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Recommended Walking Itineraries
There is no better way to escape the pressures and stresses of modern life than to get out walking in the beautiful South Downs countryside. The South Downs National Park offers some fantastic walking, including the South Downs Way of course, stretching 100 miles from Winchester to Eastbourne. As the path stretches on for 100 miles it's really important to plan your journey and research where you will be staying before you travel. This way you can be booked into hotels and/or B&B's along the way at intervals to suit your pace.
You can walk the South Downs Way in either direction, heading east from Winchester to Eastbourne or vice-versa. Both are great experiences but we would probably recommend starting in Winchester and finishing in Eastbourne. That way, the prevailing wind should be at your back most of the way and nothing beats the spectacular finish over the Seven Sisters and Beachy Head into Eastbourne.
If you prefer something a bit less taxing, or only have a couple of hours to spare, we’ve put together some of our favourite short walks within the South Downs National Park ranging from 3-7 miles (1-3 hours) and all include one of our favourite pubs at the end or nearby so you can go for a stroll in some beautiful countryside and look forward to a nice pint of ale, glass of wine or even a spot of lunch or dinner at the end of it!
We give detailed, easy to follow instructions and tell you what it is about these particular walks and pubs that we love. We tell you how many miles each leg is and what the highlights are along the way, so you can pick and choose your favourites. We are sure that you will love these pub walks every bit as much as we do! We have also put together some great nature and history short walks so that you can explore the natural and cultural heritage this area offers.
Here's a brief description of the itineraries but if you click 'More Information' you'll find out full details of the itinerary so you can learn about the highlights of each sector and what to look out for. Visit the destination guides to get loads of information about the towns and villages including pubs, hotels and activities.
- Area: South Downs Way
This should only be attempted if you are very fit and short on time. It involves 5 very long days so won’t give you much of a chance to look around the towns and villages you are staying in or take time to stop at some of the highlights en route.
- Area: South Downs Way
This is suitable for anyone with a good level of fitness but there are three very long days. To really make the most of the wealth of things to see and do along the way, we’d recommend taking an extra day or two if you can spare it.
- Area: South Downs Way
This is suitable for anyone with a good level of fitness but there are some very long days. To really make the most of the huge variety of things to see and do along the way, we’d recommend taking an extra day or two if you can spare it.
- Area: South Downs Way
This is suitable for anyone with a decent level of fitness. There is one very long day but generally this will allow you to enjoy your surroundings and have a little time to explore the towns and villages you are staying in.
- Area: South Downs Way
This is suitable for anyone with a decent level of fitness. There is one very long day but generally this will allow you to enjoy your surroundings and have a little time to explore the towns and villages you are staying in.
- Area: South Downs Way
This is ideal if you want to take things at a steady pace with no very long days. This will allow you to really enjoy your surroundings and have some time to explore places of interest along the way.
- Area: Downs Link Path
A 37-mile path from St Martha’s Hill near Guildford in Surrey to Shoreham in West Sussex, linking the South and North Downs taking in beautiful countryside, river views and historical houses.
- Area: Hangers Way, Hampshire
A 21-mile long distance walk in Hampshire from Alton to Queen Elizabeth Country Park, Petersfield. It is broken down into eight sections to you can enjoy this as several days out or a long distance walk.
- Area: St Swithun's Way, Hampshire
A 34-mile long distance walk from Winchester in Hampshire to Farnham in Surrey.
- Category: Pub Walk
A 6 mile walk so should take anything between 2-3 hours. There are a couple of steep climbs but it’s mostly easy going. We love the variety of this walk, including fantastic views of Arundel Castle and out to sea.
- Category: Nature Walk
This is a very easy walk of around 3.5 miles which should take around 1.5 hours. It’s mostly flat with a good variety of scenery and with Burton & Chingford ponds there’s the perfect habitat for lots of wildlife.
- Category: Pub Walk
A 5.5 mile walk with quite a few hills so should take anything between 2-3 hours. There’s a long steep climb to get on to the Downs and then quite a few shorter climbs along the South Downs Way.
- Thanks To: West Sussex County Council
On a clear day there are wonderful views looking north towards Petworth and the hills around Haslemere along the whole of this walk. The walk is entirely along public footpaths over very quiet private tarmac roads and generally level.
- Category: Pub Walk
If you want to see some of the very best scenery in the South Downs we’d recommend this walk! There’s a long and at times quite steep climb to get up on the Downs but the spectacular but once you’re up there, it’s mostly flat or downhill.
- Thanks To: B Footloose
A delightful walk across the South Downs incorporating parts of the South Downs Way, takes in spectacular views and gives you the opportunity to visit some of the delightful villages in this area. Begin at Cocking Hill car park, off the A286.
- Thanks To: B Footloose
Starting from the White Horse in Sutton, this circular walk visits Bignor Park, a part of the Nyetimber Vineyard, the Roman Ruins and affords spectacular views of the downs.
- Thanks To: East Sussex County Council
A generally easy walk with gentle hills and some stiles, starting from Berwick station and heading to Arlington Reservoir taking in beautiful scenery along the way.
- Thanks To: East Sussex County Council
An easy walk along country lanes and across fields with a few stiles, starting from the Lamb Inn in the centre of Ripe village.
- Thanks To: West Sussex County Council
Following the route of an old railway line from Chichester to West Dean, the path's name is based on the fact it crosses the course of a Roman road. Sculptures relating to aspects of local history are provided as points of interest.
- Thanks To: West Sussex County Council
This walk is all on tarmac road with little traffic, through Arundel Park which was laid out in 1787, by the 11th Duke of Norfolk.
- Thanks To: Hampshire County Council
A three mile circular walk visiting local nature reserves managed by Hampshire County Council as well as land owned by the Woodland Trust and the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust.
- Thanks To: Hampshire County Council
A four mile walk from The Deer's Hut public house in Liphook with spectacular views taking in plenty of wildlife and historical sites along the way.
- Thanks To: Hampshire County Council
This little loop starts at the back of the Selborne Arms. Along the walk, you may catch glimpses of roe deer, buzzards getting mobbed by crows, various water fowl, if you're really lucky, a kingfisher darting along the river.
The best days out...
Relaxing Days Out Adrenaline Activities South Downs History Nature & Oudoor Activities Family Days Out Romantic Breaks
