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COVID-19 UPDATE

Following Government advice to stay safe and protect the NHS, we are working hard to continue to deliver for you. Find information here on how to enjoy the National Park virtually, and how our services are operating during this time.

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

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

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

Explore the trail Our absolute priority remains the safety of our visitors as well as…

Trail News COVID-19 Update There is new guidance in England and Wales on staying…

FAQs What is the South Downs Way? The 100 miles (160 Km) long…

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…

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…

Writers, Artists and Creatives Through song, poetry, art, novels and plays, some of the world’s most…

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…

Where to stargaze? In May 2016 the South Downs National Park became the world’s 13th…

Beginner's guide to stargazing Here are some top tips to help you make the most of…

Dark Skies Festival Four the past four years the South Downs National Park Authority runs…
Things to Do
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Food and Drink

Great Days Out

Wildlife Spotting

Explore Heritage and Culture

All Abilities

What's On
On Foot Our absolute priority remains the safety of our visitors as well as…

By Bike and on Horseback Our absolute priority remains the safety of our visitors as well as…

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…

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…

South Downs Ranger Experience What is the South Downs Ranger Experience? The South Downs Ranger Experience…

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…

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

Dog Friendly South Downs Lots of you visit the South Downs National Park because it is…
Plan Your Visit
Getting Here

Travelling Around

Where to Stay

Accessibility

Suggested Itineraries

South Downs Centre

Visit Seven Sisters Country Park
Accessible travel Our absolute priority remains the safety of our visitors as well as…

Public Transport Our absolute priority remains the safety of our visitors as well as…

Driving Our absolute priority remains the safety of our visitors as well as…

Car-free Travel Our absolute priority remains the safety of our visitors as well as…

South Downs Discovery Ticket Our absolute priority remains the safety of our visitors as well as…

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

Camping and Glamping The South Downs offers many camping and glamping opportunities, including two YHA…

Hotels, Cottages and B&Bs Sustainable Travel Experts Looking for something unusual? How about something that reminds…

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

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

Staying in the Park Our accommodation partners, Responsible Travel, lists wheelchair-friendly and accessible holidays which come…

Activities 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 Due to the continued uncertainty around the current situation we are not…

Britain's Iconic View One of the iconic images of the South Downs National Park is…

Experience Seven Sisters Seven Sisters Country Park is a unique place. It comprises 280 hectares…

Cliff Safety The Seven Sisters are picture perfect but they are also extremely dangerous. …
Caring for the Park
2020-2025 South Downs Partnership Management Plan

Donate to the South Downs National Park Trust

Custodians of the National Park

Volunteering

Take the Lead

Heathlands Reunited

Learning in the National Park
Our ten ambitions for the next five years The Outcomes and Priorities set out in the following pages are what…

What is the Partnership Management Plan? The Partnership Management Plan sets out the overarching five-year strategy for the…

Delivering & monitoring the Plan Delivery of the Partnership Management Plan (the Plan) will be monitored by…

What is the South Downs National Park Trust? The South Downs National Park is a unique landscape that is adored…

Trees for the Downs The South Downs National Park Trust is launching a major new campaign…

Bee Lines Our pollinators need a helping hand. Bees, butterflies, beetles, bats and birds…

Meet the Custodians On 31 March 2011, a vision became a reality. After years of…

Challenges and Opportunities With its abundance of iconic birds, mammals, fish, plants, invertebrates and internationally-important…

The Next Generation Custodianship of the landscape has been passed on down through generations of…

Volunteers in the National Park To keep our staff and volunteers safe, all volunteering has been…

South Downs Youth Action To keep our staff and volunteers safe, all volunteering has been suspended…

Microvolunteering Microvolunteering gives everyone the opportunity to make a difference in the South…

Four steps to being a good pooch Lots of you visit the South Downs National Park because it is…

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…

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

Heathland Walks and Talks The 2020 Heathland Walks and Talks programme is suspended due to Covid-19. …

Find your local heath Use the interactive map to find your local heath. Remember to look…

Achieve the Family John Muir Award The South Downs National Park is offering families the opportunity to achieve…

The Learning Zone With its spectacular and diverse landscape, rich cultural heritage, range of habitats…

The John Muir Award Welcome to the John Muir Award in the South Downs National Park…

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Discover The Park

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Plan Your Visit

Getting Here
Travelling Around
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Suggested Itineraries
South Downs Centre
Visit Seven Sisters Country Park

Caring for the Park

2020-2025 South Downs Partnership Management Plan
Donate to the South Downs National Park Trust
Custodians of the National Park
Volunteering
Take the Lead
Heathlands Reunited
Learning in the National Park

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