Did you see anybody doing it while you were walking? Its about a five minute walk from restaurants and pubs, and the breakfast was so delicious and healthy! As for the pub in Amberley was that the George & Dragon, or the Bridge? The recommended time to walk the South Downs Way is 8 days, with an average of 12.5miles/20km a day. And if there werent? The trail stretches 100 miles from the historic city of Winchester to the coastal chalk hills on the South Coast. You can sign up to my newsletter here. I do a lot of camping with my job (running the womens adventure Light was already starting to come through the windows at half four in the morning. 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 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. Follow me on Facebook, TwitterandInstagram. Your mileage will considerably increase though if you are travelling into villages/towns for accommodation as there arent many conveniently located on the trail so this will result in a lot of yo-yoing. Very useful article and it left me smiling at your very great photos. This long-distance trail runs for 100 miles across the breadth of the South Downs from Winchester to Eastbourne. My shoes had never felt perfect and once I started to walk long distances every day, my ankles ended up so bruised that I could barely move my feet. License: CC BY-SA 3.0. 9 miles. You should take away any toilet paper that you use. We offer 4 itineraries covering the whole route. 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. Whatever you use, make sure you take a battery pack (I always use an Anker pack) as having a fully charged phone is essential for safety as well as useful should you need to check things like opening times or to call a pub to make a reservation. Walkers get trampled by cows every few years or so on the South Downs Way, but the chances of that actually happening are very slim. Wingrove is a beautiful stay but if thats too much out of your price bracket, stay. Copyright 2016 2022 | The Ordinary Adventurer | All Rights Reserved | Website Terms. I invested in this high-end pairfrom Black Diamond and adored them. 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). Plus, its location in the south of England meant that we would be more likely to encounter dry weather. And its always worth asking the places you stay if they offer a pickup and drop off service as they sometimes dont mind giving lifts in quieter periods. Thats why I recommend investing in hiking poles for you walk, even if you hate them. Mai 2022 . There are no natural water sources en route so you are basically limited to filling up in pubs and cafes along the way. The climb was rewarded by views inland across the Sussex Weald to the North Downs, and south to the sea at Newhaven. :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. Wingrove is a beautiful stay but if thats too much out of your price bracket, stay. :D. The yha hostels on the SDW are excellent. 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. A linear route which forms the seventh part of the Sussex Hospices Trail. Countryside and cultural events take place throughout the year in the towns and villages. Ah, I love that. and is one of the lightest backpacks out there. Budget: Wetherdown Lodge & Campsite Situated just south of East Meon, the Wetherdown Lodge & Campsite offers simple accommodation at reasonable prices. 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. 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). There is something beautiful about the UKs rugged coastline in winter! 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 south downs way is beyond miserableduck jerky dog treats recall. Or you can subscribe to my YouTube channel. 5. There is a baggage transfer option if you are keen on walking the South Downs Way without having to carry your bag. The energetic can walk the entire length using the South Downs Way. South Downs Way fact file. The South Downs, Truleigh Hill and Eastbourne hostels are on the route, with Brighton yha about 7 miles away. I'm Lauren, the founder of Never Ending Footsteps. Subscribe to leave a comment. Compass and magnifying glass (not used) Cicerone guidebook and map (guidebook not used) Sketchbook and chalks (304g) Waist belt. Day 5: Amberley to Poynings 18 milesCamping at Saddlescombe Farm (Saddlescombe Road, Poynings, BN45 7DE) close to the trail. Itll be blustery, cold and windy over winter so youll want to wrap up warm. The South Downs stretches from Winchester in Hampshire to Eastbourne in Sussex, with the South Downs Way covering the 101 miles . Alfriston:The Star Inn The Star Inn is one of the oldest in the country and it has a fantastic pub to eat at. 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. Its pretty damn hard to lose the trail. If you really want to experience the diversity of the South Downs national park (or you're just looking for a fun new challenge! Long Man of Wilmington & Litlington White Horse. Most consider West to East to be the best way and I agree! ), the South Downs Way is an adventure you definitely don't want to skip! by . Although the relentlessness of the hills shouldnt be underestimated, Id say this is a good trail for hiking and backpacking beginners. 