Quick Link for South Downs Way Walking Holiday

South Downs Way walking holiday in UK with Lets Go Walking

The South Downs Way
Walking Holiday in Southern England
from Winchester to Eastbourne
in 11 days
10 nights and 9 days walking
Day by Day Itinerary

South Downs Way walking holiday in UK with Lets Go Walking

South Downs Way walking holiday in UK with Lets Go Walking

South Downs Way walking holiday in UK with Lets Go Walking

South Downs Way walking holiday in UK with Lets Go Walking

South Downs Way walking holiday in UK with Lets Go Walking

This 100 mile walking holiday is along the South Downs Way from Winchester to Eastbourne.

This is one of our Southern England Walking Holidays, and also one of our National Trail Walking Holidays.

Walking holiday on South Downs Way with Let's Go Walking

South Downs Way
Walking Holiday in Southern England
from Winchester to Eastbourne and The English Channel
via Amberley, Steyning and Alfriston

The South Downs Way walking holiday is 100 miles long and is on one of UK’s National Walking Trails. The South Downs Way walking holiday begins at Winchester and follows the South Downs to Eastbourne through on of the UK’s newest National Parks. The South Downs Way walking holiday is clearly way-marked to provide reassurance on your walking holiday in Southern England.
This is a popular walking tour, so we have carefully selected comfortable accommodation to ensure you are well rested each night after a busy day hiking and sightseeing.

The South Downs Way walking holiday connects with:

Our self-guided walking holidays are designed with your comfort and enjoyment in mind and can be tailor-made to your own personal requirements.

The routes are clearly way-marked to provide reassurance on your hiking vacation.

We use a selection of guest houses, inns or small hotels with en-suite or private bathroom to ensure you are well rested each night after a busy day hiking and sightseeing. Rest assured that all our accommodation walking holiday providers are hand-picked and offer you that famous British hospitality.

Special diets can be catered for, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free.

We organize the luggage transfer so your bags are at your next accommodation when you arrive. We try to get your bags delivered by 4pm, but this may be delayed due to road conditions.

Let’s Go Walking has developed one of the largest selection of walking holidays.
Our offices are staffed 9am to 9pm during our walking season (March to September) to ensure your walking holiday runs without a hitch.

All our walking holidays are self-guided and you must be a confident map reader and able to navigate from a compass bearing.  The weather in the UK and Ireland can change quickly effecting visibility and underfoot conditions. It is important to carry a selection of clothing with you on your hike each day to cope with changing weather conditions. If you are not confident of completing any days walk, do not set out.

This walking holiday in the UK operates March to September and in either direction.

The daily distances are only a suggestion. If you would like to walk longer or shorter distances, we can arrange that too.
Our stated distances include mileage to the accommodation or pickup point and so may not agree with the guide book mileages.
Rest days can be taken in any location.

Why not combine this walk with a hiking tour in another part of the UK or Ireland. Our staff will be happy to advise on necessary transfers.

Online booking available.
A deposit of £85 per person is required to secure the booking, with the balance due 6 weeks before departure.
Optional extra days and accommodation upgrades can be added during the booking process online.
Please wait for the confirmation of your holiday before making final travel plans just in case your holiday is not available for your requested date.

South Downs Way Walking Holiday
Winchester to Eastbourne
Suggested Tour Duration
:
10 nights, 9 days walking
Total Distance:
100 miles/160 kms
Min/max daily distance:
7/13 miles
Average Daily distance:
11 miles
Grading:
Easy/Moderate
Features:
Winchester Cathedral
South Downs
Devil’s Dyke
Ditchling Beacon
Seven Sisters
Beachy Head
This route connects with:
Clarendon Way
Pilgrims Way

  South Downs Way Walking Holiday
in Southern England
from Winchester to Eastbourne on The English Channel
10 nights and 9 days walking
Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive at Winchester

To start your South Downs walking holiday you make your own way to Winchester. We can assist with coach or train transfers if necessary. Car parking is available for the duration of your South Downs Way self-guided hiking vacation. This historic city has much to explore, including the fine Cathedral, the Great Hall and Queen Eleanor’s Garden, The Hospital of St Cross, Winchester College, Winchester City Mill, The Gurkha Museum, and The Military Museums. In fact, so much, why not take an extra day.  The South Downs Way connects with the Pilgrims Way and Clarendon Way in Winchester.

South Downs Way walking holiday in UK with Lets Go Walking

Optional Day in Winchester
Take an extra day to explore the interesting city of Winchester.

