FIND YOUR WAY GETTING AROUND Follow the Acorn symbol for the South Downs Way The South Downs National Park is easy to access by THE SOUTH DOWNS National Trail. For other rights of way use the arrows rail from London and the South Coast. Visit on waymarkers to pick your route. nationalrail.co.uk to plan your journey. NATIONAL PARK Footpath There is a network of bus routes running throughout AND THE SOUTH the South Downs. Buy a Discovery ticket for Bridleway individuals or for families, and have unlimited travel DOWNS WAY Restricted byway for the day across the National Park and surrounding area (ask the bus operators for more information), Byway visit traveline.info/se to plan your journey. Open access land National Trail Acorn Use our interactive Discovery Map to create your own itinerary of attractions, activities and transport TAKE THE LEAD options to fill a perfect day in the South Downs, southdowns.gov.uk/discovery-map For a safe and fun visit with your dog please remember to keep them on a lead around livestock and wildlife. Always bag and bin your dog poo – any public bin will do!
YOUR COUNTRYSIDE CODE RESPECT. PROTECT. ENJOY. Respect other people ÎÎLeave gates and property as you find them ÎÎKeep to the paths unless on Open Access Land ÎÎSlow down for horses, walkers and livestock when cycling CONTACT Protect the natural environment South Downs National @SDNPA ÎÎTake your litter home Park Authority: @southdownswaynt ÎÎKeep dogs under effective control 01730 814810 /SDNPA ÎÎDon’t damage or pick wildflowers Enjoy the outdoors Details correct at time of going to print. Please be aware that routes are shared ÎÎPlan ahead and be prepared with other users (vehicles, pedestrians, dogs, horses etc.) We do not accept any responsibility for loss, damage or injury, however caused, arising directly or indirectly ÎÎIf cycling, take a puncture repair kit and pump from use of this leaflet. Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and Please database right 2013. recycle me ÎÎFollow advice and local signs Cover image © SDNPA/Sam Moore after use THE SOUTH DOWNS THE SOUTH DOWNS WAY NATIONAL PARK The South Downs Way is a 100 mile (160km) long- The South Downs National Park has it all – rolling hills, distance off-road National Trail running the entire glorious heathland, river valleys, ancient woodland, length of the South Downs National Park. Providing listed buildings, diverse archaeology, thriving villages spectacular views from its high ridges across a and market towns, and the iconic white cliffs of the changing patchwork of fields, woods, rolling hills, Heritage Coast. wide river valleys and its Heritage Coast, this route Stop anywhere in the South Downs and it is hard not connects Winchester, the Saxon Capital of England, to find an inspiring view. Covering over 1600 km2 of NATIONAL PARK PURPOSES with the white cliffs of Eastbourne. England’s most valued lowland landscapes the South AND DUTY It is possible to make the entire journey from Downs is a living working place full of hidden gems for The National Park does not own any land. Instead it Winchester to Eastbourne on foot, horseback or bike. to you to discover. works in partnership with local people, land owners, With a total of 3,800 metres, or 12,600ft of ascent, farmers, land managers, local authorities and other it normally takes 7–10 days to walk, or 2–4 days to WILDLIFE organisations to deliver two shared purposes: ride. The National Park has a rich mosaic of habitats that ÎÎPurpose 1: To conserve and enhance the natural For maps and guides, details of where to stay, support many rare and internationally important wildlife beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the area. suggested circular routes and much more visit species. ÎÎPurpose 2: To promote opportunities for the nationatrail.co.uk/south-downs-way. understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the National Park by the public.
Duty The National Park Authority has a duty to seek to foster the economic and social wellbeing of the local communities within the National Park.
