South Downs Way Walking Holidays
Full 100 mile South Downs Way - 8, 9 or 10+ days
9 Days
= Winchester - Exton/Meonstoke - Buriton - Cocking/Midhurst - Amberley - Steyning - Pyecombe - Lewes - Alfriston - Eastbourne
8 Days
= Winchester - Exton/Meonstoke - Buriton - Cocking/Midhurst - Amberley - Upper Beeding - Lewes - Alfriston - Eastbourne
100 miles in 8 days...
Starting in Winchester the 8 day schedule will involve walking about 12 miles per day until you get to Amberley, you will then have a good 16 miles to Upper Beeding and about 16 onto Lewes. It is then 14 miles to Alfriston and a further 12 into Eastbourne on your last day. We can of course add rest days along the way, Amberley is about half way and gives access to Arundel or indeed a couple of our award winning vineyards!
Winchester to Exton/Meonstoke 12 miles
Exton to Buriton 12 miles
Buriton to Cocking/Midhurst 12 miles
Cocking to Amberley 11 miles
Amberley to Upper Beeding 16 miles
Upper Beeding to Lewes 16 miles
Lewes to Alfriston 14 miles
Alfriston to Eastbourne 12 miles
100 miles in 9 days or more...
Starting in Winchester the 9 day schedule will involve walking about 12 miles per day until you get to Steyning, there are then two short days of about 9 miles each into Pyecombe and onto Lewes. It is then 14 miles to Alfriston and a further 12 into Eastbourne on your last day. If you wanted a rest day, then Steyning or indeed Lewes are perfect for this, the latter in Lewes gives access to the county town and Rodmell for fans of Virginia Wolff.
Winchester to Exton/Meonstoke 12 miles
Exton to Buriton 12 miles
Buriton to Cocking/Midhurst 12 miles
Cocking to Amberley 11 miles
Amberley to Steyning 10 miles
Steyning to Pyecombe 9 miles
Pyecombe to Lewes 9 miles
Lewes to Alfriston 14 miles
Alfriston to Eastbourne 12 miles
The South Downs Way is a long distance footpath and bridleway running along the South Downs in Southern England, and is one of 15 National Trails in England and Wales. The trail runs for 100 miles (160 km) from the ancient cathedral city (and first capital of England) Winchester in the West, through to the white chalky cliffs of the Seven Sisters and Beachy Head at Eastbourne in the East.
The undulating South Downs Way National Trail begins in Winchester and moves past Cheesefoot Head, the towns of Petersfield and Arundel, Steyning then onto Devil’s Dyke viewpoint near Brighton, followed by Ditchling Beacon and miles of chalk downland across to Beachy Head, and finally ending in Eastbourne. Diversions are needed to visit Brighton or Lewes, the latter town being of great beauty with an historic centre. Without exception it is a very well maintained and signposted route. Although the trail crosses various villages for provisions, much of it is surprisingly isolated and quiet considering the density of the population in South-East England. The South Downs Way allows you to experience great views, attractive wildlife, visible prehistory, fine pubs and pretty villages, as well as a challenging walk!!
Three good reasons to book a walking holiday with Footprints of Sussex
Local Knowledge
There is rarely a week goes by when one of us is not out walking somewhere on the South Downs Way. Whether it's meeting people, checking something or just enjoying our own local trail. There is no substitute for local knowledge.
High Standards
We believe that at the end of a great day walking the hills you deserve a little comfort. A warm welcome from a friendly host, an ensuite bedroom and a nearby pub or restaurant with an interesting menu.
Peace of Mind
When the unexpected happens it's reassuring to know that your holiday provider is not far away. And we are a family business where you will have a named contact just a local call away.
What We Include
- High Quality Accommodation
- Shuttles on and off trail where the accommodation is more than 1km away
- Daily baggage transfers
- The ‘Cicerone’ route guide & map book
- Durable, quality baggage labels
- Our own route notes and guides
- Our own pub and restaurant listings
- Peace of mind, knowing we are nearby on the trail,
South Downs Way Specialist
- The B&B’s we use along the South Downs Way have all been personally inspected by us
- We check rooms are available before making a holiday offer
- We are based in Steyning, West Sussex
- We like to personally meet all our guests during their holiday
- We actually walk the South Downs Way ourselves every June
What's it going to cost?
As a guide and based on two people sharing a room:
8 Nights - £825.00 per person
9 Nights - £895.00 per person
10 Nights - £955.00 per person
Want to tailor your holiday?
- How about a rest day in Amberley, Steyning or Lewes
- Or a luxury night at Amberley Castle or The Grand Hotel in Eastbourne
- Maybe take a day to visit one of our award winning vineyards
- Or have friends and family join you for a night or two
- just ask and we'll take care of it
Percy Bysshe Shelley
“The everlasting universe of things flows through the mind and rolls its rapid waves; now dark – now glittering – now reflecting gloom – now lending splendour, where from secret springs the source of human thought its tribute brings.”
