6 things to do in the South Downs this Bank Holiday
August 26, 2016
Whether it’s a sunny or a rainy one there’s lots to do in the South Downs National Park this August Bank Holiday…
Get snapping and enter our Photo Competition
This year the theme of our annual Photo Competition, is Building the Landscapes and we’re challenging you to capture stories of building and construction throughout the history of the South Downs.
Impress our judges with your innovative and creative pictures showing these stories within the National Park’s landscapes and you could win a first prize of £250, second prize of £150 or third prize of £50.
Soak up the views from the South Downs Way
Totalling 100 miles in length, running from Winchester to Eastbourne, this beautiful National Trail encompasses rolling hills, wooded valleys, peaceful rivers and a stunning coastline.
You don’t have to do it all in one go, (though you can if want!) as it’s easy to break up into shorter walks or rides, and there are plenty of places to catch the bus and train so you don’t need to worry about parking. Visit nationaltrail.co.uk/south-downs-way for a whole host of day itineraries and details of events, accommodation and much more.
Find some treasure…
Geocaching is a real-world treasure hunt that combines outdoors, exercise and technology. Forget Pokémon Go, get your hands on some real booty! The newly created South Downs GeoTour helps you discover some of the most beautiful hidden gems in the National Park. All you need is a smartphone, GPS or paper map and a sense of adventure… Visit southdowns.gov.uk/geocaching for more details.
Embrace the darkness
If we’re blessed with clear skies why not host a star party or visit one of the South Downs’ Dark Skies Discovery Sites which boast some of the best night skies in the South East. Visit southdowns.gov.uk/ dark-night-skies for tips on night time photography and the best spots for spotting some stars.
Get 2-4-1 entry
To make life easier for you, we’ve created 11 guides for great days out in the South Downs. Not only do these give you brilliant ideas for a fun-packed day out, but they tie in with our 2-4-1 entry offer. Leave the car at home and enjoy 2-for-1 discounts at 17 attractions across the National Park when you travel by bus or train. Visit southdowns.gov.uk/discover-more-south-downs-for-less to download your guides now.
Taste the view
If you’re a foodie who likes delicious homemade meals and flavoursome tipples than a day spent sampling some of the local produce in the South Downs will make your taste buds tingle.
The South Downs region is home to English sparkling wine with over 20 vineyards and more than 50 breweries. Its exquisite dairies create over 80 regional cheeses and artisan makers have won national and international awards for their creative products, from ice cream to charcuterie and from pies to pickles. Southdown Lamb, Sussex Beef and superb fish from the Sussex and Hampshire coastal waters all help make this beautiful part of the South East a true foodie haven.
Thanks to a new web portal – southdownsfood.org – the flavours of the South Downs are now easy to find, simply use the clever interactive ‘food finder’ to help locate your next meal!