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Why are we a National Park? The South Downs National Park has it all – rolling hills, glorious…

Help nature to ReNature At the moment 25% of the South Downs National Park is managed…

History of the South Downs Not only have the centuries of human habitation shaped the National Park…

Conserving our Landscape Stop anywhere in the South Downs and it is hard not to…

Our Chalk Grassland At first glance, the open hills of the South Downs seem…

The Sussex Heritage Coast The Sussex Heritage Coast stretches from Eastbourne, along the iconic chalk cliffs…

‘Shifting the Gaze’ writing bursary programme In 2021, Writing Our Legacy is offering 15 bursaries of £500 each…

People and Communities Get chatting with a regular in the Bat and Ball pub in…

Caring for historic landscapes The South Downs has seen a steady ebb and flow of population…

Supporting Biodiversity From chalk grassland to lowland heath and from chalk streams to chalk…

Healthy Woodlands Woodlands are incredible! They are places for us to explore, see amazing…

Restoring Heathland Stop at Woolmer Forest and you’ll notice that it isn’t really a…

Restoring lowland heath Bigger. Better. Joined up Eleven organisations led by the South Downs National…

Heathlands Reunited: Wealden Heaths (SAMM) Project The Heathlands Reunited SAMM (Strategic access management and Monitoring) project brings together…

Take the Lead on the Heath 2018 Baseline Dog Survey 78% of visitors to our heathland sites are…

Why the South Downs is the perfect natural remedy for mental health The breathing space of the South Downs National Park, “forest bathing” and…

Forest Bathing in the South Downs If you thought the only way to bath was with water, think…

The wonderful benefits of the South Downs for children’s mental health Did you know that the mental health benefits of going for a…

South Downs Dark Skies Festival 2026 The South Downs Dark Skies Festival is back for 2026. Running between…

South Downs Dark Sky Discovery Sites A number of locations across the South Downs National Park are…

Beginner’s guide to stargazing To ensure you have the best stargazing experience you can, here are…
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South Downs Experiences National Park Experiences is a curated collection that brings the stories of…

Amazing Views Stop anywhere in the South Downs and it is hard not to…

Relax in Nature Nature is good for you. Exercise is good for you. Getting exercise…

Walking With over 3,300km of footpaths, bridleways and byways, we believe there’s a…

By Bike and on Horseback Whether it’s under your own steam or with a four-legged companion, the…

Try Something New On water and in the air, the South Downs National Park offers…

Vineyards, Breweries and Distilleries Across the South Downs National Park, locals and visitors can enjoy some…

Delicious Days Out The South Downs National Park is overflowing with delicious local food and…

Markets and Festivals If you look from the top of the South Downs, your view…

Rare and unexpected species On visiting the South Downs you might spot some of our iconic…

Seasonal wildlife Wander through the South Downs and you will discover a rich mosaic…

Expert tips There’s no hard and fast rules when it comes to spotting wildlife…

Our Historic Places The South Downs has seen a steady ebb and flow of population…

Attractions The South Downs is about far more than walking and recreation, in…

Archaeological Sites Archaeology is easy to reach in the South Downs. A short stroll…

Family Activities With so many attractions and ways to explore and discover the National…

Inclusive Equipment for Hire Inclusive equipment is available for hire at several venues across the South…

Miles Without Stiles Miles Without Stiles are routes that are suitable for people with limited…

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Getting Here

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Suggested Itineraries

South Downs Centre

Seven Sisters Country Park
Accessible travel The South Downs National Park is easily accessible by all forms of…

Public Transport Because of the National Park’s close proximity to London and a number…

Driving Situated in a busy part of the United Kingdom, driving through parts…

Car-free Travel Give your car a rest. The South Downs is the perfect destination…

South Downs Discovery Ticket With a Discovery ticket, you’re free to explore everything the region has to…

Take Care While You’re Here With millions of visitors to the South Downs every year, we want…

Camping, Glamping & Youth Hostels East Sussex Alfriston Cabins Swanborough Lakes, Lewes YHA Southease, Lewes (South Downs…

Hotels, Cottages and B&Bs East Sussex Dovecote Garden, Seaford The Grain Store, Lewes Deans Place, Alfriston…

Pet-friendly Accommodation Looking for a holiday and don’t want to leave your four-legged friends…

Getting around: assisted travel in the South Downs We’re working with travel partners to make the South Downs National Park…

Accessible accommodation in the South Downs Our accommodation partners, Responsible Travel, lists wheelchair-friendly and accessible holidays which come…

Inclusive attractions and nature reserves AccessAble provides a comprehensive search for accessible restaurants, cinemas, museums and other…

Summits and sea Stop anywhere in the South Downs and it is hard not to…

Foodie day out One thing you can be sure of in the South Downs National…

Woodland exploration Alice Holt Forest is a must see for lovers of trees and…

Facilities at the Centre The South Downs Centre hosts a limited number of facilities, these include:…

Community Hub The Community Hub at the South Downs Centre in Midhurst offers the following…

Venue Hire The Grade II listed Memorial Hall building can accommodate up to 170…

Our vision for Seven Sisters Country Park Seven Sisters Country Park, encompasses 280 hectares of rolling chalk downland, flood…

FAQs: Seven Sisters Country Park Visit www.sevensisters.org.uk/FAQs to read our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have a question that…

Experience Seven Sisters Seven Sisters Country Park is a unique place. It comprises 280 hectares…
Caring for the Park
Partnership Management Plan 2026-31

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ReNature Credits

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Learning and Youth Volunteering
Big ambitions unveiled for South Downs National Park A five-year masterplan has been unveiled today to build the critical natural…

Partnership Management Plan 2026-31 Together Now for Nature, Climate and People The South Downs National Park…

State of the Park Report 2024 The State of the Park Report offers key insights into the National…

Call for Nature Sites – opening soon The SDNPA has launched a Call for Nature Sites. This is a…

Donate now to ReNature We’ve got big plans to add an extra 13,000 hectares for nature…

Nature Recovery: information for delivery partners ReNaturing the South Downs involves all of us. Currently, just 25% of…

Buy ReNature Credits Your commitment to sustainability deserves solutions you can trust. Our climate and…

Find your nearest ReNature site Below is an interactive map showing the ReNature sites and their offsetting…

Responsible Body for Conservation Covenants South Downs National Park Authority: Now a Responsible Body for Conservation Covenants…

What do we mean by Net Zero and Nature-Based Solutions? Net zero means no longer adding to the total amount of greenhouse…

Achieving Net Zero for the South Downs National Park We are committed to working towards the South Downs National Park becoming…

Ouse Valley Climate Action (OVCA) Ouse Valley Climate Action is a National Lottery-funded programme bringing the community…

South Downs National Park Volunteers More than 300 people regularly volunteer their time for the South Downs…

South Downs Youth Action We know that young people are passionate about nature, climate and the…

Microvolunteering Microvolunteering is the best way for people who are looking to help…

Four steps to being a good pooch It’s pretty simple to be a responsible dog owner while out enjoying…

Become an Ambassador Help encourage responsible dog walking on heathlands in the South Downs National…

Groundnesting birds and dogs The South Downs is home to a wonderful array of wildlife, especially…

Schools and Groups With its spectacular and diverse landscape, rich cultural heritage, range of habitats…

Career Education and Work Experience We are here to support young people with pathways to Green Careers…

Outdoor Learning Grant The Outdoor Learning Grant is now OPEN! We are thrilled to have…

SDNPA response to Sompting Pre-submission Plan

SDNPA response to Sompting Pre-submission Plan

May 25, 2016

SDNPA response to Sompting Pre-submission Plan

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