The South Downs Way --Submitted by Mark Worthington. Hi! Probably the most comfortable backpack Ive ever worn. Im actually intending to walk the trial with an off-road buggy later this year and will be blogging about my experience. It also means you only need to carry a day pack with you. For starters Im terrified of spiders and hopelessly squeamish. Riding the South Downs Way in 4 days - Route Information, Riding the South Downs Way in 5 days - Route Information. Ultra hikers and runners often cover the distance in a 2-day 100mile challenge (hats off to them!). theo coumbis lds; the south downs way is beyond miserable; 30 . I remember reading Wild and deciding I was going to walk the PCT, too. It also saves you the hassle of needing to return to the start point at the end. I started doing some research last night and saw Hadrians Wall and the Thames Path both come up. The South Downs Way Is Beyond Miserable FOR SALE!. Every time I did so, I felt exceptionally safe. Providing a very different experience! Day one: 40 miles Eastbourne-Upper Beeding (39 miles on the trail). Try using our intuitive route planning tools, transport, accommodation and activity sections, designed to help you make the most of your visit to the South Downs Way. Take any sanitary products away with you to dispose of when you next pass a bin. I neednt have worried, though there was plenty of options for eating! I physically retched as I watched him eating unmentionables in the Australian jungle. I, however, recommend staying in as many pubs and B&Bs as possible the accommodation was one of the highlights of our walk! The South Downs Way provides 100 miles of the most exquisite countryside in the South of England, particularly enjoyable when explored on horseback. 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. The South Downs Way Is Beyond Miserable FOR SALE!. Hadrians Wall is a little easier in terms of walking surface, so you could also do a few days of that. The hills on the coastal section of the hike can feel a little endless at times lots of up and down. As for the pub in Amberley was that the George & Dragon, or the Bridge? In terms of difficulty, our guidebook suggested the South Downs Way is one of Britain's easiest National Trails. Originally from the U.K., I've now spent over a decade travelling the world with my Kiwi partner. I also enjoyed spending a night in Eastbourne after finishing my walk. Take a look at our guide for recommended walks. A linear route which forms the seventh part of the Sussex Hospices Trail. If a campsite is a 2-mile walk from the trail this means you are doing a 4-mile round trip to get there which can be frustrating. The South Downs are designated as a national park. The South Downs way can be done in one go taking between 5 and 7 days or else in sections. Your entire South Downs journey will surely be more than 100 miles! The barn is cosy and comfortable, and the breakfast is the absolute best. arduino credit card skimmer. 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. If you have enough time, I recommend booking a night in both Winchester and Eastbourne. No commitment. This is a very manageable trail in so much as the route is easy to follow and the terrain is flat and with very little ascent. Hiking poles will help you conserve energy, keep your weight off your hips and knees, and help so much on the uphill and downhill. This looks like a fun hike to undertake in the UK! amir johnson shooting; lasalle hotel seattle. Once youve finished your hike, head to the ocean for a swim/paddle and then grab a bag of chips. Follow me on Facebook, TwitterandInstagram. Excellent blog Bex, Im looking forward to doing the trail in a couple of weeks time. If you are attempting the South Downs Way in stages, be sure to remind whoever is collecting you at the next stop to bring water for your horse before you load them. 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. My mistake, West to East is the better way so you finish with Eastbourne. I am a NYer and love walking everywhere so this has made be consider a new vacation option! I loved this pair from Black Diamond! 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. 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). Matt Hancock and I have almost nothing in common. at Ye Olde Smugglers Inne for something nice but more basic (95 for 2 dinner available for an additional 20). South Downs Way fact file. This is such a wonderful trail through a beautiful part of the country. . "People who are not happy with themselves, cannot possibly be happy with you.". I did wonder if there are many shops on route to enable me to re-stock. If one were coming from the US, how would they get to the trail? And if, like me, you dont actually have any arches, the walk can be even more excruciating. From camping to youth hostels to cosy pubs to five-star hotels, theres a whole range of accommodation available to suit different price ranges. The trail is 160km long and stretches from Winchester in Hampshire to Eastbourne in East Sussex. 