South Downs, England Attractions
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Counties: West Sussex and East SussexThe 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.
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.
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.
Long Man
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.
Alfriston, England
Picturesque black half-timbered Tudor buildings, leaded oriels, red brick gables and white-painted "weatherboarding" decorate the small village of Alfriston on the banks of the River Cuckmere. The village is dominated by St Andrew's Church, built in the Decorated Style of the 14th century and standing on an artificial hill on the "Tye", as the Saxons called their village greens. In 1977 the half-timbering was carefully restored by the National Trust, an organization dedicated to the upkeep of the countryside and rural estates. The notable Star Inn was built in 1520.Each year in August, the village of Alfriston hosts a one-week festival featuring a variety of entertainment, a car show, river meadow race and a dog show.
Alfriston Clergy House
Clergy House in Alfriston was the first building acquired by the National Trust in 1896. It is a Wealden hall house with a thatched roof. This medieval building is in a remarkable state of preservation.
Drusillas Park
At Drusillas Park both children and adults can enjoy close contact with animals. A railroad trip offers spectacular views of the South Downs. Other highlights include a pottery shop, fudge factory, and gardens.
Glynde - Glyndebourne Opera House
In Beddington a road turns off north from the A27 and heads to Glynde and the famous Glyndebourne Opera House, which was opened in 1934 by John Christie with a performance of Mozart's "Marriage of Figaro". The performances of opera, mainly by Mozart, but also by composers such as Handel, Richard Strauss, Stravinsky and Benjamin Britten, staged here attract numerous music-lovers from all over the world.A trip to the Glyndebourne Festival is a trip back in time. Originally opened in May, 1934 on the estate of opera lover John Christie, the Glyndebourne Festival has gradually expanded to include operas other than Mozart's and to gradually expand its seating to 1,150 although tickets are still difficult to come by. Located near Lewes in Sussex, the festival, which runs form mid-May through mid-August, is known for the formal clothes donned by the guests and the lavish picnics that take place on the lawn during intermissions.
Glyndebourne Opera Festival
This annual three-month festival is one of the most famous in the world. The festival runs from late May to late August and includes a number of large-scale productions performed by some of the best performers in the world, who come together to form star-studded casts.Performances take place in the Christie Estate Theatre and are usually sold out months in advance.
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Bignor
Bignor, about 8mi/12km north of Arundel, has a beautiful thatched 15th century half-timbered cottage, the Old Shop.
Roman Villa and Museum
East of the village of Bignor is a Roman villa, discovered in 1811, with mosaic floors.
Parham House and Gardens
Approximately 8mi/12km east of Bignor stands Parham House, an Elizabethan manor house. Visitors are captivated by the wood-paneled Long Gallery with its richly-embellished five-edged 19th century barrel-vaulted ceiling, and, primarily, by its extensive picture collection. This includes portraits of Zucchero and works by Romney and Gainsborough.
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Duncton Hill
Southeast of Petworth, after crossing the River Rother, is the highest point of the Sussex South Downs, Duncton Hill or Littleton Down (837ft/255m).
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.
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.
Weald - Garden of England
The hilly landscape of the Weald extends between the North and the South Downs, and reaches the coast in the county of Kent, to the east. In this region, often called the "Garden of England", romantic valleys contrast with bright deciduous forests, green pastures, and numerous fruit gardens and hop fields; between these lie attractive villages and small towns, all having managed to retain their own individual charm.
Oast Houses
Characteristic of this hop-growing area are the oast houses, brick buildings with white pointed roofs on whose floors hops used to be laid out to dry. Many of these oast houses have now been converted into desirable second homes. Other local building traditions were "tile hanging", scale-like wood and brick decoration of houses, and "weatherboarding", wooden slats, brightly painted or made weatherproof with a layer of pitch or tar, fixed to the exterior walls of buildings.
Horsham, England
Horsham (pop. 107,300) is the birthplace of Percy Bysshe Shelley. Carfax, the meeting place of five roads, is the central point in Horsham. There is a large park in Horsham featuring a wildlife pond, swimming complex, tennis courts and other leisure facilities.
Leonardslee Gardens
Leonardslee Gardens span over 240 acres scattered with seven lakes. It features spring-blooming plants including rhododendrons, azaleas, magnolias and camellias. There are also deer parks, a rock garden and greenhouses that contain bonsai and other species. Wallabies live semi-wild in parts of the park.
Museum
The Horsham Museum is a timber framed Tudor House containing a labyrinth of rooms full of rare and interesting objects.
Handcross, England
Handcross is located just southeast of Crawley on the A23. This Victorian village has the nearby Nymans Garden and High Beeches Garden as well as specialty shops on High Street.
Nymans Garden
Nymans Garden is a National Trust property located in Handcross. The house consists of a number of architectural styles beginning in the Middle Ages and is the creation of three generations of the Messel family. The extensive grounds include rare and interesting plants, trees and shrubs. There are numerous rhododendrons and alleys surrounded by laurel as well as a hidden sunken garden and a walled garden.
High Beeches Woodland and Water Gardens
The High Beeches Woodland and Water Gardens is a preservation project of the High Beeches Conservation Trust. These woodland and water gardens are one of the finest examples of an early 20th century landscaped, woodland garden.
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.
