South Downs National Park

The South Downs National Park is England's newest National Park, having become fully operational in 2011. From rolling hills to bustling market towns, the South Downs National Park’s landscape covers 627 square miles of breathtaking views and hidden gems. A rich tapestry of wildlife, landscapes, tranquillity and visitor attractions.

Both the North and South Downs come together at the Wessex Downs, just inside the Hampshire border at the River Meon valley. The eastern end, where it reaches the coast between Seaford and Beachy Head, produces the spectacular scenery of the Seven Sisters. There are four river valleys which cut through the Downs: from west to east they are the Rivers Arun, Adur, Ouse and Cuckmere.

The South Downs are popular for ramblers with a network of over 2,000 miles of well-signed and easily accessible trails. The principal bridleway, and longest of them at 160km, is the South Downs Way National Trail. The Monarch's Way, having originated at Worcester, crosses the South Downs and ends at Shoreham-by-Sea. There are 9,883 hectares of publicly accessible land to explore. Sports undertaken on the Downs include paragliding, mountain-biking, horse riding and walking.