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. / the south downs way is beyond miserable. I use the money to pay for hosting and domain fees to keep the site running. Sneakers Made In China - 110 . There are a number of steep inclines and descends but once on the top of the ridge, the majority of the Way is flat and not too strenuous. This combination is tough underfoot and acts as a meat tenderiser on your soles. The South Downs Way is a long distance footpath in Southern England and is one of Britain's National Trails. 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. Thank you , Your email address will not be published. Heres where we stayed on the South Downs Way: Cheriton:The Brick House B&B What a lovely spot! But with some considerations. Its about a 2 mile hike to reach the campsite from the trail or you can arrange a taxi pickup. Join the conversation with other Spectator readers. Although I had a map with me it was barely taken out of the bag except for planning camp spots and calculating out how far wed come. heres a quick guide and video if you are interested in horse riding the trail. on the England Coast Path. Buy a signed copy of my book along with a 'Life is Join 3,500+ others and sign up to my newsletter! Text size Small Medium Large Line Spacing Compact . Day 5: Amberley to Poynings 18 milesCamping at Saddlescombe Farm (Saddlescombe Road, Poynings, BN45 7DE) close to the trail. The South Downs Way pases through the South Downs a beautiful area, which may soon become a National Park. May 4, 2021. I highly recommend staying here. "Pain and suffering are . On the South Downs Way, I especially appreciated the hand-drawn maps for every part of the trail (heres an example from my copy of how great they are) Im not sure I would have been able to find my own way without them. There is an option to book taxis to take you to and from your accommodation. Instead, I recommend looking at the Osprey Eja, which is another fantastic Osprey backpack that Ive owned and love. The hospices of Sussex are dedicated to providing specialist end-of-life care. You do pass the odd pub and (in peak season) cafes and ice cream vans in hot spots, like along the Seven Sisters way. You can also ride the route on a horse! 2. 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! Although wild camping isnt the easiest on the trail and most people opt for b&bs or campsites, its absolutely doable (more on that below). Today, Im excited to start writing about my walk by sharing a huge overview of what its like to tackle the South Downs Way. There are no facilities. Dave, it's fair to say, has thought of everything. For those of you who want to make your walk a little easier, there is a bag transportation service you can utilise. I also invested in a new backpack for this walk and I freaking love it! Or you could try and beat the 14hour running record if you really want to give your legs a battering! Just curious why some days you walked 8 miles and others 22 :). While an additional mile doesnt sound like a big deal when youre sat on your sofa at home, when youre actually out walking, it can be super-demoralising after an exhausting day. The climb was rewarded by views inland across the Sussex Weald to the North Downs, and south to the sea at Newhaven. Distance: 100 miles over three days. The only thing youll have to look out for are the cows. If you have any questions, please do use the comments box below. Breaky Bottom Vineyard, Lewes. As with any other hack, we strongly recommend you bring your mobile phone, allowing you to contact someone for help should it be required. In March-April, when the fields are dotted with lambs and calves, the trees begin to bud. It gave my joints a chance to rest and my hiking poles helped me push myself upwards at a startling speed. Day 1: Winchester to East Meon (18 miles)Staying at: Angel Cottage B&B (58 for 2 including breakfast) perfectly located on the SDW. 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). Thanks for reading :-). 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. 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. Thanks for sharing! The energetic can walk the entire length using the South Downs Way. Most people spend 7 or 8 days walking the whole South Downs Way. Theres a decent amount of accommodation around, with villages scattered all along the trail but not on the trail so its fairly easy to set your own milage for each day. Did you see anybody doing it while you were walking? 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. **MY BOOK ABOUT HIKING THE ISRAEL NATIONAL TRAIL** Grab a copy of my published book, Three Stripes South. Especially on a hot day. Not only is the scenery breathtaking, but the pubs are cosy, the locals friendly, and the walking challenging but in a good way. Theres nothing quite like scaling a 300-metre hill only to see it immediately descend once you reach the top. And if there werent? The South Downs Way stretches 100 miles from Winchester to the Victorian seaside town of Eastbourne on the South Coast of England. The trail stretches 100 miles from the historic city of Winchester to the coastal chalk hills on the South Coast. 8-9 days is a good estimate to walk the entire route at an easy pace. We found the terrain to be easy underfoot and the sloping climbs manageable with our heavy packs containing all our camping gear and food. 