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South Downs Way Walking Tour

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South Downs Way Walking Tour
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10 days from $1,795USD
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Devils Dyke near South Downs Way
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The complete South Downs Way stretches for a hundred miles over a rare large area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and follows the chalk ridge just to the north of the popular seaside towns on the Sussex and Hampshire coast. The original ‘Way’ extended the 80 miles or so between Eastbourne and Buriton near Petersfield, but was extended in the late 1980s to Winchester making it exactly 100 miles.

At intervals the hilly downlands are broken by “wind gaps” or river valleys, mixing the ridge walking with some meandering visits to beautiful rivers such at the Cuckmere, Arun, Ouse and Meon with their associated villages. There are many historical features, including a couple of remaining round towered Saxon churches, ancient “Dew Ponds” providing water on the high Downs for cattle, cross dykes and tumulus burial sites, Bronze Age hill forts and rings.

This is generally a leisurely paced walk enabling, those who want, to spend a bit of extra time looking at some old churches, or dawdling by Cuckmere Haven, picnicking or pubbing up on some high down, or looking around lowland villages.

England, Europe
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South Downs Way Walking Tour

Enjoy the stunning English countryside as you walk from village to village on your own pace
4.70
(45 reviews)
10 days from $1,795USD
Easy quote
Duration
10 days
Season
Mar-Oct
Activity
Walking
Type
Self-guided, Private
Accommodation
Hotels
Difficulty
Moderate (3/5)
From $1,795USD (see prices for this tour)
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Devils Dyke near South Downs Way
Personalized Service
Let our experienced travel advisors plan your perfect adventure

The complete South Downs Way stretches for a hundred miles over a rare large area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and follows the chalk ridge just to the north of the popular seaside towns on the Sussex and Hampshire coast. The original ‘Way’ extended the 80 miles or so between Eastbourne and Buriton near Petersfield, but was extended in the late 1980s to Winchester making it exactly 100 miles.

At intervals the hilly downlands are broken by “wind gaps” or river valleys, mixing the ridge walking with some meandering visits to beautiful rivers such at the Cuckmere, Arun, Ouse and Meon with their associated villages. There are many historical features, including a couple of remaining round towered Saxon churches, ancient “Dew Ponds” providing water on the high Downs for cattle, cross dykes and tumulus burial sites, Bronze Age hill forts and rings.

This is generally a leisurely paced walk enabling, those who want, to spend a bit of extra time looking at some old churches, or dawdling by Cuckmere Haven, picnicking or pubbing up on some high down, or looking around lowland villages.

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Trip highlights

Enjoy the rolling landscapes of Southern England including the Seven Sisters

Visit historic towns of Alfriston and Winchester

Observe the nature as you walk through the large Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Trek from village to village on your own pace and visit numerous local pubs along the way

