the south downs way is beyond miserable

Excited squeal! I used to spend family holidays at the seaside in the U.K., so it filled me with a certain amount of nostalgia. Whatever your approach to food, you are going to want to make sure you start with plenty of snacks in your bag to keep you going on your 100mile hike. Dave's brought a map, a compass, a navigational guide for the South Downs Way, a gas canister, and a spare water pouch for me. The owner really helped to make our visit perfect. Tackle the South Downs Way, the trail on which walkers, cyclists, and equestrians can explore the 99-mile (160-kilometer) length of the national park from Winchester to the chalk cliffs of Beachy . South Downs Way - 8 Days & 7 Nights. Quotes tagged as "miserable" Showing 1-30 of 131. This trail is so beautiful! The South Downs Way stretches 100 miles from Winchester to the Victorian seaside town of Eastbourne on the South Coast of England. 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. Had some ice creams and lunch along the way and a bag of chips at the end. Just one point, in the East to West/West to East section you state that East to West is the best way, but you describe the West to East route in the paragraph. 5 - It's a walkers' paradise! As UK is especially prone to rain Id also add waterproof trousers to this list. Dont stand too near the edges of the cliffs even if you see others do the same. Off-road cyclists regularly complete the trail. This Campsites South Downs Way directory lists all the campsites available near the trail. We veered off-course by accident and followed the Monarch Way for 15 minutes before realising, but it was an easy cut across a field to rejoin the South Downs Way. 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. There are signposts every few hundred metres and whenever you come across a fork or turning in the path. Peter Owen-Jones takes us into the heart of the UK's newest national park - the South Downs - in a portrait of one of Britain's most iconic landscapes. Your email address will not be published. The South Downs Way runs for 100 miles from Winchester to Eastbourne. 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 also saves you the hassle of needing to return to the start point at the end. The South Downs are designated as a national park. Walk amongst vibrant yellow fields of corn, along picturesque . 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). Far more importantly, we fundamentally disagree over his handling of the pandemic. Although the relentlessness of the hills shouldnt be underestimated, Id say this is a good trail for hiking and backpacking beginners. East Meon:Ye Olde George Inn While the room was nothing mind-blowing, the food at the pub below more than made up for it! In terms of weather windows from April-October will give you the best weather. This 100 mile (160km) off-road National Trail picks its way through the entire length of the South . Kingston near Lewes:Airbnb in Kingston Another wonderful place to stay! Awesome website! Id suggest bringing a buff and a warm hat you can pull over your ears to give your face a break on especially windy days. A big section of the South Downs is privately owned farmland which you shouldnt be camping on without permission. All the hotels and b&bs come with a personal recommendation they are clean, comfortable and have great customer service. The room was spacious with an en-suite bathroom, supplies for breakfast, and a little terrace to sit out on. There are other accommodation options in Lewes from B&B to Airbnb rooms or Id recommend wild camping this night***. The South Downs will leave you spattered to the waist in grey-white mud. 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. Again a life-changing piece of kit. "The reason many people in our society are miserable, sick, and highly stressed is because of an unhealthy attachment to things they have no control over.". I do a lot of camping with my job (running the womens adventure Light was already starting to come through the windows at half four in the morning. The South Downs Way Route. I set out on 10-mile walk once a week in the two months leading up to the South Downs Way. For 22 per transfer, you can arrange for South Downs Discoveryto pick up your bag every morning and drive it to your next B&B for you to collect when you arrive. Before choosing to wild camp on the South Downs Way, please do read this Wild Camping UK article so you know the correct etiquette. We met just three other people that were walking the entire distance, although there were dozens of other people out on day hikes. Alternatively, use toilet paper and take it with you (just store it in a disposable sandwhich bag or a biodegradable nappy/poop bag) then dispose of it when you see a bin. The South Downs Way passes through the South Downs National Park, a beautiful area. 26. It's the only one of 16 National Trails contained entirely within a national park. Theres great recommendations on pubs to eat in, perfect lunch stops along the way, and accommodation to stop off at. 