Click here for our latest Covid-19 information
South Downs Way Short Break - Central Section

South Downs Way Short Break - Central Section

A short walking holiday from Buriton to Amberley on a central snippet of the South Downs Way.

3 nights
23 miles
Moderate

From £330 per person

Find out about the tour

About this route

Through an agricultural landscape of hedge-lined fields, woodland and meadows, our South Downs Way Short Break – Central Section visits pleasant little villages and summits Bignor Hill, offering far-reaching views across the South Downs.

Along the banks of the River Arun, the trail pushes on to end in a beautiful village of thatched cottages at Amberley.

Standard
Interactive
© Contours Walking Holidays South Downs Way Short Break - Central Section map
Buriton to Amberley
23 miles (37 km)
2nd January to 24th December

Holiday highlights

Enjoying the quintessentially English countryside, filled with pretty wildflowers and attractive widlife.

Admiring the excellent panoramic views from the crowns of Pen Hill and Bignor Hill.

Wandering through the attractive village of Amberley as a reward for completing your holiday.

Available tours

CodeTourDurationDifficultyPrice per person
SDWSBC From Buriton(T) to Amberley 3 nights, 2 days walking Moderate£330

South Downs Way Short Break Central 3 nights, 2 days walking

£NNN per person
  • Itinerary
  • What's included?
  • Extra nights?
  • Tour facts
  • Route profile
  • Travel info
  • Weather
Start

Travel to Buriton(T) where your first night's accommodation has been booked

Day 1

Buriton(T) to Cocking. 11 miles (17.5km)

Day 2

Cocking to Amberley. 12 miles (19km)

Finish

Depart from Amberley after breakfast

Your Itinerary

This itinerary lists our preferred overnight stops for this tour. Sometimes there may be a shortage of available accommodation in a preferred location, in which case we will transfer you from the trail to your accommodation and back again at no extra charge. Overnight stops marked with a (T) will always require transfers as standard.

Overnight stops marked with an (L) have very limited accommodation, and therefore more often than not will also require a transfer, particularly on bank holidays and weekends. We will use non-transfer accommodation wherever possible.

The daily mileages quoted are average trail miles only and do not include the distance from the trail to your accommodation. We do not expect you to have to travel more than a mile from the trail to your accommodation; should your accommodation be further than this, transfers will be provided as standard.

Below are the additional costs that may apply depending on your requirements. Dog-friendly tours are subject to a Daily Dog Charge, which will be listed below if applicable. Our standard prices per person are based upon two people sharing a room; if you are on your own, or are part of a group but require a room of your own, then the Solo Traveller or Single Supplements apply respectively:

A note about transfers
Solo Traveller Supplement
£49.00 per person / per night
Single Supplement
£39.00 per person / per night


You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops:

Extra night (Standard)
£60.00 per person / per night

What's included?

  • 3 nights' accommodation in en-suite rooms (where available) in selected B&B’s, hotels, inns and guesthouses along the trail, or a short distance away via taxi provided at our expense.
  • Breakfast each day.
  • Door to door luggage transfer.
  • Maps with the route marked on and a guidebook or route notes describing the trail.
  • An information pack containing an itinerary, instructions on how to find your accommodation each night and a kit list.
  • Detailed travel instructions on how to get to the start of your holiday and back from the end of it.

Extra Nights & Rest Days

If you would like to extend your holiday by taking an extra night, there are a number of locations for you to consider.

The pretty village of Amberley is a good choice. The village is comprised of beautiful thatched cottages and is surrounded by the superb countryside of the Arun Valley. There is a museum and a castle that can be viewed from the outside, while just a few miles away lies the marvellous Arundel Castle, where you may wish to spend the day.

You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops:

Extra night (Standard)
£60.00 per person / per night

Tour Facts

Total distance: 23 miles (36.5 km)
Duration: 3 nights, 2 days walking
Minimum daily distance: 11 miles (17.5 km)
Maximum daily distance: 12 miles (19 km)
Code: SDWSBC Grade: Moderate
Season: 2nd January - 24th December
Start of holiday: Buriton(T)
End of holiday: Amberley

Route Profile

South Downs Way Short Break Central Route Profile

Travel Information

Useful information and travel links that will assist you in your plans to travel to the start of the holiday and back from the end of it are sent to you with your full tour pack. A summary is given below:

By Air - The most convenient major cities and international airports are London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Southampton and Bournemouth.

By Rail - The nearest rail station to the start of the trail (Buriton) is at Petersfield (about 3 miles away). There is a rail station at the end of the trail (Amberley).

By Bus - There is a bus service from Petersfield to Buriton Monday to Saturday only. On a Sunday, you will need to take a taxi. Various bus services run from Amberley.

From London - Trains run from London Waterloo station to Petersfield. From there a bus/taxi will be required.

Return To The Start - The easiest way to return to the start of the trail, is to take the train from Amberley to Petersfield. From there a bus/taxi will then be required to Buriton.

Weather Information

To find out more about the weather forecast for your chosen holiday's general location, please see the following websites:

  • MetCheck - This website allows you to look up detailed weather information for specific locations as far as six months in advance.
  • Met Office - This website shows regional area forecasts a few days in advance, with a general UK forecast description of up to 30 days in advance.
  • Mountain Forecast - This website shows what the forecast is like up on specific hills and fells, and offers forecasts a few days in advance.

Routes on this trail

South Downs Way

South Downs Way

7 to 11 nights
102 miles
Moderate+
From £750 per person
A walking holiday from Winchester to Eastbourne along the chalk downs of Hampshire and Sussex.Find Out More
South Downs Way - West Section

South Downs Way - West Section

4 to 6 nights
48 miles
Moderate+
From £430 per person
A self-guided walking holiday from Winchester to Amberley along the chalk downs escarpment.Find Out More
South Downs Way - East Section

South Downs Way - East Section

5 to 6 nights
54 miles
Moderate+
From £535 per person
A walking holiday from Amberley to Eastbourne along the chalk South Downs escarpment to the coastal clifftops.Find Out More
South Downs Way Short Break - East Section

South Downs Way Short Break - East Section

3 nights
24 miles
Moderate
From £330 per person
A taster break along the most southerly stretch of the trail from Kingston-near-Lewes to Eastbourne.Find Out More
South Downs Way Short Break - Circular

South Downs Way Short Break - Circular

3 nights
22 miles
Moderate
Dog friendly
From £330 per person
A circular walking holiday from Alfriston via the Seven Sisters Cliffs, Beachy Head, and Eastbourne.Find Out More
Explore more holidays on the South Downs Way trail

You might also like

Pembrokeshire Coast Path - North Section

Pembrokeshire Coast Path - North Section

6 to 8 nights
65 miles
Moderate+
From £575 per person
A walking holiday from St Dogmael's to St Davids along the Pembrokeshire coast.Find Out More
Pennine Way - South Section

Pennine Way - South Section

6 to 8 nights
95 miles
Moderate / Demanding+
From £550 per person
A walk from Edale to Horton-in-Ribblesdale via the Peak District, South Pennines and the Yorkshire Dales.Find Out More

Select a tour

Contours Walking Holidays Contours Cycling Holidays Contours Trail Running Holidays