I loved this pair from Black Diamond! Compass and magnifying glass (not used) Cicerone guidebook and map (guidebook not used) Sketchbook and chalks (304g) Waist belt. Subpar gear but superior English weather. 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. The smell . arduino credit card skimmer. like this. Whether youre out for a gentle Sunday hack or prefer to use the bridleways of the South Downs Way to improve your horses fitness, there is something for everyone. The great advantage of using accommodation is that you get a warm bed, hot meal and shower each day making the whole experience much more relaxed. 2. For the end, you will be catching a train from Eastbourne. Had some ice creams and lunch along the way and a bag of chips at the end. No commitment. The South Downs are designated as a national park. Counting every gram and dont want to over pack if i dont need to. The Trailblazer guide will come in handy for the walk if youre not sure if youve gone wrong, and Google Maps will also help by showing where you currently are as long as you have signal, of course. The South Downs stretches from Winchester in Hampshire to Eastbourne in Sussex, with the South Downs Way covering the 101 miles . The South Downs is a long range of chalk hills, and the trail runs largely along the top of them. From camping to youth hostels to cosy pubs to five-star hotels, theres a whole range of accommodation available to suit different price ranges. While an additional mile doesnt sound like a big deal when youre sat on your sofa at home, when youre actually out walking, it can be super-demoralising after an exhausting day. The ride from Arundel at the southern edge of the South Downs, through the villages of Petworth and Northchapel to the north showcases why this is such a special part of the world. You could look at organising taxis and pickups for some of them or wild camp (see my heading below on wild camping). There are 2 factors to consider when picking your dates. Ive done long sections of this walk and Im now going to be completing the final 40 miles (Steyning area to Eastbourne) over two days in 2 weeks time. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Buying a 4m bell tent was probably one of the best purchases I have ever made. In short, if youre considering walking this trail, go do it! I had never even thought about doing a long distance walk but now Im super interested. Or perhaps do a mix of both. Hadrians Wall is a little easier in terms of walking surface, so you could also do a few days of that. The first is weather and the second is how busy the trail is going to be. Not all rides need to be on the path, why not take a leisurely tour between scenic villages on your road or regular bile. Walking the South Downs Way. ), the South Downs Way is an adventure you definitely don't want to skip! When budgeting for walking the South Downs Way, youll need to factor in: Doing it on a tight budgetIf you are on a tight budget, camping and wild camping will be your cheapest option accommodation will be free or very cheap (most campsites are about 20 a night). In particular when you reach the cliffs and have the dramatic coastline ocean views. May 4, 2021. 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. Really friendly owners, a large breakfast, and a good location, close to the waterfront. If there's an untouched beach, an up-and-coming city, or a recently-discovered travel hack, you can bet that we've already written about it. Day 2: Cheriton to Petersfield 13 miles Camping at Wetherdown Camping (Droxford Rd, East Meon, Petersfield, Hants, GU32 1HR) close to the trail. Eastbourne:Albert & Victoria B&B I mostly stayed here because the the rooms looked so old fashionedthat I thought it was funny. This combination is tough underfoot and acts as a meat tenderiser on your soles. But nothing steep or too big. 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. Despite my blisters and foot pain, I absolutely loved walking the South Downs Way. the south downs way is beyond miserable . 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. Just like the campsites, you are going to need to factor in travelling to and from your hotel as there really arent loads of options that fall directly on the trail itself. In terms of difficulty, our guidebook suggested the South Downs Way is one of Britain's easiest National Trails. The Shoe Inn, the village pub, is a friendly welcome on the South Down's Way. Legally you are not allowed to camp on the South Downs. We started on the 8th July and it landed us with wonderful sunshine. Hotel in East Meon. I remember reading Wild and deciding I was going to walk the PCT, too. Hi Bex, love your website and specific detail on the South Down Way. But maybe not quite 20 mile days! Start/finish: Plough and Harrow, Litlington . The South Downs Way Is Beyond Miserable FOR SALE!. And same! It also means you only need to carry a day pack with you. / the south downs way is beyond miserable. Breakfast available to purchase on site), Day 7: Rodmell to Alfriston (10 miles)Staying at: Wingrove House (170 for 2 people including breakfast). Theres great recommendations on pubs to eat in, perfect lunch stops along the way, and accommodation to stop off at. japanese mythology quiz; spanish slang for girl Best known for the South Downs Way, this 160km (100 mile) route from Winchester to Eastbourne offers stunning . Walking conditions are reasonably easy due to the fast draining chalk, though some sections are steep. Day two: 39 miles to Petersfield (36 miles on the trail). Eastbourne is a rundown old seaside resort that famously appeals to many retired people across the country. Butser Hill is the highest point along the trail at 270 metres. It'. They were so comfortable! South Downs: England's Mountains Green. the south downs way is beyond miserable. My shoes! Not all rides need to be on the path . National Trails are long-distance footpaths, with distances ranging from 79 miles on the Yorkshire Wolds Way to a whopping 2,795 miles[!] For starters Im terrified of spiders and hopelessly squeamish. The accommodation recommendations below are as close to the trail as possible. Is Rishi Sunaks Brexit deal all its cracked up to be? If planning to eat out, there are many South Downs Way pubs to enjoy along the way. You can also ride the route on a horse! When riding the South Downs Way, you may wish to stop over at a horse-friendly B&B or find a livery yard for the evening. The chalk downland provides good going even after rain. the south downs way is beyond miserable. I wanted to start with a brief introduction to give this guide context. To my great surprise, it wasnt my blisters that held me back, but the acute aching in the soles of my