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Day by day itinerary
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Day 1
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Arrival in Winchester
Make your own way to Winchester. Train links from London. You may wish to spend some extra time to explore this gem of a town - the ancient capital of England and the Kingdom of Wessex before that. The cathedral has the longest nave in Britain and there is a beautiful walk down through the water meadows to St. Cross. Where a “Dole” of bread and Ale can still be obtained from the monastic buildings.
Distance None
Overnight Location Hotel/BB in Winchester
Included Meals None
Day 2
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Winchester to East Meon
The route ascends out from Winchester, onto the downs at Chilcomb - an old manorial parish. Until the Meon Valley the scenery is undulating and agricultural, a warm-up without being dramatic. You reach the attractive Meon valley via Beacon Hill with its rare spring and summer plant life. The Hampshire Downs then open up and roll on as you pass field after field. At around lunchtime, the necklace of Meon Valley villages: Exton, Corhampton and Meonstoke are all within a mile of each other and are beautiful places to river watch as the Meon River is a real gem. The climb from here up towards Old Winchester Hill is long and steep in its latter stages, so take your time. To start with, ascend beside a beautiful clear chalk stream. The site is a National Nature Reserve and Iron Age fortress, on a clear day the Isle of Wight can be seen.
Distance 26km
Overnight Location Hotel/BB in East Meon
Included Meals Breakfast
Day 3
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East Meon to Cocking
From East Meon, climb back onto the downs. The route then undulates into some vast arable and wooded countryside passing the strange village of Mercury Park. The Way climbs over Butser Hill with Bronze Age field patterns etched upon it. The path then descends through the Queen Elizabeth Country Park. You'll be winding around above the attractive villages of Buriton and South Harting. Accommodation: The Blue Bell Inn is the village pub and is now owned by the local community.
Distance 24km
Overnight Location Hotel/BB in Cocking
Included Meals Breakfast
Day 4
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Cocking to Amberley
The route undulates across the scarp slope of the Downs, soon entering dark and sometimes muddy woodland before ascending to the highest point on the South Downs near Crown Tegleaze at 253m. Descending into the dry valley, there is then a steep climb over Burton Down and then Bignor Hill (225m); where there is a footpath off The Downs to the Roman Villa remains at Bignor. Descend very steeply to cross a footbridge over the River Arun and into Amberley along New Barn Road. Here you are in an attractive Triptych of villages: Amberley, Houghton and Bury on the meandering River Arun. This is a beautiful rural setting. There are many interesting historical features today including a couple of minutes on the Roman Road called Stane Street that connected Chichester with London. You could practice your navigation trying to find the Neolithic Camp just off the route. Chichester Cathedral is also visible seaward at some points.
Distance 29km
Overnight Location Hotel/BB in Amberley
Included Meals Breakfast
Day 5
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Amberley to Steyning
Walk steeply up to rejoin the route. The trail etches its way with views over the River Arun, fields and through pockets of forest continuing above Storrington before dropping 100m to Washington. The trail climbs once again to reach the fascinating Chanctonbury Ring – a Bronze Age hill fort settlement with one or two ghost stories attached to it. A bit more undulating and you end with a steep descent into Steyning,
Distance 19.3km
Overnight Location Hotel/BB in Steyning
Included Meals Breakfast
Day 6
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Steyning to Pyecombe
From Steyning, ascend back to the downs. Follow footpaths to the east of the town back up onto the downs. Watch out for ancient historical features such as Tumuli burial mounds and cross dykes. Passing another great viewpoint at Edburton Hill, the way undulates to over 200 metres, before descending around the ‘Devil’s Dyke’ – said to be the World’s largest chalk dry valley. There is a modern pub restaurant here which does bar and restaurant food, great views and circular walks that you can do if you want to spend more time on the heights. Via Saddlescombe there is a steep ascent over Westhill bringing you then steeply down to village of Pyecombe.
Distance 16km
Overnight Location Hotel/BB in Pyecombe
Included Meals Breakfast
Day 7
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Pyecombe to Rodmell
Ascend out of Pyecombe near Clayton, passing lark-filled skies and the white “Jack and Jill“ Clayton windmills greet you. Today, following mainly grassy tracks, you go over the highest point directly on the route at Ditchling Beacon (248m). You may find an ice cream van up here in summer. There are no real difficulties today, although the climb up from the road is pretty steep. The South Downs Way undulates between large fields and long slopes, until you reach the River Ouse gap near Rodmell, before the trail descends to Southease and into Rodmell. Fans of the Bloomsbury group of Bohemian artists, will be delighted to know that the “Monk’s House” is where Virginia Woolf used to live.
Distance 22.5km
Overnight Location Hotel/BB in Rodmell
Included Meals Breakfast
Day 8
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Rodmell to Alfriston
Today's walk is quite brief, so there is plenty of time to enjoy a late breakfast and spend extra time in Rodmell. Today you cross the valley of the River Ouse and steeply ascend back up the South Downs to the Firle Beacon (217m) and another great viewpoint. As you do have plenty of time, you may consider coming off the hills to visit the villages of west Firle, Alciston and Berwick. These tiny villages all have associations with the Bloomsbury Group and Berwick Church has some interesting paintings. Accommodation: Riverdale House is an elegant and spacious Victorian property with 3 well appointed rooms, each are ensuite. The house enjoys spectacular views across the Cuckmere Valley.
Distance 15.2km
Overnight Location Hotel/BB in Alfriston
Included Meals Breakfast
Day 9
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Alfriston to Eastbourne
From Alfriston follow the meandering Cuckmere River firstly along the river bank and then by the village of Litlington. The path then takes you up onto the downs above the river. At Cliff End you turn to the East and follow the roller-coaster trail over the famous Seven Sisters. These are a series of iconic chalk cliffs to Beachy Head, with its famous lighthouse. From here the trail continues on beside the sea before descending steeply off the hills via Holywell. Finally, enter the outskirts of Eastbourne and walk along the Victorian promenade to the Victorian pier which makes an appropriate place to end the South Downs Way.
Distance 17km
Overnight Location Hotel/BB in Eastbourne
Included Meals Breakfast
Day 10
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Depart
Arrangements end after breakfast.
Distance None
Overnight Location None
Included Meals Breakfast

