Campsites in the South Downs

Stretching from the River Itchen valley near Winchester to the chalk cliffs of Eastbourne, the South Downs are recognised as an area of outstanding natural beauty and are now protected by National Park status. The landscape varies from rolling chalk downland, ancient woodlands and river valleys, to dramatic cliffs on the Sussex coast. There are plenty of activities and sights to see here, highlighted by the South Downs Way National Trail which runs the length of the park. There is also a wealth of culture and history to be enjoyed in the region’s charming cathedral cities and bustling market towns.

Don’t Miss

• The South Downs Way
• Cissbury and Chanctonbury Rings
• Seven Sisters County Park
• Opera at Glydbourne

Sightseeing

The South Downs National Park has many stunning landmarks and vistas. The most famous of these are the Seven Sisters Country Park , the dramatic cliffs at Beachy Head, the meandering Cuckmere river valley, and the great views from Ditchling Beacon and Black Down.

If you want a stunning introduction to South Downs scenery combined with a hearty slice of medieval history, you can’t do much better than a visit to Arundel Castle in the wonderful little town of Arundel. There are many other great heritage sites in the region including Petworth House, Parham House and Bramber Castle. Bignor Roman Villa is known for its high quality mosaic floors, some of which are considered the finest in the country. Also popular is Goodwood House and Estate, an extensive sport and leisure venue home to some major motor sports and horse racing events.

One of the highlights of the park is its collection of Iron Age hill forts, Neolithic enclosures and prehistoric burial mounds which not only provide a fascinating glimpse into deep history but also offer wonderful viewpoints over the downs. The best of these are Cissbury and Chanctonbury rings, the Trundle, Brow Hill Burrows and Old Winchester Hill. And don’t miss the Long Man of Wilmington, one of the UK’s finest chalk hill figures.

For a spot of culture, head to the cathedral cities of Winchester and Chichester or the market towns of Lewes, Midhurst and Petersfield. If art is what you are after then you can take in spectacular performances at the world famous Glyndebourne, a thriving theatre scene in Chichester, and the excellent Towner Gallery in Eastbourne.

Activities

There is a wealth of outdoor activities on offer in the region. Walking, cycling, horse riding, mountain-biking and paragliding are all very popular.

You can walk, cycle or ride the famous South Downs Way in its 100 mile entirety or it can be enjoyed in more leisurely sections. Kingley Vale Nature Reserve is known for its fantastic old trees and is popular with the mountain biking crowd as well as walkers.

Devil’s Dyke is a wildlife haven great for hikers, mountain bike riders, golfers and paragliders. Subject of some spooky legends, the dyke is enjoyable even in bad weather, when the landscape becomes eerie and the mist rolls in.

Wine making is on the rise in this region and visiting the local vineyards makes for a fantastic day out: Breaky Bottom, Ridgeview and Nutbourne vineyards are all open to the public. Middle Farm is also well worth a visit.

Family Days Out

The South Downs have a real variety of attractions for families. The fascinating Weald and Downland Open Air Museum has nearly 50 historic buildings dating back to the 13th century, all rescued from destruction from various parts of the UK. The buildings were dismantled and transported to the museum where they were put perfectly back together again.

A visit to Arundel Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust gives you the chance to observe a great number of birds and other British wildlife in one of the South Downs’ important natural habitats. If you are after something more exotic, Marwell Wildlife has over 1200 animals and 235 different species. The smaller Drusillas is aimed especially at children aged between 2 and 10 years old and has both wild and domestic animals. Lots of working farms in the region have open days at various times of the year, during lambing season for example.

For those interested in astronomy and science, the South Downs Planetarium is one of the largest planetariums in the UK and offers an awe-inspiring experience for young and old alike.

Getting There and Getting Around

Getting to and around the South Downs by car is not a problem, although the road system is not the best within the park itself. The region is well linked by rails services with some destinations less than an hour from London. National Express runs coaches to the major towns and cities in the area.

The Downlander is an all-inclusive off-peak rail and bus travel ticket which allows you to visit as many places in the South Downs as you like in one day. The ticket is valid on train services provided by Southern and a number of different bus services. You can buy the ticket on the Southern website for about £10. There are also three Breeze up to the Downs bus services run by Brighton and Hove Buses to the region’s most popular countryside destinations.