England - South Downs Attractions
Counties: West Sussex and East Sussex
The South Downs, like the North Downs which are separated from them by the Weald, comprise a long ridge of chalk hills extending from Eastbourne in the east to beyond Winchester, running almost parallel to the coast. They are magnificent walking country and have been designated as an area of outstanding natural beauty.
"The Downs are sheep, the Weald is corn", so Rudyard Kipling described the humpback pastures of the Downs used for sheep grazing, and he continued in rhyme "You be glad, you are Sussex born". Countless sheep continue to graze amid sparse vegetation on the chalk pastures of the Downs, although some crops are now grown here.
The building stone most often seen in the Downs is flint, which occurs in layers of chalk. It is usually found in walls or on the facades of buildings, used either as a whole pebble ("knitwork") or broken up and laid out in dark shimmering pieces on mortar ("flushwork").
The chalk cliffs were once both famous and infamous for their reef pirates and smugglers. During the 18th century, the heyday of smuggling, approximately one-third of English sea trade slipped through as "free trade", and it is thought that half the gin and almost a third of the tea entering the country was handled by the gangs of smugglers in Kent and Sussex. Neither harsh punishments nor strengthening of the coastguard could stop the well-organized smugglers, until 1840 when the Government finally employed their strongest weapon: a drastic reduction in taxes.
The South Downs, like the North Downs which are separated from them by the Weald, comprise a long ridge of chalk hills extending from Eastbourne in the east to beyond Winchester, running almost parallel to the coast. They are magnificent walking country and have been designated as an area of outstanding natural beauty.
"The Downs are sheep, the Weald is corn", so Rudyard Kipling described the humpback pastures of the Downs used for sheep grazing, and he continued in rhyme "You be glad, you are Sussex born". Countless sheep continue to graze amid sparse vegetation on the chalk pastures of the Downs, although some crops are now grown here.
The building stone most often seen in the Downs is flint, which occurs in layers of chalk. It is usually found in walls or on the facades of buildings, used either as a whole pebble ("knitwork") or broken up and laid out in dark shimmering pieces on mortar ("flushwork").
The chalk cliffs were once both famous and infamous for their reef pirates and smugglers. During the 18th century, the heyday of smuggling, approximately one-third of English sea trade slipped through as "free trade", and it is thought that half the gin and almost a third of the tea entering the country was handled by the gangs of smugglers in Kent and Sussex. Neither harsh punishments nor strengthening of the coastguard could stop the well-organized smugglers, until 1840 when the Government finally employed their strongest weapon: a drastic reduction in taxes.
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Glynde - Glyndebourne Opera House
The Glyndebourne Opera House opened in 1934 and frequently features operas by Mozart.
South Downs Way
Walkers will enjoy following the South Downs Way begins in Eastbourne.
This national trail is 106 miles / 171 kilometers long and is the only national trail open to horse-riders, cyclists and walkers. The path crosses the Sussex Downs, through rolling valleys and deep woodland. An alternative path follows the coastline between Beachy Head and Seven Sisters. The trail then continues into Hampshire, passing Beacon Hill and ends in Winchester.
This national trail is 106 miles / 171 kilometers long and is the only national trail open to horse-riders, cyclists and walkers. The path crosses the Sussex Downs, through rolling valleys and deep woodland. An alternative path follows the coastline between Beachy Head and Seven Sisters. The trail then continues into Hampshire, passing Beacon Hill and ends in Winchester.
Boxgrove Priory
Beyond Duncton Hill, on a side road off the A27, lies Boxgrove. Its priory church (1120-1220) shows the transition from Norman to Early English, and boasts a notable 16th C ceiling fresco by Lambert Bernard.
Boxgrove Priory
Church Lane
Boxgrove PO18 0ED
England
Church Lane
Boxgrove PO18 0ED
England
Parking
Free
Disabled
Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Duncton Hill (Littleton Down)
Southeast of Petworth, after crossing the River Rother, is the highest point of the Sussex South Downs, Duncton Hill or Littleton Down (837ft/255m).
Midhurst, England
Midhurst (6mi/10km west of Petworth) is a delightfully-situated small town on the Rother with the enormous ruins of a Tudor manor house; nearby is Cowdray Park with a golf course and attractive trees.
Midhurst is also home to an array of buildings with 15th and 16th century frames. The town has a great deal of history to share with visitors as well as busy shops and restaurants.
Midhurst is also home to an array of buildings with 15th and 16th century frames. The town has a great deal of history to share with visitors as well as busy shops and restaurants.
Wayfarer's Walk
The 70mi/113km trail runs through the Hampshire countryside, from Emsworth, along the Solent Coast, north over Portsdown, through the Meon Valley, past Watership Down and on to Inkpen Beacon, near Newbury in Berkshire.
Wilmington, England
The A27, which extends along the north side of the South Downs from Eastbourne to Brighton, offers a convenient way of obtaining an impression of this range of hills and some of its attractive towns and villages. The first stop should be made at Wilmington (7mi/11km from Eastbourne), with the remains of a Benedictine priory which now houses a small museum of rural life.
The Long Man of Wilmington is a massive chalk figure that is considered the guardian of the town.
The Long Man of Wilmington is a massive chalk figure that is considered the guardian of the town.
Long Man
(South Downs)
The Long Man of Wilmington, a gigantic figure cut out of the chalk hillside and standing out clearly from the grass-covered slope, is a truly impressive sight. It is similar to the Cerne Abbas chalk figure in Dorchester, but, at a height of more than 230ft/73m, is a good 33ft/10m taller. The figure is depicted supporting itself on either side with a staff, like the edges of a picture, and poses a puzzle. Its age and origin are unknown, but it probably dates from Saxon times (seventh century) and represents the heathen god Wotan. This is contradicted by the fact that it has been tolerated for so long by the monks of Wilmington Abbey; perhaps the pious brothers carved it themselves "for fun", as an old verse says. The first reference to this giant chalk figure occurs in 1764.
