk
Coast Path
THE
BROADS
Cotswold
Way
BRECON
BEACONS
Thames Path
Ridgeway
EXMOOR
NEW
FOREST
South West Coast Path
DARTMOOR
National Trail
Pennine
Way
Yorkshire
Wolds Way
Pennine
Bridleway
SNOWDONIA
South Down Way
North Downs
Way
SOUTH DOWNS
South Downs
Way
Looking after the National Park
The South Downs National Park is Britain’s newest
National Park, rich in landscape, culture and wildlife.
Discover ancient woodland and enjoy spectacular views
as you explore the open downs and heathlands. Within
these landscapes lie bustling market towns and peaceful
rural villages, historic houses and the remains of ancient
settlements.
Here are some easy ways to help respect, protect and
enjoy the landscape:
„„ be safe, plan ahead and follow signs;
„„ leave gates and property as you find them;
„„ protect plants and animals – please don’t damage
or pick wildflowers;
„„ respect the needs of local people – don’t block
gateways, driveways or other entry points with
your vehicle;
„„ slow down for horses, walkers and livestock when
riding a bike or driving a vehicle. By law, cyclists
must give way to walkers and horse riders on
bridleways;
„„ support the rural economy – shop local;
„„ be a responsible dog walker – keep your dog under
control, and if necessary, use a lead;
„„ ensure that your dog does not chase livestock,
especially sheep. Remember, if a farm animal chases
your dog, it is safer to let them off of the lead;
„„ Please don’t litter – bin it or take it home.
Learn more about the Countryside Code at
www.southdowns.gov.uk
Your guide to the
South Downs Way
© C Hulse
Maps and guides
Key information for walkers, cyclists, horse riders and
other users of the South Downs Way National Trail.
Get planning!
To help you plan your trip, you can find
a range of information cards online. They
cover maps and guides, parking (including horse
boxes), campsites and hostels, drinking water points,
vets, farriers and saddlers. Go to www.nationaltrail.
co.uk/southdowns and click on the publications tab
to download all of the information you might need.
The website also features accommodation information,
advice on organised trips and an interactive map to
help you find the perfect adventure, whether you’re
looking for short circular or linear routes, day walks
and rides or a multi-day trail.
Walk it, ride it, love it!
Tel: 0300 303 1053
Web: www.southdowns.gov.uk
Twitter: @SDNPA
Facebook: SDNPA
South Downs Way Team
Tel: 01273 625242
Email: sdw@southdowns.gov.uk
Twitter: @SouthDownsWayNT
Discover another way
© Cath Harris
Leave the car at home and try another
way to get to the South Downs Way. Go
to www.traveline.co.uk or call 0871 200 22 33 for
public transport information. For train timetables,
visit www.nationalrail.co.uk or call 08457 484960.
Accessibility
The trail has some moderately steep sections which
can be completed by anyone who is reasonably fit.
People with mobility problems can access some
parts of the trail, and disabled people with ‘tramper’
type off road buggies can complete the entire
route if arranged in advance. For more information,
contact the South Downs Way team using the
details on the back of this leaflet.
© Andy Gattiker
planning an interesting
day trip or a longer trek.
Normally it takes about
7-10 days to walk or 2-4
days to cycle the whole
length.
The trail links to extensive
rights of way networks
across Hampshire, West
Sussex and East Sussex,
and it’s possible to make
the entire journey from
Winchester to Eastbourne
on foot, horseback or bike.
South Downs National Park Authority
Facebook: SDNPA
The South Downs Way is one of 15 National
Trails in England and Wales.These are long
distance paths that pass through some of our
finest landscapes, and the South Downs Way
is the only one that’s entirely within a
National Park.
At 160 kilometres (100
miles) long, the South
Downs Way follows the
old routes and droveways
along the chalk escarpment
and ridges of the South
Downs, from the historic
city of Winchester to the
sunny, coastal town of
Eastbourne.
The undulating route
allows walkers, cyclists and
horse riders to get away
from it all, whether they’re
Contact us
The South Downs Way
Key facts
From breathtaking landscapes to stories of local heroes,
there’s plenty for you to see and discover...
