The South Downs National Park offers fantastic opportunities for life long learning and discovery. With its spectacular and diverse landscape, rich cultural heritage, range of habitats and rare wildlife, there is something for everyone to explore, whatever your age.

The landscape, built and natural environment around you is an unlimited source of wonder and adventure. Learning about it, doesn’t stop when you leave school. 

One of the purposes of the National Park is to help the public understand and enjoy the special qualities of the area. Together with partnership organisations, we are continuously looking at new and interesting ways to do exactly that.

By following the links within this section you can find out a range of facts and figures about the Park, as well as the other 14 National Parks around Britain. You might be interested in how the landscape has developed; what wildlife you are likely to see whilst out walking; where you can glimpse the elusive Adonis Blue butterfly; which vistas inspired the artist Turner or maybe, where to visit Jane Austen’s house.

To help you enjoy your experience and learn more about the South Downs area, we have some ideas for you to think about as you travel, visit or pass through the Park under Themes to Study.

For students and schools, we have educational resources to download, including printable resources, fact sheets and maps. You can even find games, puzzles and crosswords in the FunZone.