There’s one thing quietly magical in regards to the South Downs. This rolling stretch of southern England has a timeless really feel – sleepy stone villages, chalky hilltops, and sun-drenched vineyards that would move for Burgundy on a very good day.
This highway journey by the South Downs presents an ideal mix of walks, wine tastings and postcard-perfect streets, all inside simple attain of London however a world away in tempo.
It’s a route that fits an extended weekend however rewards taking it slower.
Assume lazy lunches beneath oak beams, farm outlets stocked with Sussex cheese, and breezy hikes with sea views. A flask of tea and a boot filled with native wine by no means harm both.
Route Overview
Arundel → Amberley → Petworth → Ditchling → Alfriston → Rathfinny Wine Property → Seven Sisters
Perfect journey size: 3 – 4 days
Finest time to go: Might to September – sunny skies, open vineyards and wildflowers on the Downs
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Begin: Arundel – castles and cobblestones
Begin your journey in Arundel, the place the centrepiece is Arundel Fort. It’s a sprawling medieval landmark with fairy-tale turrets and luxurious gardens.
If you happen to’ve acquired the time (and the legs), climb as much as the hold for views throughout the River Arun and the South Downs past.
The city itself is a delightful mixture of vintage outlets, bookshops and delis, and an vintage strolling tour presents an enthralling option to uncover its hidden corners and tales.
Tip: Seize espresso at The Loft at Sparks Yard or a sausage roll from Pallant of Arundel, then stroll by the cathedral or the riverside park.
Keep: Base your self at Rife Lodges, simply outdoors the city centre. These fashionable lakeside lodges provide spacious rooms, free parking, Wi‑Fi and peaceable views.
Cease 1: Amberley – thatched and timeless
Head north by meadows and hedgerows to Amberley, one of many prettiest villages in West Sussex.
It’s acquired that actual “this should be the place movies are made” look; thatched cottages, climbing roses and quiet lanes.
You’ll be able to go to the Amberley Museum if industrial heritage is your factor, however actually this cease is about wandering and taking images.
For walks, you’re on the fringe of Amberley Wild Brooks, a wetland space filled with birds and massive skies.
Tea, Keep or Each: Pop into the Amberley Fort Resort for tea should you’re feeling fancy, or possibly spend the night time for an entire fairytale expertise.
Cease 2: Petworth – artwork and vintage hunters’ heaven
Subsequent cease: Petworth, a small city with a critical eye for the humanities.
It’s greatest identified for Petworth Home, a Nationwide Belief mansion full of Turner work and surrounded by deer parkland designed by Functionality Brown.
Even when stately properties aren’t your factor, the panorama is a masterpiece in its personal proper.
Within the city itself, vintage outlets line the streets and pop-up galleries are by no means far off.
Eat: Cease for lunch at The Hungry Visitor or browse the meals store subsequent door for picnic provides; the native bread, cheese and chutneys are a meal in themselves.
Keep: The Outdated Railway Station, a transformed Victorian cease simply outdoors city has elegant rooms, hearty breakfasts and a quiet backyard, preferrred for artwork and vintage lovers.
Cease 3: Ditchling – artists and alpacas
Lower east throughout the Downs to Ditchling, a small village with a artistic streak.
It was as soon as residence to sculptors, calligraphers and typographers. That artsy spirit lingers within the Ditchling Museum of Artwork + Craft – a small however superbly curated house tucked right into a nook of the inexperienced.
The Ridgeview Wine Property is simply outdoors city, and should you’re into English glowing wine, it’s a stable cease.
Excursions run often and the views over the vines towards the Downs are pretty much as good because the fizz.
If you happen to’ve extra time, Ditchling Beacon – one of many highest factors within the South Downs – is simply up the highway.
Keep: Loosen up at The Bull, a 500‑yr‑previous nation inn within the coronary heart of the village. It presents cosy, individually styled rooms, a welcoming bar and restaurant, and a backyard to benefit from the peaceable Downs setting.
Cease 4: Alfriston – storybook Sussex
From right here, proceed east to Alfriston, probably the most charming villages within the South Downs.
It sits within the Cuckmere Valley, and its streets are lined with medieval timbered buildings, quaint tea rooms and a 14th-century church on the Tye (a grassy frequent that hosts open-air concert events in summer time).
There’s additionally The Clergy Home, the first-ever Nationwide Belief property, and a very good pub scene. The George Inn does hearty meals in entrance of an actual hearth, and The Star mixes heritage with boutique resort aptitude.
It is a good place to remain an evening or two earlier than heading to Rathfinny.
Cease 5: Rathfinny Wine Property – vines with a view
No South Downs highway journey is full with no winery cease, and Rathfinny is among the best.
Set in a rolling valley close to the coast, it’s a comparatively new property producing award-winning Sussex glowing wines.
You’ll be able to e-book a tour and tasting (plan forward – they refill), or simply have lunch on the Flint Barns Eating Room, which sources regionally and serves with aptitude.
Even non-wine drinkers will respect the surroundings: rows of vines in opposition to a backdrop of open sky and chalk cliffs.
Keep: If you happen to’re tempted to linger, you may keep on the Flint Barns, a trendy and cosy guesthouse proper on the property. It’s all low-lit interiors, considerate design and winery views out of your pillow.
Ultimate cease: Seven Sisters – cliffside finale
End your journey with a bang on the Seven Sisters, a sequence of shiny white chalk cliffs marching alongside the coast close to Seaford.
There’s no unhealthy option to see them, however the Seaford Head stroll provides you that iconic view with out an excessive amount of effort.
Useful tip: Carry a windproof jacket – it will get breezy up right here – and a digital camera, as a result of it’s probably the most photographed pure sights within the UK for a cause. If you happen to fancy a dip, Cuckmere Haven seaside is pebbly however peaceable, with the river snaking gently into the ocean.
Keep: Spend the night time on the Self‑contained Cosy Backyard Room Seven Sisters, an enthralling house with its personal backyard and terrace. It’s peaceable, personal, and only a brief stroll from each Cuckmere Haven and the cliff paths.
Non-obligatory Add-On: Lewes
If you happen to’ve acquired additional time or wish to loop again towards London through a livelier cease, drop into Lewes, a historic city with a fiercely impartial streak.
There’s a fortress, a well-known bonfire night time, Harvey’s Brewery and a few glorious second-hand bookshops.
It makes an amazing add-on or base for the jap half of the route.
Necessities
Driving time with out stops: Approx. 3 – 4 hours.
What to pack: Snug sneakers, layers for changeable climate, a reusable wine provider, and a picnic blanket.
Driving tip: Some nation lanes are slender with restricted passing locations. Take it sluggish, particularly close to walkers and cyclists. Parking could be tight in villages on weekends, so arrive early or keep in a single day close by.
Ultimate ideas
This highway journey by South Downs villages & vineyards is for many who like their countryside scenic and their pitstops filled with character.
It’s a journey of low-key luxuries: rolling hills, flinty wines, cosy pubs and thatched-roof villages that haven’t bowed to time.
Drive it sluggish, cease typically and don’t be afraid to detour. The actual attraction could be discovered within the winding roads between stops, the views from the highest of a stile, or the sound of a cork popping within the late afternoon solar.
