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Where to go in the South Downs

Read our map and highlights page to find out where to go in the South Downs. Cities and towns include Winchester, Chichester, Lewes and Brighton, but train, bicycle or a good pair of hiking boots will take you from the cathedrals and fiercely independent shopping streets to the villages, vineyards and chalk footpaths that dot the South Downs Way.

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South Downs National Park map & highlights

Within easy reach of London and ringed by the towns and cities of Winchester, Chichester, Haslemere, Brighton and Eastbourne, the South Downs National Park is supremely accessible. Arriving and exploring by train is a pleasure, with country views you won’t see any other way except by bike or on foot. There are around a dozen railway stations in the park and many more nearby, plus a decent network of bus routes, particularly on the east side of the park. The A27 and A272 run roughly parallel to the coast and will get you from one region to another fairly speedily. But there are large tracts of land in the heart of the park with nothing but lanes, bridleways and footpaths crisscrossing them – great news for walkers, cyclists and horse riders.

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Our South Downs Vacations

1. Alfriston
2. Arundel
3. Black Down & the Serpent Trail
4. Ditchling Beacon
5. Lewes
6. Midhurst
7. Petersfield
8. Petworth House
9. River Itchen
10. Selborne Common
11. South Downs Way
12. Sussex Heritage Coast

Alfriston

1. Alfriston

Picture a perfect downland village with medieval pubs and cottages, cute tea shops, a splendid flint church and a grassy village green. Got it? That’s Alfriston. Set beside the lovely River Cuckmere, it’s home to the Clergy House, the first property acquired by the National Trust. The South Downs Way runs right through the village, making it a crossroads for walkers, cyclists and horse riders.

Alfriston

Arundel

2. Arundel

You can’t miss Arundel Castle – a muscular display of medieval power, brooding above the River Arun. The nearby Catholic cathedral makes a worthy counterpoint, tall, Gothic and imposing. Together, they dominate the small, but rather grand, market town of Arundel. It was West Sussex’s first Fairtrade Town, signing up in 2004, and is a good place to shop for antiques.

Black Down & the Serpent Trail

3. Black Down & the Serpent Trail

With magnificent deciduous woodlands, swathes of heather and panoramic views, it’s no wonder that Black Down has inspired poets and dreamers – among them, Alfred Lord Tennyson. At 280m, this hill is the highest point in the national park and a highlight of the Serpent Trail, which winds through the heathlands of West Sussex. You can walk here from the attractive town of Haslemere where the Trail starts.

Black Down & the Serpent Trail

Ditchling Beacon

4. Ditchling Beacon

Just seven miles north of Brighton Palace Pier, this stunning hilltop spot, the highest point in East Sussex, has fabulous views and is a good starting point for walks. Brighton & Hove Breeze Buses run up here on weekends and bank vacations. The road from the pretty village of Ditchling is unforgivingly steep – if you ever cycle from London to Brighton, you’ll never forget it.

Lewes

5. Lewes

Modest for a county town, Lewes is an arty, one-of-a-kind place, with great bric-a-brac shops and cosy pubs. It was one of the first towns to join Totnes in the Transition Network, creating its own currency, the Lewes pound, to support local businesses. Its outdoor swimming pool, The Pells, is enchanting in summer and its November Bonfire processions are the biggest and brashest in Sussex.

Lewes

Midhurst

6. Midhurst

This pretty little West Sussex town is the South Downs National Park’s center of gravity. It’s home to the South Downs Centre, a listed building that’s been given an eco-friendly makeover to turn it into an information point and community hub for the park. Inside, there’s an exhibition introducing the landscapes, geology, produce and heritage of the region.

Petersfield

7. Petersfield

Once a staging post for horsedrawn coaches, this handsomely historic town sits at a crossroads between London, Portsmouth, Winchester and Royal Tunbridge Wells. Its market used to deal in livestock, but these days the twice-weekly gathering is all about local flowers, food and household oddments. Secrets of the Heath is a free family event each August, celebrating the wildlife and history of heathlands.

