Rangers play an important role in maintaining the 3,300km of trails, footpaths and bridleways across the National Park. Their jobs can include fixing a fence or fingerpost to leading guided walks. For National Walking Month in May we asked some of our rangers for their absolute favourite walk in the South Downs. Read on to find out more! 😊
Fay Pattinson, a Ranger for the Eastern Downs, said: “One of my favourite walks is to head up to Chanctonbury Ring. It’s one of the most iconic landmarks in this area of the National Park, clearly identifiable by the hilltop clump of trees first planted on it in the 1760s by Charles Goring, heir to the Wiston Estate. Comprised of the remains of an Iron Age hill fort, there are also Bronze Age features and the remains of a Roman temple contained within its ramparts. The views from here are stunning on a clear day, and there is so much history and intriguing folklore associated with this ancient site. There are often red kites soaring overhead, the sound of skylarks filling the sky and during the summer months many beautiful downland flowers to be enjoyed on the nearby north-facing escarpment.”
Paul Bushell, a Ranger for the Western Downs, said: “The Selborne walk is a fabulous walk that takes in history, a quaint Hampshire village, a tea room, museum, pub and some breath-taking landscape. What more do you need, I hear you cry? The icing on the cake is to tread in the footsteps of Gilbert White (quite literally – especially the zig zag path) looking out for iconic species including small mammals, birds and butterflies.
“All of this beautiful countryside is linked with a network of hedges, meandering streams, ponds, woodland, wildflower meadows and the surrounding farmland. Each season is suitably catered for. Spring and the emerging leaf and wildflowers, through to enjoying the butterflies dancing through the summer meadows, then on to the autumnal colours on the trees and the mammals and birds feasting on nature’s bounty, followed by the winter skeletons of the fabulous woodlands and the frosted meadows. It really is a wonderful walk!”
For more walk ideas and downloadable leaflets check out our walking hub at www.southdowns.gov.uk/get-active/south-downs-walks/