Round Headed Rampion Barn Owl © Mary Shotter © D.Middleton ENJOY AND PLAY YOUR PART You’d be amazed at how much difference little changes can make... ÎÎUse water wisely – our water system supports important wildlife and supplies 1.2 million people with fresh, clean water. ÎÎSupport our farmers and communities by trying local food, a locally brewed beer or our world-
Adonis Blue Butterfly famous sparkling wine southdownsfood.org Water Vole © Terry Whittaker © Neil Hulme ÎÎIf you have some spare time, why not volunteer. Find out more at southdowns.gov.uk/ volunteering BASINGSTOKE ALDERSHOT M3 DORKING GUILDFOR D SOUTH DOWNS WAY South Downs National Park Boundary THE SOUTH DOWNS South Downs Way NATIONAL TRAIL South Downs Way Footpath Only NATIONAL PARK Follow the acorn! National Cycle Network route (NCN) The South Downs Way is marked along the whole Long distance routes Trail with this acorn logo. Planned route 4 Railway Accessibility 1 Railway stations View to Old Winchester Hill, Hampshire East Meon, Hampshire Little Butser , Hampshire Arundel Castle,We st Sussex Cissbury Ring, West Sussex View from Ditchling Beacon, East Sussex Seven Sisters, East Sussex The Trail has some moderately steep sections suitable for anyone Countryside sites M23 Wrecclesham who is reasonably fit. People with mobility problems can access Lingfield Settlement Godalming parts of the Trail and “Tramper” type off-road disability buggies Charlwood Smallfield Visitor Information ALTON Milford can complete the entire route if arranged in advance by contacting Alice Holt Harris © Cath No cycling Stroll through glorious heathland: Chapel the Trail team through the website: nationaltrail.co.uk/ Drinking water taps Binsted Shipwrights Common Cranleigh south-downs-way/contact-trail-team Way CRAWLEY EAST Repair stations Take in outstanding views: St Catherine’s Hill Four GRINSTEAD Marks 2 Hindhead A26 NCN23 A31Chawton M3 New Bordon M23 Alresford Selborne Haslemere A22 A3 Liphook 6 Crowborough Selborne A325 Itchen Black Down A23 WINCHESTER Monkwood Common Horsham 7 Abbas Northchapel A31 Hangers 4 A264 A272 Way Liss Fernhurst 1 St. Catherine’s Hill Wisborough A26 River Itchen Milland Green A22 PETERSFIELD Billingshurst Cuckfield
West Meon NCN20 River Rother Woolbeding Twyford East Meon Serpent 2 A29 Haywards A265 M3 Beacon Hill Iping Common Common A27 Connect with our ancestors: Cissbury Ring A272 Trail Heath Butser Hill A272 A272 Walk or ride the South Downs Upham Buriton Way: Ditchling Beacon Old A272 NCN23 MIDHURST Petworth Burgess Uckfield A32 Winchester South Harting A28 Downs 3 Heathfield Eastleigh Bishopstoke Hill Shipwrights Way Pulborough Link Hill Droxford Hurstpierpoint A22 Bishop’s Cocking A27 River Meon Harting Down Waltham Queen Elizabeth 9 Henfield Meon Country Park Heyshott Down 5 A2 A28 5 6 Valley Trail Hambledon Hassocks A267 Storrington 1 A2 Shirrell A28 A283Steyning A2 Ditchling Heath Rowlands Castle Singleton 3 Bignor Hill Ringmer A2 SOUTHAMPTON Fulking 7 Ditchling The Cuckoo 7 A2 ) Kingley Vale Goodwood Chanctonbury Beacon Trail Amberley 4 Wickham A28 Country Park NCN90 LEWES NCN2 5 Barnham9 River Arun Ring Devil’s Dyke A2 4 Falmer Glynde Hailsham A3(M 3 A28 Findon Lavant to Bignor Berwick 5 Cissbury Ring NCN82 A2 3 Centurion Arundel Mill Hill 7 M27 A Havant NCN2 River Adur River Ouse NCN90 A22 Way 6 7 A27 A2 Firle Beacon A22 NCN2 FAREHAM Long Man Southease Alfriston 5 CHICHESTER Barnham BRIGHTON & HOVE Egrets of Wilmington NCN2 Way Cuckmere River 2 WORTHING Rottingdean A259 NCN2 LITTLEHAMPTON EASTBOURNE GOSPORT A25 N Newhaven 8 9 3 BOGNOR REGIS Seaford PORTSMOUTH 8 0 1100 kkmm Seven Sisters East Dean ENGLISH CHANNE L Country Park Beachy Head
Come and be inspired: Jane Austen’s House
Explore ancient woodland: Kingley Vale Enjoy our Heritage Coast: Seven Sisters Discover our heritage: Arundel Castle
SOUTH DOWNS WAY PROFILE Ditchling Beacon WINCHESTER Butser Hill Litleton Farm A285 Chanctonbury Ring Pyecombe A23 Firle Beacon Wilmington Hill EASTBOURNE Cheesefoot Head Beacon Hill QECP Harting Down Cocking Hill A286 Bignor Hill Washington A24 Devil’s Dyke Housedean Farm A27 Alfriston Jevington ft ft 600 600 400 400 200 200 0 0 10 The River Meon 20 30 40 The River Arun 50 60 70 80 The River Ouse 90 100 miles The River Adur The River Cuckmere