South Downs Way walking holiday in UK with Lets Go Walking

Day 2: Winchester to Exton        12 miles

The hiking trail heads out of Winchester and soon enters the rolling Hampshire countryside. The South Downs Way passes through the village of Chilcomb with a traditional village green and fine thatched cottages. The hiking trail soon reaches Beacon Hill, a National Nature Reserve offering fine views towards Old Winchester and the Meon Valley.

Day 3: Exton to Clanfield        8 miles
Walking on from Exton the South Downs Way passes one of the finest Iron Age hill forts in southern England and offers superb views; on a clear day the Isle of Wight can be seen. The hiking trail soon reaches the highest point on The South Downs Way, the National Nature Reserve at Butser Hill, an area of chalk grassland. Accommodation is limited so it may be necessary to walk a little off route to Petersfield for your overnight stay.

South Downs Way walking holiday in UK with Lets Go Walking

South Downs Way walking holiday in UK with Lets Go Walking

Day 4: Clanfield to Cocking       15 miles     
Hiking on through the Queen Elizabeth Country Park the South Downs Way follows the top of the South Downs escarpment. At Harting Down the hiking trail enters a landscape where there are fewer trees offering fine views of the surrounding area, then the hiking trail descends via Beacon Hill and the Monkton Estate to Cocking Down. After reaching Warren Bottom it’s a short distance to the village of Cocking which is only just off the trail.

Day 5: Cocking to Amberley               12 miles     
Walking on from Cocking the South Downs Way soon follows a chalk lane back to the top of the South Downs escarpment. The hiking trail passes through the two nature reserves of Heyshott and Graffham Downs. Before reaching Bignor Hill the route crosses Stanes Street, an old Roman road dating back to 500AD. Before reaching the charming village of Amberley the hiking trail enters the Arun Valley.

South Downs Way walking holiday in UK with Lets Go Walking

South Downs Way walking holiday in UK with Lets Go Walking

Day 6: Amberley to Steyning/Bramber              13 miles

Today’s hike starts with a fairly easy walk along the top of the downs with fine views over the swampy landscape of Amberley Wild. The trail then leads to the top of Chanctonbury Hill and its iconic ring of beech trees. The views are far reaching to the English Channel. Today’s walk end at the downland villages of Steyning or Bramber with its beautiful old buildings.

Day 7: Steyning/Bramber to Pyecombe              7 miles
You hike along the level escarpment of the Downs to Devil’s Dyke, with great views in all directions. A short walk takes you to Pyecombe for your overnight stop.

South Downs Way walking holiday in UK with Lets Go Walking

South Downs Way walking holiday in UK with Lets Go Walking

Day 8: Pyecombe to Lewes            10.5 miles

After Pyecombe, you walk past the intriguing Jack and Jill windmills to Ditchling Beacon, then continue along the edge of the escarpment to Lewes.

Optional Day in Lewes:
Take an extra day to explore the interesting town of Lewes with its fine castle and interesting selection of shops and resturants

Day 9: Lewes to Alfriston         12 miles

After crossing the River Ouse you hike back onto high ground and continue along the crest of the escarpment, with the high point being Firle Beacon. Then the path drops steadily down the Alfriston, one of the prettiest villages on the South Downs Way, with its higgledy-piggledy Tudor wood-beamed houses.

South Downs Way walking holiday in UK with Lets Go Walking

South Downs Way walking holiday in UK with Lets Go Walking

Day 10: Alfriston to Eastbourne       11 miles

Today’s walk is possibly the highlight of the whole of the South Downs Way. The day’s walking starts with following the Cuckmere Valley down to the coast, then along the top of the Seven Sisters, a line of chalk cliffs, to Birling Gap and Beachy Head. Then all too soon you find yourself in Eastbourne

Optional Day(s) in Eastbourne:
There is so much to see in Eastboure and the surrounding area that it is worth spending an extra day/s to take in the beach and explore.

Day 11: Depart after breakfast
Depart after breakfast or extend your holiday walking and spend some time exploring  the Eastbourne area.
We can transfer you to your car or station.

Please note the following events take place at Goodwood:
Goodwood Festival of Speed will take place from Thursday 11th to Sunday 14th July 2024.
The Qatar Festival (Gorious Goodwood) will take place from Tuesday 30th July to Saturday 3rd August 2024.
Goodwood Revival usually takes place at the beginning of September. The dates for 2024 to be announced.
These events affects the availability of accommodation in the area of Goodwood and our ability to deliver your luggage (days 4 and 5 of the itinerary). 
Therefore when booking your walking holiday on the South Downs Way we suggest you avoid these dates.