Petersfield

Petworth House

8. Petworth House

Wider than Buckingham Palace and with grounds twice the size of Hyde Park, Petworth House is thoroughly impressive from the outside. But wait till you see the interior. An astonishing art collection featuring works by JMW Turner and Van Dyck takes pride of place alongside extraordinary ornamental carvings by Grinling Gibbons. Helpful guides are on hand to show you every detail.

River Itchen

9. River Itchen

Clear, glossy and just 45km long, the Itchen is one of the loveliest of the National Park’s rivers. Its chalk-filtered water creates a perfect habitat for watercress and wildlife such as water voles, otters, white-clawed crayfish, brown trout and salmon. It curves around the far west of the park and flows through the beautiful city of Winchester before heading south to Southampton.

River Itchen

Selborne Common

10. Selborne Common

Immortalised in the expressive writings of Gilbert White, an 18th-century parson with a passion for natural history, Selborne Common remains a leafy retreat of beech woods and wildflower meadows, home to woodpeckers, whitethroats and rare plants. Managed by the National Trust, it’s free for anyone to explore.

South Downs Way

11. South Downs Way

What could be more satisfying than exploring the only National Trail to run right through a national park? There are loads of short, manageable sections to choose from on the South Downs Way. Cover all 161km, and you can expect a tremendous sense of achievement. People of average fitness can walk its full length in under a fortnight. By mountain bike, it takes two to four days – or just one, if you’re super fit.

South Downs Way

Sussex Heritage Coast

12. Sussex Heritage Coast

The first stretch of British coastline to be designated a Heritage Coast is classic walking country. The South Downs Way leads from the bird-rich bends of the Cuckmere, up over the white cliffs and down to the genteel resort town of Eastbourne, passing the Seven Sisters and Beachy Head, Birling Gap and Belle Tout Lighthouse. Reach it by a scenic bus route between Brighton and Eastbourne or the open-top tour from Eastbourne.

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South Downs National Park Itineraries

Days out

All of these day trips within the South Downs National Park are linked into public transport, either by train, or using bus networks which you can buy a pass for, called the Discovery Ticket. You can read more about the transport options on the South Downs National Park website. As one of the most populated national parks, it is blessed with a convenient combination of public transport networks, which enable you to leave the car at home while still allowing you quick access onto remote hills, wild and windy cliffs, ancient forests, and peaceful river walks.

Best one day walking itinerary

Best one day cycling itinerary

Day trips from Brighton

Day trips from Chichester

Day trip from Farnham

Day trip from Lewes

Travel times in the South Downs National Park

The following times give you a rough idea of the travel times between the main attractions in the South Downs National Park.

London to Petersfield: 1 hour by train

London to Lewes: 1 hour by train

London to Haslemere: 1 hour by train

Gatwick Airport to Lewes: 34 minutes by train

Winchester to Petersfield: 35 minutes by car

Petersfield to Midhurst: 26 minutes (bus) or 17 minutes (car)

Midhurst to Arundel: 30 minutes by car

Arundel to Brighton: 40 minutes by car

Brighton to Lewes: 15 minutes (train) or 20 minutes (car)

Lewes to Eastbourne by train: 18 minutes (train) or 31 minutes (car)

Brighton to the Sussex Heritage Coast: 75 minutes by bus

Havant to Haslemere: 27 minutes by train

Plan your trip with the South Downs National Park’s interactive journey planning tool and Discovery Map.

More about South Downs

Best time to visit the South Downs

When is the best time to visit the South Downs? We have temperature charts, festival dates and – almost as important – tips on when not to go.

South Downs travel guide

There’s far more to South Downs vacations than the hills. It also includes the woodlands of the Weald, glossy rivers and castle towns, and a band of white cliffs. Read more in our guide.

