The South Downs stretches its rolling hills through most of the south east of England, from Winchester to the coast at Eastbourne
The South Downs Way walking, horse riding and cycle path tracks the landscape with its chalk grasslands, woodland and rivers.
These full and frank independent South Downs holidays reviews are from travellers who have booked directly through our-land.co.uk. They are not edited by us or any of the companies we work with. Find the real story, from real travellers below.
Really enjoyed exploring this area of Britain, which I have never really explored before. Particularly liked Arundel Castle, and as for the breakfasts they were amazing.
(more)
You can trust our-land.co.uk reviews because, unlike many other schemes, reviews can ONLY be written by people who we have verified have been on the holidays. In addition, we don't run these holidays ourselves - our only interest is giving you the best independent advice.
Coming soon!
We’re busy squirreling away behind the scenes to bring you some great content from the South Downs National Park on top tips, things to see and do to really experience the special features of the landcape, what to eat and drink that’s specifically local and – you’ve got it – basically, all the information you need for your super duper South Downs Holidays.
Meanwhile have a look at what we’ve been writing for you on the Our Land blog on South Downs Holidays.
If you’d like to become an Our Land Local Expert and contribute content to the Our Land site, please contact:
The post South Downs Holidays Information appeared first on Our Land.
Our Land…. panoramic views along the coast, largest market towns in the UK, varied chalk and greensands geology and rare Chalkhill Blue butterflies.
Wonderful Walks through Historic Market Towns
For stunning panoramas out to sea on your South Downs holidays travel the South Downs Way from the historic town of Winchester to the spectacular chalk cliffs in Eastbourne. To get the most out of the walk book yourself onto a guided South Downs Way National Trail Walk where an expert team will point out unusual wildlife and uncover bee orchids along the route, while letting you know the history behind the landscape. If you are making your own way along the trail there are plenty of welcoming B&Bs ready to put you up for the night. Moonlight Cottage welcomes walkers with tea and biscuits after a long days trek and prepares a delicious breakfast using eggs from their own hens to help re-invigorate you in the morning.
Inspiring Cycle Routes through verdant Chalk Grassland
Cycling is one of the most popular reasons for visiting the landscape on South Downs holidays. Speed through flat chalk grassland surrounded by grazing sheep and look out for the round-headed flower known as the ‘Pride of Sussex’. For more challenging routes explore the ancient woodland with its grand beech trees and pretty speckled butterflies and follow the crystal clear rivers and coastal trails as oystercatchers, fulmars and wigeons wheel overhead. The South Downs are home to the largest market towns in the UK so make the most of the welcoming communities in Lewes, Petersfield and Midhurst and enjoy a hearty pub lunch in a traditional inn. Self-catering B&Bs are there to look after you – providing bike storage, trail maps, drying areas and puncture repair kits as well as a much-needed friendly smile after a long day cycling!
Fun Activities for all the Family
There are plenty of things to do in South Downs holidays. You can takehorse riding lessons and gently explore the ancient woodlands, greensands and heathland ridges. Country lanes will lead you through bustling market towns to open downlands intersected by deep river valleys. Take part in kite flying over Ditchling Beacon- the highest point on the South Downs. Or, if you are looking for more of an adrenaline rush, enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the landscape by hang gliding or hot air balooning. While you are soaring through the skies keep your eyes peeled for theDowns famous landmarks – spot the chalk Long Man of Wilmington on the hillside and the Clayton Windmills turning in the breeze.
Historic Houses and Ancient Landmarks
Bronze Age barrows, Iron Age hill forts, Saxon and Norman churches, dew ponds, historic houses and craters from the two World Wars help to define the history of behind your South Downs holidays. There is a strong association with well-known writers and artists who have drawn inspiration from this most English of landscapes. One of the world’s favourite English authors, Jane Austen, was born in North Hampshire and you can take a Jane Austen literary tour, exploring the areas which influenced her creativity. Stop off at the church where her father was rector, the quaint villages mentioned in her letters and the country houses where she danced and fell in love. Avington Park Historic House nestled in an unspoilt valley is an unmissable feature of the South Downs landscape. Once described by William Cobbett as ‘one of the prettiest places in the County’ the house boats a spectacular main hall, a traditional library overlooking the manicured lawns and a magnificent drawing room with a gold plasterwork ceiling.
What wildlife can I expect to see?
The varied landscapes on your South Downs holidays are home to wealth of flora and fauna. In the flat chalk downland sheep graze and rare Chalkhill Blue butterflies flutter through the air. Beautiful plant life blooms around you including the Burnt Orchid and Lady’s Tresses. In the greensands of the Western Weald sits Woolmer Forest – the only site in the UK where all of our native reptiles can be found. In the ancient woodland rare wildflowers sprout while Skylarks, Lapwings, Yellowhammers and Grey Partridges swoop between the branches. Otters and water voles scurry along the banks of the clear chalk streams, while breeding colonies of Kittiwakes wheel over the chalk sea cliffs. To get up close and personal with nature book yourself onto a South Downs Farmstay. You’ll be sharing your grounds with clucking chickens, a Tamworth sow called Duchess and friendly dogs, Digby, Lulu and Amber.
The post South Downs Holidays – Things to see and do in the South Downs appeared first on Our Land.
Coming soon!
We’re busy squirreling away behind the scenes to bring you some great content from the South Downs National Park on top tips, things to see and do to really experience the special features of the landcape, what to eat and drink that’s specifically local and – you’ve got it – basically, all the information you need for your super duper South Downs Holidays.
