South Downs Way

South Downs Way Overview

The South Downs Way is beautiful journey through the downlands of South East England, starting in the historic city of Winchester. The route follows paths and ancient green lanes though England’s newest national park before reaching the English Channel at the dramatic chalk cliffs of Seven Sisters.

The South Downs Way starts at the ancient and historic city of Winchester and follows the northern crest of the chalk escarpment of the South Downs, all the way to the sea. Stretching for 100 miles through England’s newest National Park, to the seaside town of Eastbourne, this walking holiday offers a fabulous taste of this lovely rural area, with spectacular views, expansive fields, beautiful woodlands, picturesque villages and huge amounts of history.

The South Downs Way is well marked and easy to follow. It is used by horses and cyclists, so is very accessible, with almost no stiles. It links many ancient and historic tracks, used by travellers and traders since the Stone Age. It is one of the easiest National Trails, with few steep sections, apart from when the route drops down into river valleys, and for the descent to overnight stays in the pretty towns, villages and farms along the way.

Although seldom exceeding 250m (820ft), this walking holiday gives a great feeling of space, and a sense of being ‘on top of the world’. Passing iron age hill forts, the spectacular chalk formations of The Devil’s Dyke and the Seven Sisters, and rolling countryside with fields of grazing sheep, corn and wild flowers. The South Downs Way offers a magnificent sense of solitude, centuries of history and a cross section of one of the most beautiful parts of southern England.