South Downs Way Walking Holiday
from Winchester to Eastbourne
11 day itinerary
9 days walking and 10 nights

Suggested Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive at Winchester
Optional Day: extra day in Winchester
Day 2: Winchester to Exton                    12 miles
Day 3: Exton to Clanfield                          8 miles
Day 4: Clanfield to Cocking                     15 miles
Day 5: Cocking to Amberley                    12 miles
Day 6: Amberley to Steyning/Bramber   13 miles
Day 7: Steyning to Pyecombe                    7 miles
Day 8: Pyecombe to Lewes                   10.5 miles
Optional Day in Lewes
Day 9: Lewes to Alfriston                        12 miles
Day 10: Alfriston to Eastbourne               11 miles
Optional Day: extra day in Eastbourne
Day 11: Depart after breakfast

Prices per person for South Downs Way
11 day itinerary 10 nights
Double or Twin
Occupancy
Single Occupancy
travelling with others
Solo
Traveller
2024£1,300£1,890£2.090

All prices subject to change

Extra nights from £55 per person depending on location

Optional Accommodation Upgrades for
South Downs Way
Walking Holiday
Winchester to Eastbourne

Can be added when booking online

Subject to availability              Supplement per person per night

Winchester
Wykeham Arms

double/twin
£69.00

Single
please ask

Winchester Hotel

£54.00

please ask

Warnford  (for Exton)
George & Falcon

double/twin
£15.00

Single
please ask

Bramber
Old Toll Gate Hotel

double/twin
£23.00

Single
 please ask

Lewes
White Hart Hotel

double/twin
£23.00

Single
 please ask

Alfriston
Deans Place Hotel

double/twin
£41.00

Single
 please ask

Star Inn

£41.00

please ask

Eastbourne
Cavendish Hotel

double/twin
£49.00

Single
 please ask

Grand Hotel

£85.00

please ask

Lansdowne Hotel

£56.00

please ask

What’s included
in your South Downs Way Walking Holiday
in South England

  • accommodation at high quality guest houses, inns or small hotels on a bed and breakfast basis
  • room with en-suite or private bathroom, tea and coffee making facilities
  • daily luggage transfer
  • support should there be any problems on route
  • detailed itineraries
  • OS 1:25,000 map
  • guide book to The South Downs Way

Optional Extras
for your South Downs Way Walking Holiday in South England

  • upgrade to the region’s most elegant, prestigious and famous hotels, where available
  • transfers back to car or station
  • parking facilities
  • rest days
  • inn to inn walks
 

What’s not included
in your South Downs Way Walking Holiday in South England

  • lunches and dinners
  • travel insurance

Lunches and Dinners
These are not included.
Evening meals
These are available at overnight locations, either at your accommodation or in the town/village.
Packed lunches
These can be provided by your accommodation or can be obtained from a local store, or cafe or inn along the route.

Holiday Travel Insurance
We require that you take out holiday insurance as Let’s Go Biking Ltd accepts no liability for the following:
cancellation, personal accident, illness, loss/theft of personal possessions and/or money, and any unforeseen circumstances, especially travel delays.

This is in addition to our existing
booking conditions.

Please contact us if you have any questions.

Our telephone Lines are open 7 days a week.

UK +44 (0)1837 880075
or +44 (0)207 193 1252

March to September 9am to 9pm
October to February 9am to 5pm
US +1 (646) 233-1541
New York 5 hours behind UK time:
March to September 4am to 4pm EST
October to February 4am to 12noon EST
AUS +61 (02) 8006 0182
Sydney 10 hours ahead of UK time:
 March to September 7pm to 7am EADT
October to February 7pm to 3am EADT
CAN +1 (647) 4786251
Toronto 5 hours behind UK time:
March to September 4am to 4pm EST
October to February 4am to 12noon EST
or

South Downs Way Walking Holiday:
How to get there:

  • By Plane  to London, Gatwick, Bournemouth or Southampton where we can arrange transfer to the start of your walk
  • By Car to Winchester area where parking is available
  • By Train/Bus to Winchester or Eastbourne

This 100 mile walking holiday is along the South Downs Way from Winchester to Eastbourne.

This is one of our Southern England Walking Holidays, and also one of our National Trail Walking Holidays.

Walking holiday on South Downs Way with Let's Go Walking