Meanwhile have a look at what we’ve been writing for you on the Our Land blog on South Downs Holidays.
If you’d like to become an Our Land Local Expert and contribute content to the Our Land site, please contact:
The post South Downs Holidays Information appeared first on Our Land.
Coming soon!
We’re busy squirreling away behind the scenes to bring you some great content from the South Downs National Park on top tips, things to see and do to really experience the special features of the landcape, what to eat and drink that’s specifically local and – you’ve got it – basically, all the information you need for your super duper South Downs Holidays.
Meanwhile have a look at what we’ve been writing for you on the Our Land blog on South Downs Holidays.
If you’d like to become an Our Land Local Expert and contribute content to the Our Land site, please contact:
The post South Downs Holidays Information appeared first on Our Land.
Nick Stewart – Independent Tourism Consultant & local expert for the North Wessex Downs AONB and South Downs National Park
Nick has worked in the development and marketing of responsible travel and tourism for the past 5 years, including 3 years spent working on rural community-led tourism development as Brecon Beacons National Park’s Sustainable Tourism Officer. Nick loves exploring, and enjoys helping people plan, develop, manage & market distinctive, sustainable places to visit. He has teamed up with tourism consultant Alison Caffyn to provide product development and training support to tourism businesses in the North Wessex Downs AONB as part of the Our Land project. As well as Our Land, Nick’s other clients include rural responsible tourism charity, Hidden Britain and travel & lifestyle PR agency, Alexandra Marr & Associates.
Nick’s experience has been gained across the private and public sectors, in marketing, PR, product development & appraisal, business development, events development, stakeholder engagement and research.
Nick holds a first class degree in Environmental Science and is finishing up an MSc Responsible Tourism Management. He is also currently completing a Diploma in Event Management as he a particular interest in the power of events to shape a destination’s identity, contribute to community well-being and create local economic development and commerce for local businesses.
The post Meet Nick Stewart… appeared first on Our Land.
Meet Sarah Loftus, Our Land’s Project Co-ordinator
“A firm believer in tourism being a force for good – as long as we get it right!”
Sarah at a recent Our Land member event in the South Downs
I’m Our Land’s project co-ordinator, working for the nine protected landscapes that make up Our Land. I was previously working for the Kent Downs AONB (and this is where I hale from) but before that spent 20 years in the hotel industry and then business travel sector. Through my work I’ve travelled extensively and seen the detrimental effects tourism can have when we get it totally wrong! What is so great about Our Land is its focus on landscape – putting it right at the heart of the visitor experience – usually the very reason why we are staying in that b&b, hotel or self-catering. The business owners we work with love their place and take great pride in sharing it.
The post Meet Sarah Loftus… appeared first on Our Land.
Local expert for the South Downs National Park
Alison has been involved in countryside management and landscape protection since gaining her MSc in Environmental Technology, moving to Hampshire in 1986. She has been specifically involved in the South Downs since 1994 when she took up the post of East Hampshire AONB Officer. In 2005 when the South Downs Joint Committee was formed she took a more strategic role across the Downs. In 2011 Alison moved across to the South Downs National Park Authority as the Rural Economy Strategy Lead. As Strategy Lead she will be responsible for developing policies within the Management Plan which support those elements of the rural economy that help to sustain the special qualities of the Park and support the purposes of designation. Effective farming, forestry, food, drink, tourism, leisure, creative and cultural businesses will all be important elements of this. She line manages Katherine Hale (SDNPA Sustainable Tourism Officer) and guides the Tourism work of the South Downs NPA.
The post Meet Alison Tingley… appeared first on Our Land.
Meet Katharine Hale: Sustainable Tourism Officer for the South Downs National Park Authority
Katharine Hale has been working with tourism businesses in the South Downs National Park since 2009, when she project managed a sustainable tourism project Collabor8. Her passion for tourism development in protected landscapes has resulted in her studying towards an Msc in Responsible Tourism Management. She is keen to support and contribute to the development of a thriving tourism economy in the South Downs, enabling the visitor to connect and learn about the beautiful landscape and cultural heritage of the South Downs National Park. In 2012 she became Sustainable Tourism Officer for the South Downs National Park Authority and is now the main contact for Our Land.
The post Meet Katharine Hale… appeared first on Our Land.
Coming soon!
We’re busy squirreling away behind the scenes to bring you some great content from the South Downs National Park on top tips, things to see and do to really experience the special features of the landcape, what to eat and drink that’s specifically local and – you’ve got it – basically, all the information you need for your super duper South Downs Holidays.
Meanwhile have a look at what we’ve been writing for you on the Our Land blog on South Downs Holidays.
If you’d like to become an Our Land Local Expert and contribute content to the Our Land site, please contact:
The post South Downs Holidays Information appeared first on Our Land.
Coming soon!
We’re busy squirreling away behind the scenes to bring you some great content from the South Downs National Park on top tips, things to see and do to really experience the special features of the landcape, what to eat and drink that’s specifically local and – you’ve got it – basically, all the information you need for your super duper South Downs Holidays.
Meanwhile have a look at what we’ve been writing for you on the Our Land blog on South Downs Holidays.
If you’d like to become an Our Land Local Expert and contribute content to the Our Land site, please contact:
The post South Downs Holidays Information appeared first on Our Land.