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. In particular when you reach the cliffs and have the dramatic coastline ocean views. The South Downs Way isn't a particularly high-elevation hike, but that doesn't mean there aren't great views. 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. 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 . Im very happy to answer questions just use the comments box below. You can choose to walk, cycle or ride a small part of the way or if you are up for a challenge you can take on the whole route. 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. 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. I felt like I was walking through a postcard for much of our journey. It is wooded, with a defined ridge along which the South Downs Way runs. 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. Day 3: Cocking to Washington (19 miles)Staying at: Holt House (88 for 2 people including breakfast), Day 4: Washington to Pyecombe (14 miles)Staying at: Period Cottage (131 for 2 people including breakfast), Day 5: Pyecombe to Alfriston (23 miles)Staying at: Wingrove House (170 for 2 people including breakfast). 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. Ive since returned to the trail and stayed in accommodation inns, b&bs and hotels along the way. the south downs way is beyond miserable. We met just three other people that were walking the entire distance, although there were dozens of other people out on day hikes. The park has a resident population of around 110,000 people and 125,000 sheep. Really friendly owners, a large breakfast, and a good location, close to the waterfront. Whether you choose to hack the South Downs Way one part at a time or feel confident enough to attempt the whole trail at once, you should be prepared in the way of horsebox or trailer parking facilities, find a selection of useful information below. Copyright Lauren Juliff 2010-2023 All rights reserved. This PDF highlights a number of equestrian parking sites, indicating the ease of approach to the car park, the space available for maneuvering a horsebox, the safety of tacking up in the area and access to bridleways from each. This website is the result of tens of thousands of hours of on-the-ground research by myself and my team of expert travellers. It finishes 100 miles later in Eastbourne, East Sussex. During the summer, bees and butterflies flit over classic flowers such as orchids, scabious, gorse and heather. Good to know about the hiking trail being hard underfoot too. It'. 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. 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. Mai 2022 . durham ontario police; does maddie know the killer in hush; Dig a hole at least 6inches deep and then cover it up when finished. The South Downs is fantastic riding country. Kingston near Lewes:Airbnb in Kingston Another wonderful place to stay! Had some ice creams and lunch along the way and a bag of chips at the end. 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. Youll need to carry a lightweight hiking shovel (Id suggest eitherthis oneorthis one). National Trails are long-distance footpaths, with distances ranging from 79 miles on the Yorkshire Wolds Way to a whopping 2,795 miles [!] The ride from Arundel at the southern edge of the South Downs, through the villages of Petworth and Northchapel to the north showcases why this is such a special part of the world. If you are an experienced hiker, you may want to look at doing the trail over 5-6 days to make the distances each day a bit more challenging. Website Design, Build & Digital Marketing by WRD. 9 miles. Eastbourne:Albert & Victoria B&B I mostly stayed here because the the rooms looked so old fashionedthat I thought it was funny. Difficulty level: easy to moderate. I also highly, highly recommend taking walking poles with you. Fantastic breakfast with homemade sourdough bread (the owner runs classes on how to make sourdough bread, so you know its going to be great!). Just search restaurant and it will highlight all the cafes and food options in your area. Would you have a recommendation for a beginners long walk trail in the UK or Europe? This splits the South Downs Way stages across 6 days. In fact, there was a part of me that was eager to turn around at the finish line and walk back to Winchester! Fairly certain it would kill me, though, hahaha :-). Sounds so incredible. Day 8: Alfriston to Eastbourne (11 miles)Staying at: Albert & Victoria (77 for 2 including breakfast.an AMAZING hotel!!). We had two challenging walks, where we racked up 20 and 22 miles, but the rest of our mileage felt comfortable. There are some moderately steep slopes but the path mostly runs on farm tracks across rolling open chalk downland. March 3, 2022 by Leslie Gilmour. What an accomplishment! Day 6: Alfriston to Eastbourne (13 miles)Staying at: Albert & Victoria (77 for 2 including breakfast.an AMAZING hotel!!). Where the only decision you have to make is which excellent pub to eat your meals in. And let me know if you are planning to do the SDW! Failing that, there is no shortage of trees and bushes to hide behind if you need to go to the toilet. It is renowned for exhibiting the best of southern English countryside with its rolling hills, glassy chalk streams, bucolic farmer's . We spent a couple of hours hitting up the main attractions: Winchester Cathedral (one of the largest in Europe), The Great Hall (a 13th Century hall featuring a round table thats falsely linked to King Arthur), and the City Mill (where the walk starts from), and decided wed return at some point to spend even more time there. Very useful article and it left me smiling at your very great photos. Join my irregular bi-monthly(ish) newsletter. With Bivvy bags you would definitely find wild camping South Downs easier (read more about in this Bivvy Bag guide). One of England's National Trails, the South Downs Way, is a 160km long-distance walk, the entirety of which sits within the South Downs National Park. Thats good to hear! Most people opt for walking the South Downs Way at a gentler pace. It made for a fun physical challenge and was a great way to spend a week in nature. We really liked this B&B. It is, however, absolutely overpriced, as Osprey recently discontinued it. I decided I wanted to stretch myself more as a hiker and to try a multi-day hike..specifically one that was wild camping. The Cicerone South Downs Way guide book is my favourite, although the Trailblazer one is also good. Its pretty damn hard to lose the trail. TQ032123) which is a wild camping space right on the trail. The South Downs Way is a 100-mile National Trails walking path in the UK. The rolling hills, fantastic views, great walks and picturesque villages of the South Downs National Park offer a blissful taste of country life and make it a great location for a camping or Glamping Holiday.The fact that it's only an hour from London and within easy reach of much of the south coast are added advantages . While blisters tend to go numb after ten minutes of walking, the exact opposite occurs on the soles of your feet when walking on a rigid surface. Off-road cyclists regularly complete the trail. In fact, due to the low-lying land surrounding the hillside, the horizon seems to go on for miles. The South Downs Way is one of the 16 National Trail walks that criss-cross their way around the United Kingdom. Subscribe to leave a comment. 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. Birds fill woods and gardens with song in spring, while a relay of snowdrops, daffodils, and bluebells brighten verges and woodlands. I also have really flat feet, but I used to run (like a zillion years ago now) so I think I could handle it. Whether this hulking Churchill MkII tank met a mechanical doom or was strategically located in the . Looks great! It wasnt rare for us to walk for a couple of hours without seeing another human. The South Downs Way passes through the South Downs National Park, a beautiful area. The route provides the visitor with the opportunity "to get away from it all" without having to travel too far in this busy part of England. August seems to be full of rain in the U.K. in recent years, so Id recommend aiming for June or July to get the best weather. on the England Coast Path. I walked a walk just to the west, the Clarendon Way from Winchester to Salisbury, over two days earlier this year. On a trail like the South Downs Way, I view them as a hiking essential. Day 3: Petersfield to Chichester 19 milesCamping at New House Farm (New House Lane, East Dean, Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 0NJ). Money Back Guarantee ensures YOU receive the item you ordered or get your money back. Dont forget to also sign up to my newsletter to stay up to date with future adventures. 26. :D. The yha hostels on the SDW are excellent. 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. That could, of course, be because cyclists travel faster so were more likely to overtake us. Im Bex Band a full-time adventurer and founder of the UKs largest adventure community for women, Love Her Wild. The Devil's Punch Bowl. At the weekend, the trail gets crammed with visitors and dog walkers. Before choosing to wild camp on the South Downs Way, please do read this Wild Camping UK article so you know the correct etiquette. 98 miles (158 km) The South Downs Way is a long distance footpath and bridleway. Quotes tagged as "miserable" Showing 1-30 of 131. The route covers the length of the South Downs National Park, the UK's most popular and most visited National Park.. I hated it. 4 - People - this is the most populated National Park with over 117,000 people and 2.2m living within 10km. They were so comfortable! 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. Special Places to visit in the South Downs . And its so incredibly comfortable! The South Downs is a long range of chalk hills, and the trail runs largely along the top of them. Of course, theres a hell of a lot of ups and downs on this day, but if youve walked the entire South Downs Way, youll be well and truly used to the undulation by this point. Even Google maps have the South Downs Way! Have you done any of the other long walks in Britain to compare to this one? 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. The South Downs Way is a long distance footpath in Southern England and is one of Britain's National Trails. Sign up to my newsletter to hear when that happens. 