DDiscover the enchanting South Downs on our walking tour through a timeless English landscape.
Just an hour or so from London, we escape the hustle and bustle and immerse ourselves in the serene beauty of the South Downs National Park. Our carefully curated South Downs Way hiking tour takes us on an unforgettable journey through rolling chalk hills, ancient forests, and historic pathways that have been trodden for thousands of years.
From richly rural Sussex to Winchester, experience the breathtaking landscapes and fascinating heritage that make this region a true gem of England’s countryside.
Following the natural contours of the chalk escarpment and ridges, our route winds through a landscape shaped by time, history, and nature. As we walk, you’ll be treading the same paths used by Iron Age settlers, Roman legions, and medieval traders.
From prehistoric earthworks to medieval strongholds, each step reveals a piece of England’s past.
Perfect for nature lovers, we encounter a diverse range of flora, fauna, and ancient woodlands in one of England’s most scenic national parks.
This is an authentic experience of “olde England”. Enjoy the best of quaint villages, charming inns, and traditional English fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner!
Meet at Petersfield railway station in West Sussex for the short transfer to our hotel in Midhurst. We’ll have a wonderful welcome dinner this evening.
Midhurst, The Spread Eagle
After a short transfer we head straight out onto the South Downs Way walking in the footsteps of ancient drovers as we hike up over the chalk downs on trails that have been used for over a thousand years. After a well-earned lunch in a local pub, we walk down through estate parkland to Goodwood House for a guided tour of the house, the home of the Dukes of Richmond for over 300 years. Afterwards we return to our hotel and then later, go out for dinner in a local gastro-pub.
Midhurst, The Spread Eagle
This morning we walk through Angmering Park where our trail takes us alongside the paddocks of the estate stud farm and through forestry blocks until we join the Monarch’s Way and cross the river Arun before entering Arundel. There, we visit the magnificent Arundel Castle, with its medieval keep, wide courtyard and towering gatehouse. It has been the home of the Dukes of Norfolk since 1483 and they still spend time here. After lunch in the castle restaurant we’ll walk through open fields and woodlands in the estate home park before moving on to our next hotel in Goring-by-Sea.
Goring-by-Sea, The Highdown
Experience the magic of South Downs National Park today, walking on the South Downs Way through open grassland, pastures and woodlands as the rolling round downs extend out in all directions. Lunch is at the remarkable Weald and Downland Living Museum
where we step back in time to see how rural life in South East England evolved from 950AD until the 19th Century. Afterwards we continue to the Uppark estate where a young H.G. Wells spent part of his youth. We’ll tour the National Trust house and stop for a cuppa before transferring back to our hotel. Dinner tonight is in a local pub.
Goring-by-Sea, The Highdown
Today begins with a visit to historic East Meon and its 12th Century church, after which we’ll follow the South Downs Way through stiles and bridle gates to a hill fort dating back to the Iron Age. Walking on, we arrive in West Meon for a late lunch after which we continue to the stunning gardens of Hinton Ampner. There’s time for a visit and a cup of tea before we transfer to our fine hotel just outside Winchester. Before going out for dinner we have a talk from a local historian who sets the scene for our visit to Winchester tomorrow. Dinner tonight is at a pub in the nearby village of Sparsholt.
Stockbridge, The Grosvenor
Greet the day walking through farmland from our hotel. This is followed by a short transit which takes us into the outskirts of historic Winchester, the city of kings and priests, where we enjoy a tour of the ancient Hospital of St Cross guided by one of the resident brethren. After lunch in a nearby pub we walk through the water meadows alongside the river Itchen into the centre of Winchester for a guided tour of the famous Winchester Cathedral, after which there is time to explore this ancient market town before returning to our hotel where we’ll say farewell at a special dinner tonight.
Stockbridge, The Grosvenor
In the morning, transfer to Winchester rail station in time to get the 9:17am train to London Waterloo.
My favorite aspects of the walk were the congeniality of the group, and the Highdown and its location, and the Lainston House.
Some of the cultural elements I found remarkable were the East Meon Church and Hospital St Cross.