Camping & campsites on the South Downs

If you’re thinking about camping on the South Downs, we know a few secret spots to tickle your tent pegs, from Mongolian yurts to shepherds’ huts.

Things to see & do in the South downs

We lay out our favourite things to do in the South Downs, from walking and cycling along the hilltops of the South Downs Way to exploring Norman villages.

South Downs for families

Family vacations in the South Downs mix old-fashioned fun in the countryside (think camping, conkers and picnics) with new stargazing sites and lively seaside cities.

Walking in the South Downs

Step off the train and onto the South Downs Way – the centerpiece of South Downs walking vacations. Read about hiking the South Downs here.

Best one day walking itinerary in the South Downs

Try our one-day walking itinerary in the South Downs, exploring Virginia Woolf's village escape.

Cycling in the South Downs

Cycling in the South Downs usually means cycling the South Downs Way – a 160km-long bridleway that tops swooping hills and dramatic valleys.

Best one day cycling itinerary in the South Downs

Our one-day cycling itinerary on the South Downs follows a chalky bridleway from Lewes to panoramic Blackcap.

Horse riding in the South Downs

Find out about horse riding on the South Downs, including which riding schools to visit for guided gallops along some seriously scenic bridleways.

Where to go in the South Downs

Find out about places to visit in the South Downs for wildlife, views and accessible trails, as well as the importance of park rangers.

Places to visit in the South Downs

Discover the best places to visit in the South Downs, including castles, cathedrals and churches that have stood the test of time for 1,000 years or more.

Breweries & vineyards in the South Downs

Read about South Downs breweries and vineyards, from flint farms specialising in sparkling wine to the 18th-century Harveys Brewery.

Farmers markets & shops in the South Downs

Read about farmers’ markets and shops in the South Downs, where farm shops and vineyards come fully stocked with local cheese, wine, coffee and chocolate.

Cafes, restaurants & pubs in the South Downs

Many restaurants and cafés in the South Downs are brilliant at finding inspiration from local produce and county recipes. Find out where to eat and drink here.

Festivals & events in the South Downs

There’s a variety of festivals and events in the South Downs National Park that take place throughout the year. Read on to find out more.

Food festivals & events in the South Downs

Food festivals and events in the South Downs are real knees-ups. Read about fiestas in Brighton, harvest in Chichester, and workshops in Steyning.

Dark Skies Festival in the South Downs

Find out why February is fast becoming one of the best times of year for stargazing in the South Downs National Park’s Dark Sky Reserve.

South Downs travel advice

We’ve spoken with our vacation experts to source the best South Downs travel advice, plus our travelers chip in with their packing tips and favourite finds.

South Downs autumn colours

The South Downs National Park is blessed with woodlands, heathlands and downlands from where to enjoy the autumn colours outdoors.

Christmas in the South Downs

From wild winter walks to spooky Sussex stories, find out things to do and where to stay if you’re dreaming of a South Downs Christmas.

Day trips from Brighton in the South Downs

We share our favourite day trips from Brighton. The South Downs is just a 20-minute bus journey away, bringing famous views like the Devil’s Dyke in easy reach.

Day trips from Chichester in the South Downs

Discover our favourite day trips from Chichester, from the ancient holloway at Halnaker to the kid-friendly Weald and Downland Living Museum.

Day trip from Farnham in the South Downs

Read about our favourite day trip from Farnham. Hop on a bus to explore Alice Holt Forest, wander the Shipwrights Way, and zip line at Go Ape adventure park.

Day trip from Lewes in the South Downs

Our day trip from Lewes follows the cycle lane to Kingston. Visit family-friendly Spring Barn Farm or keep on climbing up to the panoramic South Downs Way.

Responsible tourism in the South Downs

Read about how responsible tourism in the South Downs can preserve one of the newest national parks in Europe: the South Downs National Park.

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Written by Emma Gregg

Where to go in the South Downs