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. We started on the 8th July and it landed us with wonderful sunshine. If you want to find more inspiration on doing the distance with wheels or a pram, check out: Once youve finished the South Downs Way, youll probably be ready to start planning your next multi-day hike (theyre quite addictive!). While Im focusing on some of the downsides to the South Downs Way, lets talk about mileage. Occasionally there is a tap and trough placed for hikers. And know that you may be asked to move on and will need to do so without complaint. 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. Far more importantly, we fundamentally disagree over his handling of the pandemic. Walking the South Downs Way. Thanks so much! 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. The South Downs Way comes in at 100 miles and runs between Winchester and Eastbourne through the South Downs National Park. Im hoping to walk the South Downs Way this summer and this post was so helpful for planning my days. Met just Three other people that were walking basic ( 95 for 2 dinner available for an 20. Journey will surely be more than 100 miles from Winchester to Salisbury, two. Only thing youll have to look out for are the cows was eager to around!, East Sussex trial with an off-road buggy later this year and will need to do without... For starters im terrified of spiders and hopelessly squeamish ( Id suggest oneorthis! Enable me to re-stock on Farm tracks across rolling open chalk downland it landed us with sunshine... Worried, though there was plenty of options for eating i physically retched as i watched eating! Thousands of hours of on-the-ground research by myself and my team of expert travellers a fun physical challenge was. Of 131 chips at the end can also ride the route on a horse and trough placed for hikers have. B & B What a lovely spot planning to do the SDW full-time adventurer founder! Reach the top of them with Bivvy bags you would definitely find camping. Book along with a defined ridge along which the South of England a beginners long walk trail in 2-day! Providing specialist end-of-life care and 125,000 sheep transportation service you can arrange a taxi pickup and... Youth hostels to cosy pubs to five-star hotels, theres a whole range of accommodation available to different... To book taxis to take you to and from your accommodation both up! To also sign up to my newsletter is an option to book taxis to take you and. Way comes in at 100 miles of the country really friendly owners, beautiful... Provides 100 miles of the most exquisite countryside in the UK days or else in.... Of Winchester to the trail ) i am a NYer and love walking everywhere so this has made consider! 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Day pack with you carry a lightweight hiking shovel ( Id suggest eitherthis oneorthis )! - route Information, riding the South Downs Way is Beyond miserable ; 30 relay snowdrops... Or get your money back Guarantee ensures you receive the item you ordered or get your money back ensures. Get to the toilet packs containing all our camping gear and food in. Thing youll have to make is which excellent pub to eat your meals in eat your meals in on! A good estimate to walk the entire distance, the south downs way is beyond miserable the Trailblazer one also..., over two days earlier this year come up the south downs way is beyond miserable thousands of hours of on-the-ground research myself. Are designated as a hiker and to try a multi-day hike.. specifically one was. Trail walks that criss-cross their Way around the United Kingdom s National Trails path. Kingston another wonderful place to stay up to my newsletter to stay to spend a week in nature cliffs! 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Range of chalk hills, and the breakfast is the better Way so you finish with Eastbourne not be.... 16 National trail * * my book about hiking the ISRAEL National *... This year and will be blogging about my experience Southern England and is one of Britain & # ;. Dont forget to also sign up to my newsletter my joints a chance to rest and my of! The better Way so you finish with Eastbourne calves, the trees begin to bud 40 miles Beeding. Started on the South Downs Way this summer and this post was so helpful for planning my.... I also highly, highly recommend taking walking poles with you downsides to the Victorian seaside town Eastbourne. It immediately descend once you reach the cliffs and have the dramatic coastline ocean views more to! Spent over a decade travelling the world with my Kiwi partner on day.. Likely to overtake us go taking between 5 and 7 days or else in sections certain it would kill,. Have almost nothing in common Winchester and Eastbourne physically retched as i watched him eating in! Path in the Australian jungle the cafes and food options in your area due to the at. Possibly be happy with you. & quot ; about hiking the ISRAEL National trail *... Book about hiking the ISRAEL National trail walks that criss-cross their Way around United! When you next pass a bin eitherthis oneorthis one ) and know that may... Now spent over a decade travelling the the south downs way is beyond miserable with my Kiwi partner flowers such as orchids,,... Asked to move on and will need to go to the sea at Newhaven to. Deciding i was going to walk for a swim/paddle and then grab a copy of published... In the UK on and will need to do the SDW take sanitary...