East Meon,
on,, H
Hampshire
Little Butser,
r Hampshire
W st Sussex
Cissbury Ring,We
Arundel Castle,We
W st Sussex
Wrrecclesham
River Meon
Butsser Hilll
Butse
But
Buritonn
Burito
B
Queeen Eliza
Queen
Elizabeth
aabeth
Cou
ount
u
Par
Pa k
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ood
d
Parkk
Countrry P
Count
Bignor Hil
Hill
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Aru
un
Hassocks
Steyning
Findon
ind
South Downs Way
GOSPOR
RT
(footpath only)
Devi
De
vill’
vi
Glynde
Falmer
Cissbu
Cissbu
A22
A22
Lo g M
Long
Ma
Newhav
a en
Sea
0
(c) Ryan Davies
FAMOUS ASSOCIATIONS
Izaak Walton (Itchen and Meon rivers), writer
Virginia Woolf (lived at Rodmell), painters Vanessa
Bell and Duncan Grant (Charleston), author
Tom Paine (Lewes),Yeats and Whistler (Steyning),
Kipling (Rottingdean), Belloc, Jeffries, and Andy
Goldsworthy’s chalk stones (Cocking Hill)
A27
Rottingdean
WORTHIN
R
G
BOGNOR REGIS
Railway
Settlement
Hailsham
Southease
BRIGH
HT
TON & HOVE
Barnham
N
PORTSM
R MOUT
TH
A2
Firle
rl Beacon
Beacon
LITTLEHAMPTON
T
Countryside sites
© Joan Barham
Ringmer
A27
South Downs Way
A267
River Ouse
CHICHESTE
ST R
Heathfield
Chanctonbu
C
hancton
tonb
bu
Havant
a
FFAREHAM
H
South Downs
National
Park
River Meon,, Hampshire
A283
Uckfield
A272
A22
Henfiel
n d
A2
9
A2
Burgess
Hill
Hurstpierpoin
H
tpierpoin
oin
A24
A3
Singletonn
Singleto
y Vale
ough
A2284
A
M27
Railway stations
© Cath Harris
Heyshott
He
yshott
ysho
h t Down
A265
A272
Cocking
Har
artingg D
Dow
Down
ow
wn
Rowlands
R
owlands
wlan
a
Castlee
Cast
SOUTHAMPT
UTHAM
THA
THAMPT
AMPTO
TON
A272
Petw
etw
two
or
MIDHURST
SSouth H
Harting
ds
Haywar
ay
Heath
e
A29
A272
A272
River Rother
Billingshurst
Billings
A26
A222
Cuckfield
6
ford
d
Droxfor
D
Key
Iping
n
oolbedin
e g
Commo
mm
m n Woolbed
Commo
Comm
m n
A264
A2
A32
Oll
Winchester
chester
hester
Hilll
Hil
ugh
Wisborough
G een
Gr
Crowborough
A23
A27
Bishopstok
Bishopsto
Bishop
W
Wa
Horsham
A2
85
M3
Upham
Upha
A22
Milland
illa
illan
la
East
st Me
Meo
eo
onn
A26
© David Russell
72
West Meon
on
EAST
GRINSTEAD
CRAWLEY
A
M23
Fer
ernhurst
LLisss
A2
PETERSFIEELD
Beacon
con Hill
H
Cranleigh
thcha
hhchape
ha l
er Itchen
Eastle
tleigh
ei
Selborne
bo
Commo
mmon
mmon
A31
Catherin
Catherin
therine’
erine s Hill
Smallfield
Charlwood
Haslemerre
Liphook
85
WINCHEST
HESTER
Seven Sisters, East Sussex
Hindhead
d
1
A3
A2
Itche
tchen
ch
Abbas
A3
New
Alresford
Alice Holl
A325
M3
© Anne Purkiss
Four
Marks
Godalming
Milford
ALT
LTON
View frrom Ditchling Beacon,, East Sussex
© James Ringland
View
w to Old Winchester Hill,, Hampshire
• There are about 4,150 m (13,600 feet) of ascent and descent whichever
way you travel
Follow the acorn!
• The trail traverses the entire length of the South Downs
The South Downs Way is marked
National Park
along the whole trail with this
• Western end: King Alfred’s statue at the bottom of Broadway,
National Trail acorn logo.
Winchester
Lingfield
M23
• Eastern end: The Western End of Eastbourne Promenade
HIGHLIGHTS
Winchester Cathedral, River Meon, Queen Elizabeth
Country Park, Harting Down, Parham Deer Park,
Chanctonbury Ring, Dew Ponds, Devil’s Dyke, Ditchling
Beacon, Neolithic, Bronze and Iron Age monuments,
Long Man of Wilmington, Ouse valley, Cuckmere Haven,
Seven Sisters, Beachy Head, Chalkhill Blue butterflies and
a variety of arable plants and chalk grassland flowers
10 km
Country Park
Beachy Heea
LANDSCAPE
Wide grassy or flinty tracks on chalk downland,
mostly grazed by sheep on the hills with arable
crops below. The western part of the downs is
rolling farmland, much of the West Sussex section
is dominated by a steep, often wooded scarp with
views across the Weald below, while the East Sussex
Downs are classic open grassland running down to
the sea cliffs