South Downs Way Trailblazer Walking Guide 8e

INTRODUCTION

About the South Downs Way

History 9 – How difficult is the path? 10 – How long do you need? 10

When to go 13 – Seasons 13 – Festivals and annual events 14 Temperature 16 – Rainfall 16 – Daylight hours 16

PART 1: PLANNING YOUR WALK

Practical information for the walker

Route finding 17 – Accommodation 18 – Food and drink 21

Money 22 – Walking companies & baggage transfer 23

Information for foreign visitors 24 – Mountain biking 26

Taking dogs along the Way 26 – Disabled access 27

Budgeting27

Itineraries

Which direction? 29 – Suggested itineraries 29 – Highlights 29

Village and town facilities 30 – Best day and weekend walks 35

What to take

Footwear 37 – Clothes 37 – First-aid kit 38 – General items 39

Camping gear 39 – Money 40 – Maps 40 – Recommended

reading 41 – Sources of further information 41

Getting to and from the South Downs Way

Getting to Britain 42 – Local transport 45 – Public transport map 48

PART 2: MINIMUM IMPACT WALKING

& OUTDOOR SAFETY

Minimum impact walking

Economic impact 49 – Environmental impact 50

Access 52 – The Countryside Code 53

Outdoor safety and health

Avoidance of hazards 54 – Footcare 55

Sunburn, Hypothermia & Hyperthermia 55

Weather forecasts 56 – Dealing with an accident 56

PART 3: THE ENVIRONMENT & NATURE

Conservation of the South Downs

Government agencies 57 – Conservation organisations 59 – Geology 60

Flora and fauna

Mammals 61 – Reptiles 62 – Trees 63

Butterflies 64 – Flowers 66 – Birds 69

PART 4: ROUTE GUIDE AND MAPS

Using this guide 71Winchester 73

EWinchester to Exton79 (Chilcomb 80, Cheriton 81)

WExton to Winchester86(Exton 86, Meonstoke 86)

EExton to Buriton 88 (Meon Springs 91, East Meon 91)

WBuriton to Exton95 (Buriton 95, Petersfield 95)

EBuriton to Cocking103 (South Harting 104)

WCocking to Buriton106 (Cocking 106, Midhurst 107)

ECocking to Amberley109 (Heyshott 111, Graffham 112, Upwaltham 114, Sutton/Bignor 115, Bury 117, Houghton Bridge 117)

WAmberley to Cocking118 (Amberley 120, Arundel 121)

EAmberley to Steyning126 (Storrington 127)

WSteyning to Amberley133 (Steyning 134, Bramber 137)

ESteyning to Pyecombe138

(Truleigh Hill 139, Fulking 140, Poynings 142)

WPyecombe to Steyning143 (Pyecombe 143)

EPyecombe to Southease146 (Clayton 146, Ditchling 147, Plumpton 149, Lewes 150, Rodmell 158)

WSouthease to Pyecombe160 (Southease 158)

ESouthease to Alfriston162 (West Firle 162, Berwick 165)

WAlfriston to Southease168 (Alfriston 168)

EAlfriston to Eastbourne (coastal route)170

(Litlington 170, Westdean & Exceat 174, Seven Sisters Country

Park 174, Birling Gap 175, Beachy Head 176, Meads 178)

WEastbourne to Alfriston (coastal route)178

EAlfriston to Eastbourne (inland route)180 (Jevington 182)

WEastbourne to Alfriston (inland route) 182

Eastbourne 183

APPENDICES

GPS & what3words waypoints 188Map symbols key 191

Walking with a dog 192Distance chart 194

INDEX196

OVERVIEW MAPS & PROFILES198