South Downs

Wild coast, stunning wildlife, remarkable history - enjoy the top spots in Britain's newest National Park.

Secret Sussex

  • View of Lavington common and its heath © Fiona Scully

    Lavington Common

    Lavington Common is a rare survivor of an open landscape that once stretched across the Weald. Its...

  • Saddlescombe Farm and Newtimber Hill © Graham Wellfare

    Saddlescombe Farm and Newtimber Hill

    A hidden hamlet nestled in the downs, which tells the story of downland farming from Domesday to the...

  • View form car park at Marley common, West Sussex © Matt Bramich

    Marley Common

    Marley Common in West Sussex, is a mixed broadleaf woodland and open heath. It's one of the National...

  • A view of the Weald from the top of Blackcap © NTPL/John Miller

    Blackcap

    Blackcap, in East Sussex, occupies 623 acres along the ridge of the South Downs, just west of the...

Welcome to the South Downs

The South Downs, stretching for over 70 miles across Sussex, is a destination valued for its internationally rare habitats, stunning wildlife and ancient history.

We care for over 6,000 hectares of countryside with a huge variety of habitats - chalk grassland, ancient woodland, lowland heath and tiny fragments of chalk heath. Numerous ancient monuments pepper our hills and the last truly natural place left in the South East - Birling Gap on the Seven Sisters coastline - is also under our care.

A wide variety of houses lie within the National Park, from Alfriston Clergy House, the first building acquired by us in 1896, to the grand houses of Petworth and Uppark and over 150 families' homes. 

For a real South Downs experience stay with us at our campsites or rent one of our numerous cottages.

Cuckmere valley

Sunset over the river © Vivienne Blakey

Time it right and you will be rewarded with stunning sunset views

© Vivienne Blakey

Devils Dyke

View looking towards Newtimber Hill in August at Devil's Dyke © NTPL/John Miller

From Devil's Dyke look towards Newtimber Hill, another National Trust gem

Slindon

Autumn pumpkin display at Slindon © Mark Wardle

Autumn pumpkin display at Slindon - different every year

© Mark Wardle

50 things to do before you're 11 ¾

50 Things To Do Before You're 11 And Three Quarters

There's no better place to start your 50 Things outdoors adventure than the South Downs. From canoeing down a river to climbing a huge hill, we reckon you can do 46 out of the 50. Devil's Dyke is a great place to start.

Staying with us: Camping

a pitcure of a tent in a field with two cups infront of it © Karen Whittaker

Get back to nature with a wild weekend of camping at Saddlescombe Farm, right on the South Downs Way.

Now open.

 

Staying with us: Gumber bothy

Gumber woodland path from Stane St © Stephen Hoar

After a day's hard walk or bike ride on the South Downs Way, Gumber Bothy offers a comfortable overnight stay.

There is also a campsite for the more hardy.

Staying with us: Cottages

Summerhouse Cottage, Tyntesfield, North Somerset © NT/Tyntesfield

A more luxurious stay awaits you at one of our numerous cottages, all set inside the new National Park.

Take a walk with us on the South Downs

Walking through the woods with wellies on © NTPL/Rod Edwards

From a heart pounding walk round the 2,000 acre Slindon estate to a short ramble at Devil's Dyke, check out our large selection of self guided walks on the South Downs.

Fancy a swift one? Try our new pub walks

Six South Downs beermat walks © Pamela Yee

A new series of walks through some of the best scenery in Sussex...and some of the best pubs.

You can find these beermat walks all along the South Downs. So if you fancy a swift one, take a look at what's on offer.

Houses: Big & small

Our top spots on the South Downs

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