THE SOUTH DOWNS WAY - SELF GUIDED WALKING HOLIDAY The South Downs Way stretches 00 miles from the historic city of Winchester to the coastal chalk hills on the South Coast. Located within an hour from the country s capital city, this National Trail is the perfect escape from often hectic city life. Walk amongst vibrant yellow fields of corn, follow picturesque chalk cliffs and admire traditional thatched cottages with colourful English Gardens on this walk in Southern England. The walk starts in the historic city of Winchester, once the Capital of England, where the cathedral dominates the skyline and draws many visitors. Rolling hills dominate the West section of the walk as you pass through traditional villages with friendly country Inns. Mixed woodland walking and views as far as the Isle of Wight can be seen from Butser Hill, the highest section of the trail. As you head down to the coast the scenery changes with grasslands full of wild flowers and after the climb up Devils Dyke you reach Alfriston with its huge selection of historic pubs. The final section of the walk sees the magnificent chalk cliffs of Seven Sisters and Beachy Head before dropping down to the seaside town of Eastbourne. HIGHLIGHTS Winchester with its attractive Cathedral The viewpoints of Beacon and Butser Hills Wild flowers and butterflies that dominate the trail Devils Dyke a stunning beauty spot carved by glaciers into a deep valley Magnificent chalk cliffs of the Seven Sisters and Beachy Head WHY CHOOSE A SELF GUIDED WALKING HOLIDAY WITH US? Macs Adventure specialise in self guided walking holidays. As passionate and regular walkers we know what makes for an unforgettable adventure and deliver outstanding holidays with every last detail taken care of. Great routes, breathtaking scenery and warm, welcoming accommodation can be expected. Each holiday can be tailor made to meet your requirements. From your first contact with Macs Adventure you will deal with a specialist who knows the region intimately. They help you to make the most of your time with their in-depth knowledge of the route, accommodation and must-see attractions on the way. We supply you with an informative guide book, map and info pack to guide you every step of the way. Your baggage is collected and moved to your next accommodation, leaving you free to enjoy each days walking. In the unlikely event you should require emergency support our office is always more than happy to help with your queries. From the moment you decide to walk this path you can relax and look forward to an unforgettable self-guided walking holiday along one of the easiest and most accessible National Trails of Great Britain. SUMMARY Tour: South Downs Way Code: WESSDW Type: Self-Guided Walking Holiday Price: See Website Single Supplement: See Website Dates: March October Walking Days: - Nights: -9 Start/Finish: Winchester/Eastbourne Distance: 00 miles (0km) Is It For Me? The rolling hills of the South Downs make this walk the ideal escape from city life. Daily distances are sometimes long but only a couple of moderately steep sections are encountered. If you enjoy fantastic views, woodland walking and traditional village Inns then this is the walk for you! What s Included? Accommodation: Hand-picked B&B s, Country Inns and Guest Houses. Meals: A hearty breakfast is included. Lunch and dinner are not included but always available at accommodation or nearby. Baggage Transfer: Door-to-door baggage transfer is included each day. Information Pack: Comprehensive Guidebook and Map will be supplied aswell
DETAILED DESCRIPTION Starting Point: Winchester The Saxon capital of England, Winchester is a charming city full of character and history. The Cathedral remains the largest attraction and at over 900 years old with impressive Gothic architecture it s easy to see why. Winchester is easily reached by train from London in less than h0mins. Winchester to Exton Miles The first stage of the South Downs Way quickly takes you away from the hustle and bustle into the countryside. Chilcomb s thatched cottages and village green are highlights on this first stage. As you climb Beacon Hill National Nature Reserve you are rewarded with views across the Meon Valley to Old Winchester Hill. The route has recently changed and now bypasses the village of Exton. However, a short half mile walk to the south takes you into the village. Exton to Buriton/Overnight in Petersfield. miles ( miles further to Petersfield) Back on the path you quickly ascend Old Winchester Hill where the remains of an impressive Iron Age hill fort can be seen. From here you can see in all directions, explaining the forts strategic military position. Butser Hill follows which is the highest point on the walk with wonderful views across to the Isle of Wight. Shortly after you walk through the woodlands of Queen Elizabeth Country Park before arriving at the village of Buriton. The larger town of Petersfield is around 0 minutes walk off and you can either continue your walk to here (approx miles) or we can arrange a from Buriton to Petersfield. Buriton to Cocking miles Now you are the on high ridge and