TRAVEL

A Day Walking On The South Downs National Park (UK)

April 28, 2019

If you live in London or nearby and you need an idea of where to spend the day walking through the country side, the South Downs National Park is a place well worth visiting.

South Downs National Park Walks

The South Downs National Park covers 1,600km2 of National Trust rural land with walks through countryside, ancient woodlands, rolling hills and traditional villages. Fancy an easy walk? South Downs Way is perfect for that. If you prefer a longer walk there are lots of pretty villages scattered around the South Downs.

How To Walk The South Downs Way

The national trust path called The South Downs Way starts in Amberley, almost immediately to the left of Riverside Tea Rooms which rests along the river Arun, a perfect place for a full English breakfast before you start your walk.

Follow the South Downs Way sign and you will be walking next to the river Arun through fields, ancient woodland and gently rising hills, until the Riverside Cafe becomes a small dot in the distance. After walking for a couple of hours why not stop for a break and enjoy the South Downs landscape around you.

South Downs Villages

If you are a long walk lover, carry on. Following the path until and you will stumble upon some of the small traditional villages at the heart of the South Downs like West Burton, Bignor and Sutton with well-tended picturesque cottages in a lovely country setting. I recommend the White Horse pub in Sutton for a rest.

Carry on walking towards the town of Coldwaltham, approximately an hour from Sutton until you reach a pub called The Labouring Man (photos below).

From Pulborough you can catch the train back to London which is about 20 minute walk from The Labouring Man. To walk these roads leave yourself plenty of time as not recommended after dark.

South Downs National Park Tips

Spending a day walking on the South Downs is a beautiful escape and a great way to enjoy the British countryside. A train journey, from London Clapham Junction to Amberley, will take you there in just over an hour.