South Downs Way
Walk the full South Downs Way on a self-guided walking holiday tailored to you. Accommodation, luggage transfer and customised holiday pack included.
South Downs Way
https://www.contours.co.uk/south-downs-way
A walking holiday from Winchester to Eastbourne along the chalk downs of Hampshire and Sussex.
From £720 per person
This South Downs Way holiday option explores all 100 miles of this spectacular National Trail, setting off from Winchester and scrambling eastwards towards Eastbourne on the coast.
The walk traverses the fabulous chalk downs and offers far-reaching views along its length, however the best scenery arguably comes at the end of your journey, with magnificent coastal panoramas from the rolling clifftops of the famous Seven Sisters.
Exploring the cathedral city of Winchester, once the capital of Saxon England, and Alfriston’s parish church, the “Cathedral of the Downs”.
Visiting the downland viewpoints of Beacon, Butser and Bignor Hills, Ditchling Beacon and Firle Beacon.
Arriving in Eastbourne to breath-taking views from Birling Gap, Seven Sisters Cliffs, and Beachy Head.
| Code | Tour | Duration | Price per person | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SDW1 | From Winchester to Eastbourne | 6 days walking | £720 | |
| SDW2 | From Winchester to Eastbourne | 7 days walking | £820 | |
| SDW3 | From Winchester to Eastbourne | 8 days walking | £920 | |
| SDW4 | From Winchester to Eastbourne | 9 days walking | £1025 | |
| SDW5 | From Winchester to Eastbourne | 10 days walking | £1125 |
Travel to Winchester where your first night's accommodation has been booked
Winchester to East Meon. 17 miles (27km)
East Meon to Cocking. 19 miles (30.5km)
Cocking to Washington(L). 18 miles (29km)
Washington(L) to Pyecombe. 13.5 miles (21.5km)
Pyecombe to Alfriston. 22 miles (35km)
Alfriston to Eastbourne. 12 miles (19.5km)
Depart from Eastbourne after breakfast
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 walk 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 walking on your own, or are part of a group but require a room of your own, then the Solo Walker or Single Supplements apply respectively:
You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops:
You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops:
To find out more about the weather forecast for your chosen holiday's general location, please see the following websites:
“It’s a beautiful walk and not many people get to walk parts of it in snow banks.”Mr Miller, USA
“Standard of all B&B's perfectly acceptable. You never let us down!”Mr Evans, UK
“Contours Holidays do not disappoint. Well-organised holiday with three people used to walking together.”Mr McDonough, UK
“We loved it. Beautiful paths, well signposted. Lovely villages and interesting things to see. Sometimes a bit busy but so clean. No litter. Well done Brits!”Mrs Baines, Netherlands
“Overall a great success and we enjoyed it…”Mrs Lewis, UK
“Many thanks. We are already planning our next walk for October 2019. It goes without saying that we will be looking to make use of your services again.”Mr King, UK
“We had a super holiday, this walk was fantastic and the weather superb. Thoroughly enjoyable. Contours did a great job in selecting the accommodation and clear and precise admin throughout the holiday booking process. Thanks.”Mr Ventress, UK
“Wake, breakfast, walk, wash, dinner, sleep, repeat--what's not to like? Particularly as the weather was almost universally good and the downs full of flowers, birds and butterflies!”Ms Myerscough, Australia
“We enjoyed our holiday very much, an excellent walk and really good accommodation at every stage.”Mr Carrier, UK