COVID-19 Updates - No further bookings for 2021 at this time
South Downs Way Short Break - East Section

South Downs Way Short Break - East Section

A taster break along the most southerly stretch of the trail from Kingston-near-Lewes to Eastbourne.

3 nights
24 miles
Moderate

From £330 per person

Find out about the tour

About this route

Arguably one of the most dramatic sections of the entire trail, our Eastern Section Short Break travels through quiet valleys and across breezy open spaces, surrounded by big views.

The trail straddles the ridge of the escarpment to the village of Alfriston, famed for its ancient buildings, and winds through Friston Forest. Dramatic coastal views crown the route at Birling Gap, Seven Sisters Cliffs, and Beachy Head.

Standard
Interactive
© Contours Walking Holidays South Downs Way Short Break - East Section map
Kingston-near-Lewes to Eastbourne
24 miles (38 km)
2nd January to 24th December

Holiday highlights

Exploring the many hamlets and villages along the route, including Iford, Southease, Firle and Westdean.

Watching daring paragliders flying from Bostal Hill during the summer.

Celebrating the completion of the trail in the lively seaside town of Eastbourne, with plenty of fantastic scenery to enjoy.

Available tours

CodeTourDurationDifficultyPrice per person
SDWSBE From Kingston-near-Lewes(T) to Eastbourne 3 nights, 2 days walking Moderate£330

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

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

Travel to Kingston-near-Lewes(T) where your first night's accommodation has been booked

Day 1

Kingston-near-Lewes(T) to Alfriston. 11.5 miles (18.5km) / 1073 ft (327 m) ascent

Day 2

Alfriston to Eastbourne. 12 miles (19.5km) / 1742 ft (531 m) ascent

Finish

Depart from Eastbourne 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
£50.00 per person / per night
Single Supplement
£40.00 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 charming village of Kingston-near-Lewes is a good place to spend a rest day. With a pub and 13th century church, there is plenty of opportunity to relax, while the county town of Lewes is less than two miles away and is packed with things to see and do including a castle, ruined priory, the house of Anne of Cleves and a variety of antique shops.

If you would like to spend some more time exploring at the end of your walk, consider Eastbourne for an extra night. With spectacular views from Beachy Head and a host of historic locations such as Redoubt Fortress as well as shops, parks, gardens, restaurants, museums and galleries, there is plenty to serve as reward after completing your walk.

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

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

Tour Facts

Total distance: 24 miles (38 km)
Duration: 3 nights, 2 days walking
Minimum daily distance: 11.5 miles (18.5 km)
Maximum daily distance: 12 miles (19.5 km)
Code: SDWSBE Grade: Moderate
Season: 2nd January - 24th December
Start of holiday: Kingston-near-Lewes(T)
End of holiday: Eastbourne

Route Profile

South Downs Way Short Break East 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, Southampton and Bournemouth.

By Rail - The nearest rail station to the start of the trail (Kingston-near-Lewes) is at Lewes (about 2 miles away). There is a rail station at the end of the trail (Eastbourne).

By Bus - There is an infrequent bus service from Lewes to Kingston-near-Lewes, so a taxi may be required. Various bus services run from Eastbourne.

From London - Trains run from London Victoria station to Lewes. From there, a bus/taxi will be required to Kingston-near-Lewes.

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

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 - 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
South Downs Way Short Break - Central Section

South Downs Way Short Break - Central Section

3 nights
23 miles
Moderate
From £330 per person
A short walking holiday from Buriton to Amberley on a central snippet of the South Downs Way.Find Out More
Explore more holidays on the South Downs Way trail

You might also like

Offa's Dyke Short Break - South Section

Offa's Dyke Short Break - South Section

3 nights
29 miles
Demanding
Dog friendly
From £285 per person
A short self-guided walking holiday along the historic Offa's Dyke Path from Hay-on-Wye to Knighton.Find Out More
Hadrian's Wall Highlights

Hadrian's Wall Highlights

3 to 6 nights
39 miles
Easy / Moderate+
Dog friendly
From £255 per person
A walk from Corbridge to Brampton along the most fascinating part of Hadrian's Wall.Find Out More
Contours Walking Holidays Contours Cycling Holidays Contours Trail Running Holidays