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. What a great article Im not British and had never heard of the South Downs Way before your recent posts, and I am really enjoying learning about it in so much detail! There are also a few cafes where you can treat yourself to a hot drink and ice cream. It'. Western Downs: Harting Downs to Treyford Hill. The undulating route provides a wonderful trip . Also check out my recently published book Three Stripes South, all about my first big adventure hiking the length of Israel. And if there werent? I invested in this high-end pairfrom Black Diamond and adored them. What that means is that unless youre camping, youll need to wander off the trail each evening, then kick off every morning with a mile-odd trek uphill to rejoin the path. Just search restaurant and it will highlight all the cafes and food options in your area. If you wish to take it slower, you can do around 20 miles in a day or take extra days to explore the South Downs surrounding areas. I started doing some research last night and saw Hadrians Wall and the Thames Path both come up. Heres where we stayed on the South Downs Way: Cheriton:The Brick House B&B What a lovely spot! like this. We found the terrain to be easy underfoot and the sloping climbs manageable with our heavy packs containing all our camping gear and food. Especially on a hot day. 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. I'm Lauren, the founder of Never Ending Footsteps. For the most part, though, I was surprised by how few people we encountered. You do pass the odd pub and (in peak season) cafes and ice cream vans in hot spots, like along the Seven Sisters way. 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. Required fields are marked *. The accommodation recommendations below are as close to the trail as possible. I am a NYer and love walking everywhere so this has made be consider a new vacation option! The 100 miles (160 Km) long South Downs Way National Trail follows the old routes and droveways along the chalk escarpment and ridges of the South Downs. Your email address will not be published. Youve convinced me! Are there any places that would recommend for lunch stops or cafes for takeaway on the route please? Thanks for sharing! It would usually take a solid nights sleep for my feet to stop hurting each day just in time for me to start walking again. / the south downs way is beyond miserable. We recommend that you wear your usual riding attire, as well as waterproofs if the weather is looking like it could be damp. The route passes by it on the way out of town. Follow the South Downs Trail to Winchester or eastward towards Old Winchester Hill, Petersfield & on to Eastbourne. We wild camped the whole way, bringing all the food with us bought in advance. There was an-suite bathroom, an exceptionally comfortable bed, and a pub just a few metres away. Characterised by its rolling hills and chalk downland, the South Downs Way has impeccable drainage properties, meaning there shouldnt be any slippery ground or swollen legs when riding the South Downs Way. The rooms are comfortable, if a little dated, and the large TVs were great for watching England beat New Zealand in the Cricket World Cup sucks to be Dave. Most people spend 7 or 8 days walking the whole South Downs Way. 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. I use the money to pay for hosting and domain fees to keep the site running. 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. Well, kind of but not really. Yes, Im fortunate to have feet that are as flat as the floor I stand on and it made for a tough challenge. I walked a walk just to the west, the Clarendon Way from Winchester to Salisbury, over two days earlier this year. And if, like me, you dont actually have any arches, the walk can be even more excruciating. Occasionally there is a tap and trough placed for hikers. Day 4: Chichester to Amberley 13 miles (Camping wild camp spot)Camping at High Tittern (High Tittern Lane, Amberley, grid ref. It is wooded, with a defined ridge along which the South Downs Way runs. March 3, 2022 by Leslie Gilmour. Legally you are not allowed to camp on the South Downs. Not only is the scenery breathtaking, but the pubs are cosy, the locals friendly, and the walking challenging but in a good way. the south downs way is beyond miserable. The trail incredibly easy to follow thanks to the organised and clear waymarkers. Whatever you use, make sure you take a battery pack (I always use an Anker pack) as having a fully charged phone is essential for safety as well as useful should you need to check things like opening times or to call a pub to make a reservation. While that's probably true, I still wouldn't rate it as "easy," especially on longer (15+ mile) days. The Osprey Lumina is part of their ultra-lightweight range (it weighs just 770 grams!) Day 6: Alfriston to Eastbourne (13 miles)Staying at: Albert & Victoria (77 for 2 including breakfast.an AMAZING hotel!!). 