South Downs
Rolling chalk hills. Seaside towns. Relax. White
cliffs. Thatched villages. A walk on the downs.
Meadows. Orchids. Wide open views. Coastal
paths. Woodland strolls. Your English escape is
nearer than you think.
Sussex preserves some of England's most enchantingly
traditional scenes, with remains of prehistoric settlers at
the Cissbury Ring flint mine, and the Bronze-Age barrows
at Kingley Vale Nature Reserve.
The South Downs Way follows the crest of the Downs until it reaches
the sea at Seven Sisters and Beachy Head. Our guided Classic Walking holidays
explore gracious parklands of imposing country houses, and discover villages with
flint-walled cottages.
- Walk on the South Downs - set to be England's newest National Park
- Rolling hills that stretch to the chalk cliffs of the Seven Sisters
- Easy access from London and the South Coast
Detailed information
| Classic Walking programme details |
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A typical Classic Walking day…
… will offer you a choice of 2 or 3 guided walks each
of varying length and ascent. If you are new to walking, start
at the easier level, where the pace is the gentlest. We have
plenty of stops to enjoy the views and to rest. As your holiday
progresses you may feel confident to try a more challenging
level, or stick to the same level - it's entirely your choice.
More information on the type of footpaths
you're likely to find in Sussex and on the South Downs.
On holidays before Easter and from 24 October, your daily choice of walks will
generally comprise a medium and a harder walk chosen to suit guest numbers and the cooler weather.
Itinerary One
The following walks will be offered for holidays commencing on these dates:
20 February; 6, 23, 30 March; 10, 14 April; 4, 8, 18, 26 May; 15, 19, 29 June; 3, 6, 10, 20, 24 July; 17, 21, 31 August; 4, 21, 25 September; 12, 19, 30 October; 13, 30 November 2009.
| Arrival day |
| Easier Walk: Pulborough and West Chiltington |
6 |
450 feet |
| Medium Walk: Fittleworth and the rivers Rother and Arun |
8½ |
375 feet |
| Harder Walk: Stopham, Pulborough and River Arun |
12 |
800 feet |
| Easier Walks: Burton Park, Byworth and Petworth |
6¼ |
400 feet |
| Medium Walk: Duncton Hill, Burton Park and Petworth |
9¼ |
650 feet |
| Harder Walk: Lordings Lock, The Mens and Petworth |
11 |
925 feet |
| Easier Walks: By the river and over the hills at Arundel |
6½ |
550 feet |
Medium Walk: Arundel Park and the River Arun
|
8¾ |
800 feet |
| Harder Walk: Over the Downs to Arundel |
12 |
850 feet |
| There are no organised walks today to allow you time to explore the area independently or just relax in Abingworth Hall and grounds. |
| Easier Walk: Friston and the Seven Sisters |
4¾ |
625 feet |
| Medium Walk: Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters |
8 |
850 feet |
| Harder Walk: East Dean, Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters |
11 |
1375 feet |
| Easier Walk: Along the Downs from
Washington to Steyning |
7 |
650 feet |
| Medium Walk: Chanctonbury and Cissbury |
9¼ |
1050 feet |
| Harder Walk: Downland forts and Steyning |
12½ |
1450 feet |
| Departure day |
Itinerary Two
The following walks will be offered for holidays commencing on these dates:
16 February; 2, 20, 27 March; 3, 24 April; 11, 15, 22 May; 1, 5, 26 June; 13, 17 July; 3, 7, 24, 28 August; 7, 11, 28 September; 2, 16, 26 October; 9, 27 November; 11 December 2009.
| Arrival day |
Easier Walk: Amberley
and Parham to Abingworth
|
6¾ |
125 feet |
Medium Walk: Amberley, the South Downs
and Parham
|
9 |
650 feet |
| Harder Walk: Amberley, the South Downs, and Chantry
Post |
12¼ |
875 feet |
| Easier Walk: Across Cowdray Park to
Petworth |
6 |
475 feet |
Medium Walk: Midhurst to Petworth through
two glorious parks
|
9 |
700 feet |
| Harder Walk: Stedham Mill and two parks
to Petworth |
12½ |
975 feet |
| Easier Walks: Over Ditchling Beacon to Ditchling |
6 |
700 feet |
| Medium Walk: Devils Dyke to Ditchling |
9 |
1350 feet |
| Harder Walk: Devils Dyke, Clayton Windmills and Ditchling Beacon |
12¼ |
1975 feet |
| There are no organised walks today to allow you time to explore the area independently or just relax in Abingworth Hall and grounds. |
| Easier Walk: Drovers Estate, Goodwood and West Dean |
5¾ |
750 feet |
| Medium Walk: Levin Down, Goodwood and West Dean |
8 |
1000 feet |
| Harder Walk: Goodwood, Kingly Vale and Downland villages |
12¾ |
1825 feet |
| Easier Walk: Friston and the Seven Sisters |
4¾ |
625 feet |
| Medium Walk: Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters |
8 |
850 feet |
| Harder Walk: East Dean, Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters |
11 |
1375 feet |
| Departure day |
[Back to the top]
| Footpath information |
|
On these holidays there is a choice of up to three walks for varying abilities each day. For maximum choice we offer two weekly itineraries -
ideal if you wish to book a 14-night holiday or return for a second visit.
 |
Easier Walks: 4¾ to 7 miles with mostly gentle gradients. Up to 750ft of ascent in a day. |
 |
Medium Walks: 8 to 10 miles on undulating paths with occasional steeper sections. Up to 1,375ft of ascent in a day. |
|
Harder Walks: 11 to 13 miles with occasional steep ascents. Up to 2,000ft of ascent in a day. |
All walks use good tracks and paths across the Downs and through villages, fields and woodland.
[Back to the top]
| Average temperatures |
|
| Feb |
1°C |
7°C |
| March |
3°C |
9°C |
| April |
4°C |
12°C |
| May |
7°C |
16°C |
| June |
10°C |
19°C |
| July |
12°C |
21°C |
| Aug |
12°C |
21°C |
| Sept |
10°C |
18°C |
| Oct |
8°C |
15°C |
| Nov |
4°C |
10°C |
| Dec |
3°C |
8°C |
[Back to the top]
| Other walking holiday ideas |
|
We also offer the following holidays at Abingworth Hall, find out more below:
Alternative guided walking holidays in and around the South Downs include:
[Back to the top]
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| Where you'll stay |
You'll be based in our fine Country House accommodation, Abingworth
Hall beside its own lake in 8 acres of parkland in Abingworth on the South
Downs.
Situated in the peaceful Sussex
countryside, at the foot of the South
Downs, Abingworth Hall is a lovely quiet
Country House with a special ambience
provided by oak panelling and cosy
lounges. The house stands beside its own
lake and is surrounded by eight acres of
parkland with a croquet lawn and an outdoor swimming pool. In the main
house there are three lounges, a function
room and conservatory, together with 29
en-suite bedrooms. Good food
and a friendly welcome make
for an enjoyable stay. |
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