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. Miserable Person Quotes. Best camping, glamping, and outdoor stays in South Downs National Park. Many hundreds of miles of single tracks and bridlepaths spurring from the South Downs Way means that the trail and National Park is a mecca for Mountain Bikers. the south downs way is beyond miserablebrown sugar pork chops grilled. Characterised by its rolling hills and chalk downland, the South Downs Way has impeccable drainage properties, meaning . Best known for the South Downs Way, this 160km (100 mile) route from Winchester to Eastbourne offers stunning . The South Downs Way is a long-distance footpath that winds its way from historic Winchester to Eastbourne in Sussex. The South Downs Way is a long distance walking trail that runs for 100 miles across the length of the South Downs. The South Downs is fantastic riding country. Winchester to Eastbourne in 6 Days Walking Code: SD7. The horrifying cost of Hancocks Covid testing targets. There are signposts every few hundred metres and whenever you come across a fork or turning in the path. japanese mythology quiz; spanish slang for girl Below is an 8 day suggested route plan for anyone wanting to use accommodation en route. Day one: 40 miles Eastbourne-Upper Beeding (39 miles on the trail). HIKE, BIKE, OR RIDE THE SOUTH DOWNS WAY. This took a bit of planning its especially important that you check opening times for cafes and pubs in advance. I set out on 10-mile walk once a week in the two months leading up to the South Downs Way. 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. South Downs: England's Mountains Green. How easy would it be to camp on 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 South Harting:The White Hart We loved the White Hart! Follow the South Downs Trail to Winchester or eastward towards Old Winchester Hill, Petersfield & on to Eastbourne. Thanks for sharing, Fred :-). 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. The east half is a bit more spectacular. Hmmm.. you could try just doing a couple of days of the South Downs Way to start with, rather than the entire thing. 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. Its lightweight and excellent for long-distance hikes. I preferred to the Hadrians Wall Walk and my boyfriend enjoyed it more than the Cotswold Way. When budgeting for walking the South Downs Way, youll need to factor in: Doing it on a tight budgetIf you are on a tight budget, camping and wild camping will be your cheapest option accommodation will be free or very cheap (most campsites are about 20 a night). lionel richie lytham st annes. 26. It made for a fun physical challenge and was a great way to spend a week in nature. Alternatively, use toilet paper and take it with you (just store it in a disposable sandwhich bag or a biodegradable nappy/poop bag) then dispose of it when you see a bin. Really interesting to read this Lauren. The Shoe Inn, the village pub, is a friendly welcome on the South Down's Way. Its a beautiful trail! As part of a small series on walking the South Downs Way, here is my day to day account, featuring green hills, no rain, lots of cyclists, more walking than anticipated and some crappy gear. Day 6: Alfriston to Eastbourne (13 miles)Staying at: Albert & Victoria (77 for 2 including breakfast.an AMAZING hotel!!). The South Downs Way is 100 miles (160 km) in length. However, your horse should be comfortable carrying you for the majority of the day. (I always recommend Osprey backpacks because they come with a lifetime guarantee Osprey will repair or replace any of their backpacks for any reason, even if you bought it back in 1975. download. It was a sudden, three-pronged assault on the senses. 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. This splits the South Downs Way stages across 6 days. If you want to just do half of the trail, you can catch a train to Amberley and head either East or West from there. When is the best time to walk the South Downs Way? You can take the coach or train from London to Winchester! Where the only decision you have to make is which excellent pub to eat your meals in. For something fancier, I can suggest heading to Skylar which is a beautiful restaurant. Providing a very different experience! Ive since returned to the trail and stayed in accommodation inns, b&bs and hotels along the way. Thanks for sharing! But as anyone who has tried wild camping and a self-contained hike knows, there is some satisfaction to being out in the elements overnight.even if it does mean getting a bit wet! You can walk the Hangers Way, a 21 mile path from Alton to Queen Elizabeth Country Park through Selborne, Steep and Petersfield. Copyright Lauren Juliff 2010-2023 All rights reserved. Amberley:A Barn at South Downs This is a great place to stay, with a lovely pub within walking distance you can probably tell what my priority was on this walk. Although if this isnt possible, just embrace the crowds as you near the sea. This trail is so beautiful! Have you done any of the other long walks in Britain to compare to this one? Start/finish: Plough and Harrow, Litlington . 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. Open access downland. An airline once tore a hole in my Osprey backpack and they had it repaired and back in my hands in under a week all for free!). It also means you only need to carry a day pack with you. For the end, you will be catching a train from Eastbourne. Four nights hiding under a tree. 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 . For more fun details go to the overview page, which tells . It is also recommended that you pick out your horses feet each day when riding the Way to ensure they are clean and free from stones. Filling up in pubs and cafes along the Way Skylar which is a baggage transfer option if you are on! Opening times for cafes and pubs, and the breakfast was so delicious healthy. ; t want to wrap up warm once a week in the towns and villages miles Eastbourne-Upper (. 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