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South Downs Way Walking Holidays

Walking the South Downs Way is an ideal choice for a first timewalking holiday in England. A blend of relatively easy walking, beautiful landscapes and delightful scenery along the Downs of Sussex and Hampshire.

South Downs Way Walking Holidays

Walk Information

Nights
3 to 12 Nights
Distance
14.5 to 101.5 miles
Location
Southern England
Difficulty
Moderate – Moderate to Challenging
Season
Apr to Sep
Price from
£675

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From £675 per person
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Highlights

Walking the South Downs Way

Spotting breath-taking nature such as wild orchards, butterflies and poppies en route
Wonderful views across the Weald to the north and to the Isle of Wight in the Solent Estuary
Discovering archaeological monuments including ' The Devil’s Jump ' from atop the Weald
Visiting St Andrew’s Church in Alfriston
known as ‘Cathedral of the Downs’
Exploring river valleys, thatched cottages and charming villages such as Lullington
home to the ‘smallest church in England’
Fantastic views from the flower covered hills of Ditchling Beacon
Arundel Castle, the impressive medieval fortress towering over the River Arun

Key Walk Features

Walking the UK's Newest National Park

Walk the South Downs way for a walk that begins in the historic cathedral city of Winchester and finishes on the dazzling cliffs of Beachy Head above the English Channel and seaside resort of Eastbourne.

Walks in the South Downs feature some of the most distinctive clifftop scenery to be found on easy walking holidays in England, and your walk comes to a close in what some consider to be the most striking section of a spectacular coastal route over the Seven Sisters and Beachy Head - only accessible by foot.

The South Downs Way features taps for drinking water en-route, you can download water refill locations and many other helpful leaflets here.

Celtic Trails has 26 years’ experience providing tailored, quality itineraries for walkers who appreciate good service, comfort and organisation.

Call us today on 01291 689774 for more information on walking the South Downs Way.

National Trails signpost at South Downs Way

Path Walkthrough

Along open top fields and chalky cliffs, The South Downs Way cuts a path through Britain's newest National Park from the cathedral city of Winchester to the sea at Eastbourne. Being one of Britain's newest National Trails, the route is extremely well marked and easy to follow.

The route itself is quite manageable, but not entirely flat. Valleys carved out from the passing rivers of Adur, Arun, Cuckmere and Ouse create a series of steep inclines, notwithstanding one of the routes most distinctive sections to Eastbourne over the Seven Sisters hills. Although The South Downs Way mainly consists of forest tracks and country lanes, as the route progresses walkers can expect wide open field tops, and climbs up along ridges (giving expansive views over the landscape) before descending into the valleys and wooded sections of the National Park.

South Downs Way walk map

Seven Sisters Cliffs South Downs National Park

Choose Your Walk

Our South Downs Way Itineraries

Winchester to Eastbourne

100 miles (160.9 km)

Escape to the South Downs

16 miles (25.7 km)

Key Information

  • Good standard accommodation at a mixture of guesthouses, farmhouses, local inns and B&Bs with en-suite or private facilities wherever possible
  • Breakfast
  • Luggage transfers
  • Personal transfer between accommodation and path that form a part of our standard package
  • Route planning
  • Walk pack including Trail Guide and mapping, itinerary, accommodation directions and route notes, lunch and dinner information, restaurant recommendations and holiday planning details

Customise your trip?

Looking for different mileages or a different number of nights? Please contact us to discuss how our itineraries can be adjusted to meet your specific needs.

Telephone
+44 (0)1291 689 774
Email
walk@celtic-trails.com

South Downs Way Client Reviews

4.7/5 based on 35 reviews

"We loved our walk on the South Downs Way and have already recommended it to friends. Thank you!"

Anon
June 2025

"Efficient - we have everything we needed."

Anon
September 2024

"Celtic Trails are very experienced and well organised. It was much better than other walking holidays and we have booked again to do St Cuthberts."

david joyce
August 2024

"Friendly helpful staff, accommodation is always great. We have used Celtic Trails a number of times now and we have a high level of trust in them."

Mark & Kerry Australia
July 2024

"Very efficient, excellent service + easy to contact"

Jonathan, London
June 2024

"It was on my bucket list to go for a long distance walk in England, the experience was perfect! The South Downs Way was a perfect trail to walk for the first time. We will go again next year!"

Alex and Simone
May 2024

"Celtic Trails not only plans the trip but they are with you the entire way. The lodgings chosen are with the best people I have met. The help I received was truly amazing. The care and concern to make sure I was safe warmed my heart."

Arthur D
May 2024

"Celtic Trails offers a great variety of walks in our favourite part of the world. Super friendly people who are easy to work with."

Mia and Brian Dunn
June 2023

"We enjoyed being able to set our own pace and walk comfortable distances each day. Great way to see the countryside.,"

Richard Semper
June 2023

Hand-Picked Accommodation

Hand-Picked Accommodation: Comfort Along the Way

We seek out the best accommodation of its type available

South Downs Way Walking Holidays

Points of Interest

  • Seven-Sisters-South-Downs- Way

    Seven Sisters & Beachy Head (Eastbourne)

    People come from miles around to witness the most famous (and to some the best) sights of walking the South Downs Way, only accessible on foot. From here, you'll find far-reaching views from atop the ridge at Beachy Head that make for a fitting end to a walk across country path and field.

    The undulating hill walk into Eastbourne is found at the end of all our South Downs Way itineraries (dependent on which direction you take the route). Walkers may want to consider spending an extra day in the seaside city of Brighton.

  • Walking the South Downs Way

    Amberley

    The thatched cottages of the village of Amberley surround an impressive castle, with over 900 years of history within its walls. There are some fantastic examples of country pubs and cafés, and the heritage museum is a firm favourite with visitors to the parish. The picturesque village is sat in a beautiful location, with the looming Amberley mount a fixture of the local countryside scenery.

    The village of Amberley is located on at the midway point of all of our South Downs Way itineraries, let us know and we'll more than happy to plan a rest day among the tranquil surroundings of this most quintessential of English villages.

Customise your trip?

Looking for different mileages or a different number of nights? Please contact us to discuss how our itineraries can be adjusted to meet your specific needs.

Customise your trip?

Looking for different mileages or a different number of nights? Please contact us to discuss how our itineraries can be adjusted to meet your specific needs.

Telephone
+44 (0)1291 689 774
Email
walk@celtic-trails.com

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