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Holidays

Self-Guided Walking: South Downs Way

England
Walk & Trek
Self-Guided
LEISURELY LEISURELY

Discover a wealth of ancient heritage in England’s newest National Park on this self-guided walking holiday along the South Downs Way

Trip Code: MSD8
Holiday Grades
          

Our Holiday Grades Explained

To show the relative difficulty of our holidays, each trip is graded on a scale of 1 to 12, with 12 being the most challenging. Although we have tried to make our grading system as clear as possible, it cannot take into account your personal interests, abilities or experience. If you have any questions about the nature of a particular trip or its suitability for you, please read the 'Is this holiday for you?' section or contact us.

 1 - 3 LEISURELY
1 - 3 LEISURELY

Suitable for most people in good health, holidays at this grade include only limited amounts of activity.

View leisurely holidays
4 - 6 MODERATE
4 - 6 MODERATE

Suitable for reasonably fit individuals, such as weekend walkers and cyclists. There can be the occasional more difficult day.

View moderate holidays
7 - 9 CHALLENGING
7 - 9 CHALLENGING

Physically challenging holidays, where you need to be prepared before you go.

View challenging holidays
10 - 12 TOUGH
10 - 12 TOUGH

Our toughest holidays, involving many long days, often in isolated areas. A high level of fitness and previous wilderness and mountain experience is essential.

View Tough holidays

Self-Guided Walking: South Downs Way

Highlights
  • Discover England’s newest National Park on this self-guided walking holiday in the South Downs
  • Explore ancient sites such as Bronze Age barrows and the Long Man of Wilmington and the city of Winchester, England’s first capital
  • Enjoy beautiful villages, voted to be the most beautiful in England and sweeping views across rolling hills down to the sea
  • Finish at the spectacular white chalky cliffs of the Seven Sisters and Beachy Head, one of England’s most iconic views
  • Extensive route notes, recommendations for local meals, daily luggage transfers and B&B in local guesthouses included in the holiday price

At a Glance
  • Self-guided
  • 7 days walking
  • Average of 24 km per day walking
  • Packed lunches available on request
  • Recommendations for excellent local meals
  • Join In Winchester / Ends Eastbourne

Accommodation & Meals
  • 8 Breakfasts
  • 8 nights Guesthouse
Overview

The only National Trail to lie entirely within a National Park, the South Downs Way stretches from the ancient cathedral city of Winchester, the first capital of England, through to the majestic white chalk cliffs of the Seven Sisters and Beachy Head at Eastbourne.

That’s 100 miles of blissful walking through what both Virginia Woolf and Constable considered to be views that were the grandest in the world. Along the way you’ll discover Bronze Age barrows at Old Winchester Hill, the beacon hills of Ditchling and Firle where fires were lit to warn of the approach of the Armada and the famous Long Man of Wilmington. Add in sweeping green hills, Jack and Jill windmills and villages which are voted to be the most beautiful in England, plus the world-class finish at the stunning white cliffs of the Seven Sisters and Beachy Head, this is a trail that should not be missed.

The trip includes all accommodation, breakfast and full luggage support meaning you can travel light and concentrate on the beautiful scenery and ancient sites.

This is just one of many itineraries we offer including shorter highlight sections between 5 days and 2 days walking. You can also choose to walk the entire 100 miles from between 6 days to 9 days depending on available time or how much you wish to sightsee.

Is this holiday for you?

This is another relatively easy UK National Trail which is clearly way-marked along the length of the path. A good route for a first long-distance walk.

Terrain: Varied - but these are gentle downs and heathlands, not mountains! The path spends most of its time on the south downs, undulating over farmland and through woodlands.

What’s it like unde …

This is another relatively easy UK National Trail which is clearly way-marked along the length of the path. A good route for a first long-distance walk.

Terrain: Varied - but these are gentle downs and heathlands, not mountains! The path spends most of its time on the south downs, undulating over farmland and through woodlands.

What’s it like underfoot? Pretty good. Well maintained paths, tracks, and green lanes throughout, although sections can get a bit muddy in wet weather.

How much up & down? Once up on the Downs, the trail is rolling rather than hilly. It does drop down to the valley floor to visit villages and cross river valleys, followed by climbs of up to 700 ft (200m).  There are some short steeper sections, but they don’t go on forever. The highest point is 886 ft (270m).

Signposting: Generally good.

Navigation: Pretty straightforward. Well defined paths, and good signposting.

Why KE?

We operate this trip in collaboration with our sister company Mickledore Travel, which is also based in Keswick in the Lake District. Mickledore have a long tradition of operating self-guided walking holidays along some of the finest trails in England, Scotland and Wales. Route notes, maps, luggage transfers and bed & breakfast accommodation in the best B&Bs, guesthouses and inns along the way are all included. Recommendations are also made for the best places to find delicious local meals at each night stop.

Mickledore have a near perfect customer satisfaction score (99%), and we have no doubt that you will find their knowledgeable and friendly team able to answer even the most detailed of questions.

Different durations of this holiday are available on request.

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