Henry Stedman is a walker of considerable experience, having hiked in many parts of Europe, Asia and Africa, and he has been writing guidebooks for more than 25 years. He's the author of numerous other guides from Trailblazer including Dales Way, Cleveland Way, Kilimanjaro, Dolomites Trekking, Coast to Coast Path, and co-author with Joel Newton of Exmoor & North Devon Coast Path, Dorset & South Devon Coast Path and Cornwall Coast Path.

The original guide was by Jim Manthorpe, who has also written several other British Walking Guides for Trailblazer.

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