SDW-6 00 colour_Prelims Template 6/11/17 4:48 pm Page 1 JIM MANTHORPE wrote the first edition of this book. He has trekked in many of the world’s mountainous regions from Patagonia to the Himalaya and Scandinavia to the Canadian Rockies. He is the author of three other Trailblazer guidebooks: Pembrokeshire Coast Path, Tour du Mont Blanc and Scottish Highlands Hillwalking Guide. He has also researched and updated numerous other Trailblazer titles. Jim lives on the west coast of the Scottish Highlands and now works as a wildlife cameraman and film-maker. He has filmed eagles, otters and orcas for various BBC programmes including Springwatch. See : www.jimmanthorpe.com. This sixth edition of South Downs Way was updated by DANIEL MCCROHAN. He was joined, as ever, by his trusty sidekick, Yoyo, his seven-year-old daughter who has now hiked her way along four of Britain’s national trails. Daniel is a veteran guidebook author and fluent Chinese speaker who has spent the past decade writing and updating more than 30 guidebooks for both Trailblazer and Lonely Planet, covering destinations ranging from Boscastle to Beijing. You can follow his adventures around the globe at : danielmccrohan.com. Authors Title: South Downs Way-6 DTP: FF Page: 1 SDW-6 00 colour_Prelims Template 6/11/17 4:48 pm Page 2 South Downs Way First edition: 2004, this sixth edition 2018 Publisher Trailblazer Publications The Old Manse, Tower Rd, Hindhead, Surrey, GU26 6SU, UK [email protected], www.trailblazer-guides.com British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library ISBN 978-1-905864-93-5 © Trailblazer 2004, 2007, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2018: Text and maps Editor and layout: Anna Jacomb-Hood Cartography: Nick Hill Proofreaders: Nicky Slade and Jane Thomas Index: Anna Jacomb-Hood Photographs (flora): C3 Bottom right, © Jane Thomas All other photographs: © Bryn Thomas unless otherwise indicated All rights reserved. Other than brief extracts for the purposes of review no part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the publisher and copyright owner. The maps in this guide were prepared from out-of-Crown- copyright Ordnance Survey maps amended and updated by Trailblazer. Acknowledgements From Daniel Special thanks goes to my daughter, Yoyo McCrohan, for once again proving to be the most effervescent of walking partners – the Seven Sisters were no match for this seven- year-old! I’m also grateful to Bryn Thomas for commissioning me for this project. Thanks too to Fraser C Addecott for his local expertise, and to Mum, Sam and Heidi, for holding the fort back home. I’d also like to thank all those readers who wrote in with comments and sugges- tions, in particular, Stuart Blackburne, Gerald Cleaver, David Cocovini, Anne Conchie, Susan Corbett, Bea Delannoy & Olivier, Rodney Duggua, Rachel & Karl-Peter Hammer, Richard Marshall, Keith McKenna, Nick Price, Trudi & Andy Rintoul, Paloma Sainsbury and Sue Wood. Finally, thanks as always, to everyone at Trailblazer: Anna Jacomb-Hood for editing, layout and index; Nick Hill for the maps and Nicky Slade and Jane Thomas for proofreading. A request The author and publisher have tried to ensure that this guide is as accurate and up to date as possible. Nevertheless, things change. If you notice any changes or omissions that should be included in the next edition of this book, please write to Trailblazer (address above) or email us at : [email protected]. A free copy of the next edition will be sent to persons making a significant contribution. Warning: coastal walking and long-distance walking can be dangerous Please read the notes on when to go (pp12-16) and outdoor safety (pp66-8). Every effort has been made by the author and publisher to ensure that the information contained herein is as accurate and up to date as possible. However, they are unable to accept responsibility for any inconvenience, loss or injury sustained by anyone as a result of the advice and infor- mation given in this guide. Updated information will be available on: : www.trailblazer-guides.com Photos – Front cover and this page: The view along the Seven Sisters cliffs. (Photo © Yoyo McCrohan). Previous page: The classic chalky line of the Way, stretching up Beeding Hill. Overleaf: Yellow rape-seed flowers bring Iford Hill to life. (Photos © Daniel McCrohan). % Printed in China; print production by D’Print ( +65-6581 3832), Singapore Title: South Downs Way-6 DTP: FF Page: 2 SDW-6 00 colour_Prelims Template 6/11/17 4:48 pm Page 3 South Downs WAY WINCHESTER TO EASTBOURNE 60 large-scale maps & guides to 49 towns and villages PLANNING – PLACES TO STAY – PLACES TO EAT JIM MANTHORPE o SIXTH EDITION RESEARCHED AND UPDATED