feet. Best wishes. This is Aalto. We met just three other people that were walking the entire distance, although there were dozens of other people out on day hikes. Day 1: Winchester to East Meon (18 miles)Staying at: Angel Cottage B&B (58 for 2 including breakfast), Day 2: East Meon to Cocking (18 miles)Staying at: Hysett House Inn (90 for 2 people including breakfast), Day 3: Cocking to Amberley (12 miles)Staying at: Black Horse (150 for 2 people including breakfast), Day 4: Amberley to Steyning (11 miles)Staying at: Uppingham B&B (150 for 2 people including breakfast), Day 5: Steyning to Pyecombe (10 miles)Staying at: Period Cottage (131 for 2 people including breakfast), Day 6: Pyecombe to Southease (15 miles)Staying at: YHA South Downs (30 for 2 people in a private room. May 29, 2022 in new york v united states quizlet. Dave, it's fair to say, has thought of everything. And if there werent? For this reason, spring and autumn are considered the best times to hike, although really you can do the walk all year round. Ultra hikers and runners often cover the distance in a 2-day 100mile challenge (hats off to them!). On one day, I walked the vast majority of the path alone. Hope that makes sense. There is a baggage transfer option if you are keen on walking the South Downs Way without having to carry your bag. 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. Your email address will not be published. Did you see anybody doing it while you were walking? There was an-suite bathroom, an exceptionally comfortable bed, and a pub just a few metres away. However, because most of the trail follows the top of a ridge, most accommodation options are down in the valleys below, requiring an extra mile or so of hiking to and from the trail. 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. It runs for around 100 miles from Winchester in Hampshire to Eastbourne in Sussex. It is, however, absolutely overpriced, as Osprey recently discontinued it. At the time we were living in London and this made it easy to get to and from the start via public transport. You should take away any toilet paper that you use. Open access downland. 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. Fun fact: several years ago, I attempted to walk the length of Hadrians Walland ended up having to drop out on day three. Day 3: Petersfield to Chichester 19 milesCamping at New House Farm (New House Lane, East Dean, Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 0NJ). I did wonder if there are many shops on route to enable me to re-stock. 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. Using the Plan Your Visit tool on the National Trail website you are able to locate accommodation offering stabling along the South Downs Way under the Equestrian Information tab. the south downs way is beyond miserableduck jerky dog treats recall. 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. The South Downs National Park welcomes visitors from across the country, and the world to experience its natural wonder, far-reaching views and endless skies (on a good day of course!). Special Places to visit in the South Downs . Up there you'll find the most [] Merrell are king when it comes to long-distance walking, and I decided on the Merrell Accentor shoes for this walk. Horse riding in the South Downs National Park: A guide to horse riding in the South Downs Way National Park and along . 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. 8 days is a reasonable target for most people with reasonable fitness . Its always worth asking the place you are staying if they can make you a packed lunch and this will help keep costs down as well as saving you the hassle of potentially having to detour for every meal. That could, of course, be because cyclists travel faster so were more likely to overtake us. Trailblazer guides are so good for walking in the U.K.! Alternatively, hop aboard one of the Breeze up to the Downs buses, a network of three bus services linking Brighton with some of the most popular South Downs destinations close to the city . Follow me on Facebook, TwitterandInstagram. But as anyone who has tried wild camping and a self-contained hike knows, there is some satisfaction to being out in the elements overnight.even if it does mean getting a bit wet! Day 6: Alfriston to Eastbourne (13 miles)Staying at: Albert & Victoria (77 for 2 including breakfast.an AMAZING hotel!!). There are stunning, panoramic views to the sea and across the Weald as you travel the 100 mile length of the South Downs Way from Winchester to Eastbourne, culminating in the impressive chalk cliffs at Seven Sisters. The hospices of Sussex are dedicated to providing specialist end-of-life care. South Harting:The White Hart We loved the White Hart! Thanks for sharing! The South Downs Way runs for 100 miles from Winchester to Eastbourne. Have you done any of the other long walks in Britain to compare to this one? But now added to that list are wheelchair users and off-road buggies. Ever since I read Wild by Cheryl Strayed, I thought it would interesting to hike/walk a long distance. License: CC BY-SA 3.0. As I mentioned at the start of this post, the South Downs Way is regarded as one of the easiest of the 16 National Trails. The many hundreds of miles of single track and bridlepaths spurring from the South Downs Way the trail and National Park means it is not only a haven for horse riders but a mecca for Mountain Bikers. The South Downs Way is a long-distance footpath that winds its way from historic Winchester to Eastbourne in Sussex. - Daniel Pipes. If you are planning on doing the SDW all in one go, then you will need to arrange accommodation that offers appropriate food and water for your horse. The pubs can be a little pricey and can get booked up in the busy season (mostly summer holidays) so you may want to make reservations in advance. It runs for around 100 miles from Winchester in Hampshire to Eastbourne in Sussex, with a small loop around Eastbourne. There arent a huge amount of shops en route. Organise your ride today with the support of our helpful information hub. I used to spend family holidays at the seaside in the U.K., so it filled me with a certain amount of nostalgia. We ended up feeling envious of the riders on every downhill then smug during every climb! I also invested in an Osprey reservoir to slip inside it. We already owned all the gear we needed.Travel 53Accommodation 0Food 27TOTAL 80. I am a NYer and love walking everywhere so this has made be consider a new vacation option! Most of the places were happy to fill our bottles for free. Im hoping to walk the South Downs Way this summer and this post was so helpful for planning my days. 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