Hotels near the The South Downs

The South Downs are a 379-square-mile range of chalk hills stretching from Beachy Head to Winchester, designated a Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1966. A 161km national trail, the South Downs Way, follows old droving trails across this chalk ridge and through the undulating chalk valleys. With signposted routes for walkers, cyclists and horse riders, this beautiful stretch of countryside is easily accessed by public transport from Brighton.

Devil's Dyke is a popular landmark on the South Downs easily accessible by bus or car from Brighton. It has amazing views of the rolling Sussex countryside towards Haywards Heath. Follow the trail for as long as you wish from Devil's Dyke to explore medieval castles and villages and learn the difference between the lynchets and the tumulus which dotthe unusual local landscape.

Sloping gently southwards with a steep scarp to the north, the Downs are up to ten miles wide east of Brighton and represent the southern remnant of a prehistoric ridge that once stretched across the Weald to the North Downs, layers of chalk up to 1,400 feet thick laid over millions of years in some primeval sea.

For bus times and walking suggestions see the excellent South Downs Virtual Information Centre website.