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Dates and prices
👇 Prices below are per person

Single Room

Double Room

DatesSingle RoomDouble Room
Apr 1, 2025 to Apr 30, 2025$2,750USD$1,795USD
May 1, 2025 to Jun 30, 2025$2,750USD$1,795USD
Jul 1, 2025 to Aug 31, 2025$2,750USD$1,795USD
Sep 1, 2025 to Sep 30, 2025$2,750USD$1,795USD
Oct 1, 2025 to Oct 31, 2025$2,750USD$1,795USD
Optional Extras
Single Room Supplement (per room)$750USD
*Please note that the prices depend on the size of your group
What’s included

Meals

9 breakfasts are included. Packed lunches can be booked and paid for on arrival at your accommodation.

Accommodations

Accommodations for 9 nights are included.

Transportation during the Tour

This tour includes luggage transfers for your luggage; however, you are in charge of any personal transfers needed.

Also Included

  • Detailed documents, guides, route maps, and GPX tracks
  • Emergency telephone support hotline for the duration of the tour
  • Pre-planned route

Not included

  • Flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Visas if required
  • Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
  • Guide services
  • Tourist hotel tax, payable each night at hotel
  • Airport transfers
  • Gratuities for drivers, servers, or other staff if desired

Optional Extras

  • Single occupancy upgrades

Accommodation for South Downs Way Walking Tour

There is a variety of accommodation along the route ranging from bed and breakfasts, country inns and small hotels. They are run by walker friendly hosts offering rooms and a tasty breakfast to get you ready for the walk ahead. Further facilities such as washing and drying facilities, packed lunches and packed lunches are available in some accommodations, you will be advised on your listing of what is available.

In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.

Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
Rooms are double occupancy. You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel where possible. Solo travellers may be required to pay a supplement.

Frequently asked questions

How hard is the South Downs Way Walking Tour?

We rate this tour as a 3 / 5. The walks are mostly on public footpaths & minor lanes, with some sections along roads.

I’ve never been on a self-guided trip! How does it work?

Self-guided travelling is not difficult! For many, it is a preferred type of travel since you are in charge of your own time and pace. You are provided with all the information you’ll need to follow the route each day and often have access to phone support or other kinds of assistance. However, self-guided travelling requires good navigation skills and those who don’t feel confident in unknown places should consider booking guided tours.

Do I need a visa to travel to England?

Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.

Are meals included on the South Downs Way Walking Tour?

9 breakfasts are included. Packed lunches can be booked and paid for on arrival at your accommodation.

Do I need insurance?

Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover walking. Get your travel insurance.

How do I get to Winchester to start this tour?

The best way of getting to Winchester is by train from London taking approx. 1 hour (there is an option from London Paddington via Reading or the option from London Waterloo – either direct or via Basingstoke).

Where does the South Downs Way Walking Tour end?

This tour ends in Eastbourne.

Do I need special vaccines to travel to England?

Check with your family doctor.

Are there any travel restrictions for England?

Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.

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Why travellers choose this tour
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