Harting Down
Dramatic hill-top views and secluded valleys, with abundant wild flowers
Harting Down
Facilities and access
Harting Down
Overview
Dramatic hill-top views and secluded valleys, with abundant wild flowers
Harting Down is one of the largest areas of ancient chalk downland cared for by the National Trust. A tapestry of pristine downland blends beautifully with scattered scrub and woodland.
Experience a sense of timelessness where sheep have grazed for thousands of years. When you reach the brows of the hilltops you are greeted by views north across the Weald and south to the Isle of Wight.
Hear skylarks bursting with song above you and tread on grassland awash with pyramidal orchids and wild herbs. Venture off the South Downs Way into a more secluded valley where you will find species-rich downland turf edged with scrub full of songbirds. It is also home to one of the best juniper sites in the south. Butterflies such as the Grizzled Skipper thrive here. Look out for rarities such as the exquisite Blue Carpenter Bee and the Cheese Snail.
Of historical interest is an Iron Age hill fort and cross-ridge dykes. The remains of a Napoleonic war telegraph station can be found on Beacon Hill, the highest point on Harting Down. In the last ten years we have reintroduced conservation grazing in order to sustain the floristic diversity.
Harting Down
How to get here
- Address
- Nr South Harting, West Sussex
- By cycle
- National Cycle Network Route 22 to Chichester, then A286 through Lavant. Turn left on to B2141 towards South Harting
- On foot
- On the South Downs national trail and part of an extensive network of footpaths. Nearest village is South Harting
- By train
- Petersfield 5 miles, or Chichester 11 miles. Take the Stagecoach 54 between Petersfield and Chichester, alighting at or opposite the stop for Uppark: Harting Down is east of the road.
- By road
- From Chichester take A286 through Lavant, turn left on to B2141. Car park is roughly 5 miles at top of hill on right-hand side. From Petersfield take B2146 to South Harting village, follow signs to Uppark, then fork left towards Chichester on B2141. Car park on left-hand side at top of hill. Book car parking with RingGo
- Parking: Car park free for Blue Badge holders and NT members; for non-members there is a charge of £2 per day; payments are operated by RingGo and can be booked online (http://www.myringgo.co.uk/parkinglocator?zone=8508), else requires a mobile phone.
- SatNav:
- By bus
- Take the Stagecoach 54 between Petersfield and Chichester, alighting at or opposite the stop for Upark: Harting Down is east of the road.
Harting Down
Prices
Admission free
What is Gift Aid?
Most of our places run the Gift Aid on Entry scheme at their admission points. Under this scheme, if you're not a member you have the choice of two entry tickets:
- Gift Aid Admission or
- Standard admission
If the place runs Gift Aid on Entry, we'll offer you the Gift Aid Admission prices. But it's entirely up to you which ticket you choose. If you want the Standard Admission instead, just let us know when you come to pay.
Gift Aid Admission includes a 10 per cent or more voluntary donation. Gift Aid Admissions let us reclaim tax on the whole amount paid* — an extra 25 per cent — potentially a very significant boost to our places' funds.
An extra £1 paid under the scheme can be worth over £3 to the National Trust as shown below: Payment of the additional percentage donation is entirely voluntary, so if you prefer to pay the standard admission please advise our reception staff at the till point.
| Gift Aid | Standard | |
|---|---|---|
| Amount paid by visitor | £11.00 | £10.00 |
| Tax refund from Government* | £2.75 | £0.00 |
| Total received by the National Trust | £13.75 | £10.00 |
Harting Down
Opening times
Sunday 25 September
- Countryside Dawn to dusk
Monday 26 September
- Countryside Dawn to dusk
Tuesday 27 September
- Countryside Dawn to dusk
Wednesday 28 September
- Countryside Dawn to dusk
Thursday 29 September
- Countryside Dawn to dusk
Friday 30 September
- Countryside Dawn to dusk
Saturday 1 October
- Countryside Dawn to dusk