Virtual Walks
Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, the South Downs National Park Authority committed to continue bringing the National Park to people virtually.
Rangers, health & wellbeing officers and local historians all helped to produce virtual walks. So whether it’s a walk around a local hillfort or exploring lowland heath, one of the rarest habitats in the world, we’ve got you covered.
Check out all the walks below:
- History walk of Chanctonbury Ring
Join local archaeologist, James Sainsbury, for a tour around Chanctonbury Ring, a prehistoric hillfort steeped in folklore. Watch the video below or on YouTube.
- History walk of Cissbury Ring
Join local archaeologist, James Sainsbury, for a tour around Cissbury Ring, the largest hillfort in southern England and the second largest in the country. Watch the video below or on YouTube.
- Winter Solstice mindfulness walk
SDNPA Health and Wellbeing Officer Kate Drake takes us on a calming walk through Clapham Woods near Worthing as we mark the winter solstice. Watch the video below or on YouTube.
- Autumn on Lord’s Piece Common
Lowland heath is one of the rarest habitats in the world and is home to a remarkable array of reptile and amphibian species. Charles Winchester takes us on an Autumn tour of this special site. Watch the video below or on YouTube.
- Cowdray Ancient Tree
The Queen Elizabeth oak tree on the Cowdray Estate in Midhurst is a monumental tree that may be more than 1,000 years old. Ranger Angela Ward takes us on a walk to this tree that was once visited by Elizabeth I of England. Watch the video below or on YouTube.
- Get exploring your local trails
Our local trails offer so much variety and give us a chance to observe bits of nature we could otherwise miss. Ranger Rachel Guy takes us to her local trails to see what we could be missing on our doorstep. Watch the video below or on YouTube.
- Petersfield’s prized history
Ryan Watts of Petersfield Museum shows us the unique history of Petersfield heath and how these wild-looking landscapes aren’t really wild at all. Watch the video below or on YouTube.
- A long walk around Longmoor
Longmoor is a remarkable example of lowland heath. Heathlands Reunited officer Katy Sherman and Guy Mason of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust show us what makes this site so incredible. Watch the video below or on YouTube.
- Garbetts Wood ramble
Ranger Angela Walk takes us on a ramble of the Woodland Trust-owned Garbetts Wood near Rogate. A miniature woodland, it shows us the wonderful mosaic of habitats we have in the National Park. Watch the video below or on YouTube.
- Midhurst Common stroll
Taking in parts of the Serpent Trail, Midhurst Common is one of the patchwork of local heathlands we have in the South Downs National Park. It’s also an example of the local green spaces we have on our doorstep and the connection they allow us to have with nature. Watch the video below or on YouTube.
- Butser Hill – My favourite walk
The first in a set of virtual tours put together by the Inter Activ service of Portsmouth based organisation Enable Ability, explores Butser Hill at Queen Elizabeth Country Park. Their aim is to encourage people that live with anxiety to go out and exercise, to visit and explore new places and to get all the benefits from being outside with nature. In this 360 degree virtual tour you will find hints and tips to help you plan your own walk or simply enjoy taking a virtual walk.
Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram to watch new walks when they happen.