the next few miles are through woodland offering shade and protection. Once past the turn for South Harting you reach Harting Down where the trees thin out and your views open out again. The path ascends Beacon Hill and then through the wooded Monkton Estate. Cocking Down leads you down to Warren Bottom and a short while after you see signs that take you off the trail slightly to reach the village of Cocking. Cocking to Amberley. miles A chalk lane leads you back to the top of the ridgeway, through Heyshott and Graffham Downs nature reserves, then heading down crossing the old Roman road of Stane Street before climbing up Bignor Hill. The trail enters the Arun Valley and then enters the pretty village of Amberley. Amberley to Upper Beeding miles There is a spell of easy walking today followed by gradual and gentle inclines. The path then climbs steeply to Chanctonbury Ring, an ancient and magical circle of Beech trees. The path descends slowly around the southern edges of the Steyning Bowl valley and into Botolphs. Steyning is about a 0 minute diversion to the north and worth while if you need to replenish energy or provisions. A short while further is the minute diversion to Bramber and Upper Beeding, home for the night for many walkers. Upper Beeding to Lewes. miles An early start is best for this section. Mileage is not excessive but there are a number of climbs. Today you ll need time for sightseeing as you pass many landmarks and beauty spots. The highlight of this section is the glacial valley of Devils Dyke. After Pyecombe you ll see signs for the Jack and Jill windmills which are famous local landmarks and can be seen for miles around. Kingston is only a short climb and a detour of minutes off the trail. Lewes to Alfriston. miles An easy section that passes Rodmell and Southease and then crosses the River Ouse. Back on the escarpment you have coastal views to the south, down to Cuckmere Haven. At Bostall Hill you begin to descent slowly to the picture postcard village of Alfriston with its Tudor Beam cottages, village green, pubs and tea rooms. Alfriston to Eastbourne. miles The last section contains impressive coastal scenery. Saving the best until last, this section takes you through the Cuckmere Valley as the river makes its way to the sea. The Seven Sisters roll away in front of you as you stroll along the cliff tops. The grassy cliff path undulates to Beachy Head a spectacular chalk cliff with panoramic views in all directions. Slightly further on is the official end to the South Downs Way at Meads Village. Eastbourne is a half hour walk from here or if you are feeling weary, a short bus ride. Finishing Point Eastbourne A traditional British seaside town, Eastbourne has many guest houses, shops and restaurants and very well served transport links to London or back to Winchester. If you ve time there is a loop from the town to the East that takes you on the alternate final stage of the trail that starts at Alfriston.
ITINERARIES We offer the South Downs Way in three itineraries but we can tailor make any walk to suit your plans. As the walking is on high ground you will occasionally have to walk down to the villages below for your accommodation but we will provide all the details in your accommodation sheet. ITINERARY: WESSDW Description: For experienced walkers that enjoy a challenge, this itinerary allows you to complete the whole South Downs Way in walking days. Walking Days: Nights: Average Daily Distance: miles to Strenuous Walk to East Meon Walk to Cocking Walk to Washington/ Overnight Upper Beeding Walk to Pyecombe 0. 9... Total Distance 0 ITINERARY: WESSDW Description: This itinerary breaks the walk into slightly more manageable sections, it still includes some long days so previous long distance walking is advisable. Walking Days: Nights: Average Daily Distance: miles 9 Walk to Exton Walk to South Harting Walk to Amberley Walk to Upper Beeding Walk to Lewes Area Description: The full path over Days walking gives you a bit more time to explore the many wonderful sights along the trail. Walking Days: Nights: 9 Average Daily Distance:. miles. 0... Total Distance 0 ITINERARY: WESSDW 9 0 Walk to Exton Walk to Buriton Walk to Cocking Walk to Amberley Walk to Upper Beeding Walk to Lewes Walking Direction Our itineraries and guidebook describe the walk in an West to East direction. Prevailing winds at your back and a finish at the white cliffs near Eastbourne mean that this is generally the most popular way to walk. If however you wish to walk East to West we can arrange this for you. Additional Nights and Extensions Many of our clients choose to add extra nights along the walk to sample more of the wonderful walking and attractions available on this walk. Winchester is a great place for an extra overnight stop before the walk to visit the Cathedral and Amberley and Steyning are both well placed for a mid section break. This can allow extra time to be taken visiting the Castle and Museum and Cathedral at Arundel along the way. Fewer Nights..... Total Distance 0 If you wish to reduce the number of nights we can tailor your trip to your requirements.