8-9 days is a good estimate to walk the entire route at an easy pace. Miserable goes way beyond sad it means absolutely wretched. A journey that can be taken by cyclists and horse-riders . It looks beautiful so probably worth all of the foot pain! 8 days is a reasonable target for most people with reasonable fitness . Day 7: Lewes to Seaford 18 milesCamping at Foxhole campsite (Seven Sisters Country Park, Exceat, Seaford, East Sussex, BN25 4AG) close to the trail. Birds fill woods and gardens with song in spring, while a relay of snowdrops, daffodils, and bluebells brighten verges and woodlands. the south downs way is beyond miserable. This would require you to cover around 12-15 miles a day. ), the South Downs Way is an adventure you definitely don't want to skip! You should take away any toilet paper that you use. 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. Required fields are marked *. For this reason, spring and autumn are considered the best times to hike, although really you can do the walk all year round. 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. The South Downs National Park and the South Downs Way: The official leaflet for the South Downs Way National Park and South Downs Way National Trail. But now added to that list are wheelchair users and off-road buggies. It also means you only need to carry a day pack with you. Ah, I love that. The South Downs Way has become the first fully accessible national trail! 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. In short, if youre considering walking this trail, go do it! The small village of Exton lies in the South Downs National Park, on the west bank of the River Meon and immediately north of Corhampton. Walkers in Britain are an oddly talkative bunch for a country thats full of socially-awkward people so whenever you do run into someone, theyll usually be down for a chat. the south downs way is beyond miserable . Theres also a super-useful distance calculator in the book that gives the mileage from village to village this enabled us to know how far we could expect to walk each day, rather than guessing with Google Maps. Can you wild camp on the South Downs Way? Compass and magnifying glass (not used) Cicerone guidebook and map (guidebook not used) Sketchbook and chalks (304g) Waist belt. And you are never far from a pub or road if you need a getaway. But maybe not quite 20 mile days! I loved Winchester and wished Id had more time to explore its beautiful buildings. 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. I suggest going outside of school holidays if you can and avoiding any bank holiday weekends. They undulate like a grassy spine from Winchester to Eastbourne, encompassing some of the most romantic, accessible walking trails in Britain, a welter of heathlands and peaks, grazing sheep and pounded footpaths.Kissing gates punctuate the chalk hills, the fields beneath the ridges a patchwork of farmland, green or . We used a small discrete 2 man tent without issue. The South Downs way is beyond miserable. Day 6: Poynings to Lewes 13 miles Camping at Spring Barn Farm (Kingston Rd, Lewes, BN7 3ND)***Note that Spring Barn Farm has now closed. The South Downs Way provides 100 miles of the most exquisite countryside in the South of England, particularly enjoyable when explored on horseback. I settled on the South Downs Way because I knew the navigation was easy and there were no major climbs. Whether you are out for a leisurely hack or prefer to use the downs for fitness work, there is something for everyone. The South Downs Way is a long distance footpath in Southern England and is one of Britain's National Trails. 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. As one of the UK's most challenging National Trails the South Downs Way is enjoyed by a huge cross-section of walkers of various abilities. 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. We already owned all the gear we needed.Travel 53Accommodation 0Food 27TOTAL 80. Why? How easy would it be to camp on the South Downs Way? 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. The South Downs Way takes you through a wonderfully varied landscape of woodland, chalk downs, arable farmland, meandering rivers, ancient forts and castles and picture postcards, and traditional English villages. the south downs way is beyond miserable. Website Design, Build & Digital Marketing by WRD. And dont forget to give me a follow onFacebookandInstagram. 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. battled the censors a @RandPauld helped many of us learn: More 6. A tough mum covered the full distance with her children and a buggy carrying all their items, Champing: a guide to camping in ancient churches, contingency its always good to have a contingency in the budget, 200 should be plenty for their hike to account for any unplanned taxis or accommodation if needed. The South Downs, Truleigh Hill and Eastbourne hostels are on the route, with Brighton yha about 7 miles away. The first is weather and the second is how busy the trail is going to be. Downs National park South of England will highlight all the gear we needed.Travel 0Food! Thanks to the South Downs, Truleigh Hill and Eastbourne hostels are on the South Downs Way: Cheriton the! Its beautiful buildings shouldnt be camping on without permission Downs, Truleigh and. Absolutely wretched Digital Marketing by WRD days is a tap and trough placed for hikers wild this! 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