South Downs Way
We walked the whole of the old route from Buriton to Eastbourne in 2018. On Wednesday 12th June 2019 we walked the final section of the South Downs way from Petersfield to East Meon (due to lack of public transport at Exton the final two sections of this walk from East Meon to Winchester were cancelled).
| Date | Description | Travel Arrangements | Distance |
| 23/03/2018 |
SDW 1: Petersfield to South Harting We follow the original pre 1989 route starting on the LDP above Buriton, which we reach by the Shipwrights Way. Pub/picnic at The Five Bells, Buriton. Roger |
Sutton walkers can catch the 09:31 from Cheam (09:29 from Sutton) and change at Epsom. From South Harting we get the 54 bus at 16:15 to return to Petersfield for the 16:48 to London. | 7.5 miles |
| 06/04/2018 |
2 WDS: Cocking Hill to South Harting Picnic only at Hooksway. Note name "2 WDS" intentionally reversed - we were walking east to west whereas other walks were west to east. Roger |
Buy cheap return via Leatherhead to Chichester. Sutton Station at 09:40 for 09:59, then change at Horsham, and arrive Chichester at 11:35. Next take 60 bus at 11:44 from adjacent Bus Station. Return to Chichester on 54 bus at 17:04 from South Harting (pub) or 17:07 opposite Uppark. Late back to Sutton. | 7.5 miles |
| 04/05/2018 |
SDW 3: Cocking to Upwaltham Pub/picnic lunch in Cocking Village then up the hill to resume SDW. No refreshment facilities after lunch until return to Chichester to get train back (late return). Roger |
Sutton Station at 09:40 for 09:59, change for Chichester arrive 11:35. Then 60 bus at 11:44 from Bus Station. | 7 miles |
| 01/06/2018 |
SDW 4: Upwaltham to Amberley A shorter walk but hilly. Continuing along the tops of the South Downs. Bus from Chichester to start of walk. Picnic only, possible pub/cafe at end. Phil |
Sutton Station at 09:45 (for 09:59 train). Return to Chichester | 6.2 miles |
| 22/06/2018 |
SDW 5: Amberley to Washington Eastwards along the South Downs Way from Amberley to Washington, mainly on top of the chalk escarpment. Great views, north to Weald and south to the sea. Buy off-peak day return to Amberley. Picnic only, but pub at end. Chris C |
East Croydon Station at 09:45. Take 09:53 Southampton train from East Croydon to Amberley. Return by bus from Washington to Pulborough Station for train to East Croydon or Sutton (via Horsham). | 7.5 miles |
| 06/07/2018 |
SDW 6: Washington to Upper Beeding Up to Chanctonbury Ring (picnic) then along the top. Possible late back. Roger |
East Croydon Station at 09:10 for 09:33 to Worthing..East Croydon Station at 09:10 for 09:33 to Worthing. Walk to South Street for bus 1 at 11:05 to Washington arrive 11:36. | 8 miles |
| 20/07/2018 |
SDW 7: Upper Beeding to Pyecombe Ascend and along SDW past Devils Dyke then down to lunch at the Wildflour Cafe, Saddlescombe Farm. Yet another hill to reach Pyecombe village and get 270/1/2/3 bus to Preston Park (or Hassocks) to return on same line. Roger |
East Croydon Station at 09:10 for 09:33 to Shoreham by Sea (buy return). Get bus 2 from High Street at 10:55 to Upper Beeding, near SDW. |
7.5 miles |
| 10/08/2018 |
SDW8: Pyecombe to Housedean Farm (A27) Over Ditchling Beacon (possible ice cream stop). Picnic lunch only. At end cross A27 to get 28/9 bus to Falmer Station whence buy single to Brighton (every 15 mins), or stay on bus! Roger |
East Croydon Station at 09:30. Buy Thameslink only return to Brighton and get 09:49 to Preston Park arrive 10:40, then 270/1/2/3 bus to Pyecombe Garage. | 7.5 miles |
| 24/08/2018 |
SDW 9: Housedean Farm (A27) to Southease Mostly walking on top of the escarpment with excellent South Downs views. Picnic lunch. Chris C |
East Croydon Station at 09:15 to catch 09:33 Eastbourne train to Lewes, arriving 10:25 then take 29 bus from High Street to Housedean Farm. Buy day return to Southease. |
7.5 miles |
| 21/09/2018 |
SDW 10: Southease to Alfriston The penultimate walk in our SDW trail. We start by climbing up onto the downs and are rewarded by great views, then modest ups and downs before finally dropping down to the Cuckmere valley. Picnic only but pub at end. Late return home. Phil |
East Croydon Station at 09:15 for 09:33 to Lewes (buy return to Seaford). | 7.2 miles |
| 19/10/2018 |
SDW11: Alfriston to Eastbourne Pub/picnic at The Eight Bells, Jevington in mid afternoon. The inland route but including a walk on the Wealdway to the Roger |
East Croydon Station at 10:15 for 10:33 to Lewes then 11:39 to Seaford a.11:47. Buy a return to Eastbourne c. £16. Coffee break in Seaford then bus to Alfriston at 12:20, arrive 12:33. |
9.5 miles |
| 12/06/2019 |
SDW West: Stage 1: Petersfield to East Meon Follow the Hangers Way to Buriton and up onto the Downs and the Queen Elizabeth Country Park (cafe/picnic). After lunch an ascent of Butser Hill and a traverse of HMS Mercury before descending to East Meon for the bus back to Petersfield. Roger |
Meeting point Sutton Station 09:15 for 09:28 (Cheam 09:31) for Epsom, change onto Guildford train dep. 09:43. Arrives 10:17, change for Petersfield dep. 10:34, arrive 11:03 (new starting time), Buy return to Petersfield. Ramblers who start at Clapham Junction will need to get the 09:52, change at Guildford or Haslemere to join leader's train, or the 09:57 change at Woking to get the same train (departs 10:25). Please note that while the 09:52 goes to Petersfield it arrives too late for the start of the walk - you must change as indicated above. | 8 miles |
| SDW West: Stage 2: East Meon to Beaconhill Beeches Car Park | Not walked as only possible with car shuttle. East Meon car park at SU67712221. Beaconhill Beeches car park at SU59852277. Lunch possible at The Shoe Inn, Exton (No all day parking!). | 7.6 miles | |
| SDW West: Stage 3: Beaconhill Beeches Car Park to Winchester Park and Ride | Not walked as only possible with car shuttle. Beaconhill Beeches car park at SU59852277. Winchester Park and Ride SU48862830. Lunch possible at The Millbury's SU56942461. | 11 miles |