Tailor Made Holidays We are always more than happy to tailor our standard itineraries to suit. Just let us know what you would like and we will be happy to arrange tailor made walking holiday. Grade Itineraries on this walk are graded Moderate as the path is on good surfaces with gentle and gradual gradients, other than a few moderately steep sections. The highest point on the trail is only metres reached at Butser Hill and again at Ditchling Beacon. Navigation The route is way marked extensively and clearly. Whilst there are opportunities to take trails off the main path it is easy enough to retrace your steps to return to the South Downs Way. The map and guidebook we provide will help you every step of the way. HOLIDAY INFORMATION Accommodation One of the highlights of this tour is the high standard of the accommodation. We specifically choose the Inns, Guesthouses and B&B s to ensure that you enjoy every minute of your stay. They all offer a warm welcome to walkers, traditional hospitality and delicious local food. We always try and book your accommodation as close as possible to the line of the trail. Occasionally, in busy summer months walkers may need to venture a mile or so off the trail as the availability of quality accommodation can become scarce. Single Rooms If you require single rooms we would be happy to accommodate you although there is a single room supplement payable. Solo Walkers We welcome solo walkers on the South Downs Way although you should of course take extra care in the outdoors when walking solo. A supplement will apply to baggage transfers. Meals A hearty breakfast is included each morning. Lunch and dinner are not included so you are free to choose from the available options. Most accommodations are more than happy to provide a packed lunch - this can be booked on arrival. Dinner is available either at your accommodation or nearby pubs or restaurants. Baggage Transfer Your bags will be transferred from your accommodation as per your itinerary and moved onto your next overnight accommodation. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 0kg per person. Equipment Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes and a day pack. Dogs Unfortunately we are unable to accommodate walkers with dogs as many of the accommodation providers do not accept pets. PRICE AND AVAILABILITY Price Please refer to our website for up to date prices www.macsadventure.com Availability This walking holiday can be enjoyed between March October. Summer is when you ll find most people either on the trail and of course this can affect availability of accommodation. You can start your walk on any date that suits your travel plans and you will find up to date availability on our website. The South Downs Way Path is very popular and accommodation can get booked quickly so it is best to book as far in advance as you are able to. Included Bed and breakfast accommodation in ensuite rooms wherever possible. Door to door baggage transfer. A detailed guidebook, map and info pack. Emergency telephone support from our office in the event of a problem. Excluded Lunches, dinners, snacks and drinks. Travel Insurance. Transport should you need to skip a stage. Entrance fees (where applicable) TRAVEL INFORMATION Getting to Winchester By Air The closest regional airport to Winchester is Southampton. Flybe serve most regional UK airports as well as Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris and other European airports. Further afield is London Gatwick with most international connections. By Rail/Bus Winchester is situated on the South West trains network and is hr from London Waterloo station. Buses run regularly from all over the country to Winchester. From London Victoria Coach station there are daily services with National Express coaches. By Car We don't recommend travel by car due
to the environmental impact but if you do need to drive you can park in the long stay car park in Winchester. This needs to be prebooked in advance through the Winchester parking Office 09. Getting to/from Eastbourne By Air The closest airport to Eastbourne is London Gatwick with most regional UK and international connections. Travel time by car is h 0 mins By Rail/Bus Eastbourne is approx hr 0 by train from central London. Trains depart London Victoria and are very frequent throughout the day. By Car Most on street parking in Eastbourne is pay and display and you cant leave your car overnight. There is a car park at Beachy Head which you can buy an annual parking ticket but spaces are limited. Please contact the Parking Info Office on 0 09 A good source of reference for travel details is the travel line website: www.traveline.org.uk We operate holidays in some of the most beautiful areas of the British Isles and try to operate in an environmentally aware and sustainable manner. We do this by following our M.A.C.S. Responsible travel policy. RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL Minimise Impact & Maximise Benefit Our operating policies, office policies, holidays and tours are all designed to minimise impact and maximise benefit to the environment and local communities. Action & Advocacy We believe that by engaging our team and clients in environmental and community projects we can make a real difference. Carbon & Communities Travel and our business activity does of course contribute to carbon output and climate change. We have put several policies in place to minimise our carbon footprint. Sensitive & Sustainable Macs Adventure has worked hard to ensure that our holidays are sensitive to the community you are visiting and sustainable over the long term. This tour is operated responsibly because: Walking is a low impact method of travel. Tourism is a vital industry in the South Downs and we use locally owned and operated accommodation and suppliers to ensure maximum benefit accrues to the local economy. We build long term partnerships with our local suppliers, encouraging green business practices and pay a fair price for all locally sourced elements of your holiday. We supply detailed pre-departure information to all clients suggesting ways to minimise any negative social or environmental impact. HOW TO BOOK Once you have read all the information in this factsheet or our website, please visit our website or give us a call to confirm availability. You can then book by any of the following methods: Book Securely Online: www.macsadventure.com Telephone: + (0) 0 Fax/Post: Download or request a booking form and post it to Macs Adventure, Speirs Wharf, Glasgow, G 9TH, UK or fax it to + (0) Please don t hesitate to contact us by phone on + (0) 0 or email: info@macsadventure.com if you have any queries and one of our expert team will be happy to help. BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE Financial Security In accordance with "The Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations99" all passengers booking with Macs Adventure Ltd are fully protected for the initial deposit and subsequently the balance of all monies paid to us, including repatriation if required (this insurance will not cover repatriation to the country of origin for the passengers outside of the EU), arising from cancellation or curtailment of your travel arrangements due to the insolvency of Macs Adventure Ltd ABTA Member Statement Macs Adventure Holidays is a Member of ABTA. ABTA and ABTA members help holidaymakers to get the most from their travel and assist when things don t go according to plan. We are obliged to maintain a high standard of service to you by ABTA s Code of Conduct. For more information on ABTA, the Code of Conduct and the arbitration scheme available to you if you have a complaint, contact ABTA, 0 Park Street, London SE 9EQ, tel 00 0 www.abta.com