BY - o DANIEL McCROHAN t - n d e , . e d r o t n y - TRAILBLAZER PUBLICATIONS o TRAILBLAZER PUBLICATIONS . wns Way-6 Title: South Downs Way-6 FF Page: 2 DTP: FF Page: 3 SDW-6 00 colour_Prelims Template 6/11/17 4:48 pm Page 4 INTRODUCTION P About the South Downs Way U History 9 – How difficult is the path? 10 – How long do you need? 12 When to go 12 – Seasons 13 – Festivals and annual events 14 W Temperature 16 – Rainfall 16 – Daylight hours 16 W PART 1: PLANNING YOUR WALK ( E Practical information for the walker ( Route finding 17 – Accommodation 18 – Food and drink 21 B Money 23 – Information for foreign visitors 24 – Other services 25 – ( Walking companies & baggage transfer 26 – Mountain biking 27 Taking dogs along the Way 28 – Disabled access 28 C ( Budgeting 28 H Itineraries A Town and village facilities 30 – Which direction? 32 – Suggested ( itineraries 33 – Day and weekend walks 34 U What to take S Keep your luggage light 35 – How to carry it 35 – Footwear 36 ( Clothes 37 – Toiletries 38 – First-aid kit 38 – General items 38 P Camping gear 39 – Money 39 – Maps 39 – Sources of further information 40 – Recommended reading 41 P ( Getting to and from the South Downs Way L Getting to Britain 42 – National transport 42 – Local transport 44 R Public transport map 45 – Public transport services 46 S PART 2: THE ENVIRONMENT & NATURE ( A Flora and fauna ( Butterflies 48 – Flowers 49 – Trees 51 – Mammals 52 – Reptiles 52 P Birds 53 – Geology 54 A Conservation of the South Downs ( Government agencies and schemes 57 – Campaigning and conservation organisations 58 E PART 3: MINIMUM IMPACT WALKING A & OUTDOOR SAFETY A C Minimum impact walking Economic impact 60 – Environmental impact 61 – Access 63 M The Countryside Code 64 I Outdoor safety and health Avoidance of hazards 66 – Footcare 67 – Sunburn, Hypothermia & Hyperthermia 67 – Weather forecasts 68 – Dealing with an O Contents accident 68 Title: South Downs Way-6 DTP: FF Page: 4 SDW-6 00 colour_Prelims Template 6/11/17 4:48 pm Page 5 PART 4: ROUTE GUIDE AND MAPS Using this guide 69 2 71 4 Winchester Winchester to Exton 77 (Chilcomb 78, Cheriton 78, Exton 84) Exton to Buriton 86 (East Meon 88, Buriton 93, Petersfield 93) Buriton to Cocking 98 – (South Harting 100, Cocking 102, Midhurst 104) Cocking to Amberley 106 (Heyshott 106, Graffham 106, Sutton & Bignor 113, Bury 116, Houghton Bridge 116, Amberley 118, Arundel 119) Amberley to Steyning 123 d (Storrington 125, Washington 128, Steyning 130, Bramber & Upper Beeding 132) Steyning to Pyecombe 134 (Truleigh Hill 137, Fulking 137, Poynings 137, Newtimber Hill 137, Pyecombe 140) 140 Pyecombe to Southease (Clayton 142, Ditchling 142, Plumpton 144, Lewes 146, Between Lewes and Kingston-near-Lewes 152, Kingston-near-Lewes 152, Rodmell 155, Southease 158) Southease to Alfriston 158 (West Firle 158, Alciston 161, Berwick 161, Alfriston 161) Alfriston to Eastbourne (coastal route via Cuckmere) 165 (Litlington 165, Westdean & Exceat 166, Seven Sisters Country 2 Park 166, Birling Gap 170, Beachy Head 170, Meads 170) Alfriston to Eastbourne (inland route via Jevington) 172 (Milton Street 172, Wilmington 172, Jevington 174) Eastbourne 178 APPENDICES A: GPS waypoints 183 B: Distance chart 184 C: Taking a dog along the Way 188 MAP KEY 190 INDEX 191 OVERVIEW MAPS & PROFILES 194 Contents wns Way-6 Title: South Downs Way-6 FF Page: 4 DTP: FF Page: 5 SDW-6 00 colour_Prelims Template 6/11/17 4:48 pm Page 6 ABOUT THIS BOOK This guidebook contains all the information you need. The hard work has been done for you so you can plan your trip from home without the usual pile of books, maps, guides and internet research. When you’re all packed and ready to go, there’s comprehensive public transport information to get you to and from the trail and 60 detailed maps and town plans to help you find your way along it. T The guide includes: i l All standards of accommodation with reviews of campsites, camp- t ing barns, hostels, B&Bs, pubs/inns, guesthouses and hotels E l Walking companies if you want an organised tour, and baggage- t transfer services if you just want your luggage carried u l Itineraries for all types of walkers D l Answers to all your questions: when to go, degree of difficulty, v what to pack, and how much the whole walking holiday will cost l Walking times in both directions and GPS waypoints o l Cafés, pubs, tearooms, takeaways, restaurants and food shops t l Rail, bus & taxi information for all villages and towns on the path a l Street plans of the main towns both on and off the path b l Historical, cultural and geographical background information l W ❏ s MINIMUM IMPACT FOR MAXIMUM INSIGHT w Nature’s peace will flow into you as the sunshine flows into trees.