A guidebook to 40 circular day walks in the South Downs National Park. Exploring the beautiful chalk hills between Eastbourne and Winchester, there’s something for beginner and experienced walkers alike.

The walks range in length from 8 to 18km (5–11 miles), each is circular and where possible begins and ends at a place accessible by public transport.

• 1:50,000 OS maps are included for each walk
• Detailed information on public transport and car parking
• Highlights include Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters
• Easy access from Brighton and Worthing

CONTENTS

Map key

Overview map

INTRODUCTION

Plants and wildlife of the Downs

Walking on the Downs

Using the guide

Public transport and car parking

Where to stay           

The Country Code

THE WALKS

1           Eastbourne to Birling Gap and East Dean (9½ miles)

2           Butts Brow to Jevington and Friston (7 miles)

3           Jevington to Friston Forest and the Long Man (7½ miles)

4           Jevington to Alfriston and Wilmington (8½ miles)

5           Exceat to East Dean and the Seven Sisters (8 miles)

6           Exceat to the Cuckmere Valley and Alfriston (7 miles)

7           Exceat Bridge to Cuckmere Haven and Seaford Head (6½ miles)

8           Alfriston to The Long Man of Wilmington (5 miles)

9           Alfriston to Bostal Hill, Alciston and Berwick (7 miles)

10        Bopeep to Bishopstone (7½ miles)

11        Glynde to Beddingham Hill, Firle Beacon and Bostal Hill (11 miles)

12        Glynde to Mount Caburn and Saxon Cross (6 miles)

13        Southease Station to Rodmell and Telscombe (7½ miles)

14        Cooksbridge to Plumpton Plain and Buckland Bank (10 miles)

15        Hassocks to the Clayton Windmills and Ditchling Beacon (10 miles)

16        Devil’s Dyke to Edburton Hill and Poynings (6½ miles)

17        Devil’s Dyke to Mile Oak Barn and Edburton Hill (6½ miles)

18        Wiston to No Man’s Land (6½ miles)

19        Findon to Cissbury Ring (7 miles)

20        Washington to Chanctonbury Ring (4¾ miles)

21        Washington to Kithurst Hill (7½ miles)

22        Chantry Post to Myrtle Grove Farm (7 miles)

23        Storrington to Parham Park and Rackham Hill (7½ miles)

24        Amberley to The Burgh (6¾ miles)

25        Burpham to Angmering Park (6 miles)

26        Arundel to South Stoke and Burpham (8 miles)

27        Bignor Hill to Sutton (6¼ miles)

28        Bignor Hill to Slindon (7¾ miles)

29        Duncton to Barlavington and Sutton (5 or 6 miles)

30        Singleton to Littlewood Farm (5½ miles)

31        West Stoke to Kingley Vale and Stoughton (6½ miles)

32        Compton to East Marden (5 miles)

33        Harting Down to Beacon Hill and Telegraph House (5 miles)

34        East Meon to Salt Hill (5 miles)

35        East Meon to Small Down (6 miles)

36        West Meon to Brockwood Copse (5 miles)

37        West Meon to Old Winchester Hill and Henwood Down (9 miles)

38        Exton to Warnford and Beacon Hill (6 miles)

39        Exton to Lomer Farm (6½ miles)

40        Cheriton to Tichborne (6½ miles)

APPENDIX A  Route summary table

APPENDIX B  Useful addresses

APPENDIX C  Bibliography

Seasons

Accessible in all seasons but spring and early summer are best for wild flowers and birdsong.

Centres

Eastbourne, Alfriston, Washington, Storrington, Amberley, Arundel, East Meon, West Meon; and easy access from Brighton, Worthing, Chichester and Winchester.

Difficulty

Walks to suit all ages and abilities; no difficulties apart from some short steep uphill and downhill sections.

Must See

From Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters to the Hampshire Downs near Winchester; villages like Alfriston, Amberley and East Meon; viewpoints like Seaford Head, Bostal Hill, Ditchling Beacon, Harting Down, Beacon Hill and Salt Hill, historic sites such as Cissbury and Chanctonbury Ring and Old Winchester Hill.

April 2024

South Downs National Park Authority address

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