South Downs Way - West Section
Enjoy the western half of the South Downs Way on our short self-guided walking holidays. Accommodation, luggage transfer and customised holiday pack included.
South Downs Way - West Section
https://www.contours.co.uk/south-downs-way-west-section
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A walk along the chalk downs of Hampshire and Sussex, from Winchester to Eastbourne.
From £425 per person
Walk the length of the chalk downs of Hampshire and Sussex on the South Downs Way, which dips into beautiful river valleys to visit Norman and Saxon churches, deserted medieval villages, and historic thatched villages bursting with flowers.
This spectacular National Trail boasts a wealth of old beacon viewpoints overlooking patchwork fields and woodland. Those inland vistas are matched only by the breath-taking views from chalk clifftop trails out over the English Channel at the adventure’s end. The South Downs Way is a stunning walking holiday through iconic English terrain.
Dogs are welcome on select routes along this trail. Look for the pawprint icon when choosing your holiday.
From £570 per person
Less than an hour from London, the west section of the South Downs Way is a wholly inland walk along the chalk ridge of the South Downs escarpment.
From the historic city of Winchester, home to one of the largest cathedrals in Europe, the trail passes through a landscape brimming with Bronze Age and Celtic history, with stops in idyllic English villages.
| Code | Tour | Duration | Price per person | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SDWW1 | From Winchester to Amberley | 3 days walking | £570 | |
| SDWW2 | From Winchester to Amberley | 4 days walking | £710 | |
| SDWW3 | From Winchester to Amberley | 5 days walking | £850 |
| Code | Tour | Duration | Price per person | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SDWSBE | From Kingston-near-Lewes(T) to Eastbourne | 2 days walking | £425 |
Travel to Winchester where your first night's accommodation will be booked
Winchester to Exton(L). 12 miles (19.5km) / 1129 ft (344 m) ascent
Exton(L) to South Harting(L). 16 miles (25.5km) / 2021 ft (616 m) ascent
South Harting(L) to Amberley. 19.5 miles (31km) / 2201 ft (671 m) ascent
Depart from Amberley 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 travel more than a mile from the trail to your accommodation in most cases; should your accommodation be further than this, transfers will be provided as standard if practical. A very limited number of stops will require you to travel on foot up to two miles off the trail, however these instances will be clearly communicated to you if applicable.
Further transfers may also be required due to some accommodations having a two-night minimum booking policy, especially at weekends.
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:
You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops:
Setting off on a walking holiday well within reach of London.
Exploring sites steeped in history, such as Old Winchester Hill with its Iron Age hill fort.
Admiring the beautiful thatched cottages in Amberley.
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:
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“First time walking in the south of England, very enjoyable. Fully intend booking second half of SDW for next year.”Mr Goodbody, UK
“This was our 5th Contours holiday and was of the excellent standard we have come to expect from Contours.”Mr McDonough, UK
“The walk was excellent. The weather was kind to us. I would recommend the walking route.”Mrs Whailin, UK
“My wife and I returned from our South Downs Way walk earlier this week. This is the second holiday we have had with you and, like the first, it was first class. Wish we had started with you a few years ago when we were a bit (lot) younger and could have tackled some of the more strenuous ones. The scenery on the South Downs was not as dramatic or spectacular as North Cornwall but it was very pleasant walking. The accommodation ranging from good to very good and the hosts were always welcoming and helpful.”Mr Cowell, UK
“Fabulous holiday despite the weather - many thanks.”Dr Langdon, UK
“Overall it is a good walking holiday. The walking is path is everywhere very well indicated, and the paths are well maintained. The accommodations are also of good level.”Ms Creusot, Netherlands
“It was great, good time and good weather made it worthwhile.”Mr Wheelock, UK
“We enjoyed it very much. We weren't quite sure what to expect, in terms of what the accommodation would be like, and how well the taxi transfer arrangements would work etc, but it was all as good or even better than we were hoping for. Would definitely recommend the holiday to others. We are thinking about next year already.”Mr Sparrow, UK
“Contours really delivered a great service.”Mr Mahon, UK
