PART 1: PLANNING YOUR WALK
About the South Downs Way
History 9 – How difficult is the South Downs Way 10
How long do you need 10
Practical information for the walker
Accommodation 10 – Food and drink 12 – Money 15 – Other services 15 – Walking companies and baggage carriers 15 – Mountain biking 16 – Taking dogs along the Way 16 – Disabled access 17
Budgeting
Camping 17 – Camping barns, bunkhouses and hostels 17 – Information for foreign visitors 18 – B&Bs 19 – Extras 19
When to go
Seasons 19 – Temperature 20 – Rainfall 21 – Daylight hours 21 – Festivals and events 21
Itineraries
Which direction? 22 – Highlights 23 – Village and town facilities 24 – Suggested itineraries 26 – Side trip to Mount Caburn 27
What to take
Keep it light 28 – How to carry it 28 – Footwear 29 – Clothes 29 – Toiletries 30 – First-aid kit 30 – General items 31 – Sleeping bag 31 – Camping gear 31 – Money 31 – Maps 32 – Recommended reading 32
Getting to and from the South Downs Way
Getting to Britain 34 – National transport 35 – Local transport 37 – Public transport map 39
PART 2: THE ENVIRONMENT AND NATURE
Conservation of the South Downs
Government agencies and schemes 41 – Campaigning and conservation organizations 44 – Beyond conservation 46
Flora and fauna
Trees 48 – Flowers 49 – Mammals 50 – Reptiles 52 – Birds 52 – Butterflies 55
PART 3: MINIMUM IMPACT AND OUTDOOR SAFETY
Minimum impact
Economic impact 56 – Environmental impact 57 – Access 60
Outdoor safety and health
Avoidance of hazards 63 – Footcare 64 – Sunburn 65 – Hypothermia 65 – Hyperthermia 65 – Weather forecasts 66 – Dealing with an accident 66
PART 4: ROUTE GUIDE AND MAPS
Using this guide
Trail maps 67
The route guide
Winchester 68
Winchester to Exton 73
Chilcomb 73 – Cheriton 77 – Exton 81
Exton to Buriton 81
East Meon 83 – Buriton 88 – Petersfield 89
Buriton to Cocking 92
South Harting 92 – Cocking 97 – Midhurst 98
Cocking to Amberley 98
Heyshott 99 – Graffham 99 – Sutton and Bignor 105 – West Burton and Bury 105 – Houghton Bridge 110 – Amberley 110 – Arundel 111
Amberley to Steyning 114
Storrington 114 – Washington 117 – Steyning 121 – Bramber and Upper Beeding 122
Steyning to Pyecombe 124
Fulking 128 – Poynings 128 – Pyecombe 128
Pyecombe to Southease 130
Clayton 130 – Ditchling 133 – Plumpton 133 – Lewes 135 – Kingston-near-Lewes 142 – Telscombe 142 – Rodmell 142 – Southease 144
Southease to Alfriston 148
West Firle 148 – Alciston 148 – Berwick 148 – Alfriston 148 – Litlington 151
Alfriston to Eastbourne (via Cuckmere) 151
West Dean and Exceat 152 – Birling Gap 157 – Beachy Head 157 – Meads Village 157
Alfriston to Eastbourne (via Jevington) 159
Milton Street 160 – Wilmington 160 – Jevington 160 – Eastbourne 165
MAP KEYS 169
INDEX 170
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