South Downs
The South Downs is a place of history, nature, people and varied landscapes. With tiny historic villages and large bustling towns, beech woodlands and coastal cliff tops, galleries, opera houses and more, it's a perfect place to visit.
Countryside places to visit on the South Downs
Clifftops, beech hangar woodlands, ancient forests and chalk grassland - wherever your feet may take you there will be a beautiful countryside spot waiting.
Black Down
The highest point in the South Downs National Park
Woolbeding Countryside
Experience a landscape shaped by traditional rural life
Harting Down
Dramatic hill-top views and secluded valleys, with abundant wild flowers
Slindon Estate
A great and ancient downland estate
Devil's Dyke
A legendary beauty spot on the South Downs
Cuckmere Valley
Flower-rich chalk grassland with stunning views of the Cuckmere River
Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters
A popular coastal hub, where the South Downs meet the sea
Drovers Estate
Nestled in undulating hills, step back to a timeless rural life
House and gardens in the South Downs
Whether it's a historic mill, a grand house full of internationally important artwork, or the first property bought by the National Trust, there is plenty to see in the South Downs
Winchester City Mill
Free to enter Ancient watermill, café with island garden and wildlife spot in the heart of Winchester
Hinton Ampner
Elegant country house with highly distinctive gardens
Uppark House and Garden
A tranquil 17th-century house set within intimate gardens and woodland.
Petworth
A magnificent 17th-century house displaying one of the finest art collections in the care of the National Trust, nestled in a 700-acre deer park
Alfriston Clergy House
The first building saved forever for the nation by the National Trust
Monk's House
Leonard and Virginia Woolf's 17th-century country retreat
Planning your visit
Visiting the South Downs with your dog
Find out about bringing your dog to the South Downs. Explore the beautiful landscape together, from cliff-tops and beaches to ancient downland.
Planning an event that will be passing through Birling Gap?
Nothing beats being active outdoors - it's good for the soul. But all these extra feet and wheels take their toll and nature is already very vulnerable. We can still enjoy these beautiful landscapes but let's protect them at the same time. Find out more about running events at or passing through Birling Gap.
Our work on the South Downs
The Rise of Northwood project
Discover how we’ve been returning Northwood to a wooded landscape over the past decade, reconnecting woods cut off from each other after the First World War.
Woolbeding Reimagined
Woolbeding Reimagined is a long-term land management project that aims to restore wildlife habitats, support species recovery, contribute to tackling the climate crisis and provide better access to nature for everyone.
The Changing Chalk Partnership
Led by the National Trust, Changing Chalk is a landscape-scale partnership connecting nature, people and heritage on and around the South Downs.
