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The South Downs
Chalk downland from Lewes to the Seven Sisters, and the country houses and gardens around Midhurst and Petworth
The South Downs National Park stretches for about 140 km from Winchester in Hampshire to Eastbourne in East Sussex, across rolling chalk downland, woods, heath and river valleys. It is England's newest national park, and the South Downs Way National Trail runs its whole length. The park's boundary leaves out the coastal towns, so Brighton, Worthing and Eastbourne sit just outside.
This guide covers two parts of it. In the east, the county town of Lewes has a Norman castle and Tudor house, and the Ouse and Cuckmere valleys lead to Charleston, Alfriston and the white cliffs of the Seven Sisters and Beachy Head. In the west, the market towns of Midhurst and Petworth lie among country houses, gardens and the Weald & Downland Living Museum.
- National park since2010England's newest national park; Wikipedia gives its designation as Mar 31, 2010
- LengthAbout 140 kmWinchester to Eastbourne; the South Downs Way runs the whole length (Wikipedia)
- From London60 to 90 minutesBy train from Waterloo or Victoria into the park, according to the National Park Authority
- Bus day ticket£10 adult, £20 familySouth Downs Discovery ticket, a day's unlimited travel on most local buses (National Park Authority)
Areas
2 places to begin
Each area has its own mini guide with 24 sights, places to eat and drink, and where to stay across the city.
Lewes and the Seven Sisters
Lewes Castle and Anne of Cleves House, the Bloomsbury houses, Alfriston and the white cliffs from Cuckmere Haven to Beachy Head
Open the mini guide →
Midhurst and Petworth
Petworth House and its deer park, the Cowdray ruins, the Weald & Downland Living Museum and Bignor's Roman mosaics
Open the mini guide →Sights
Highlights across The South Downs
A sight from each area. Every area guide lists the rest, with directions and official links.
Lewes Castle
Norman castle built after the Battle of Hastings; climb the keep for views, then visit the Museum of Sussex Archaeology next door.
Petworth House and Park
Late 17th-century house with Grinling Gibbons carvings and many Turner paintings, in a Capability Brown deer park with fallow deer.
Anne of Cleves House
Timber-framed 15th-century house given to Anne of Cleves after her marriage to Henry VIII ended; Tudor kitchen and garden.
Cowdray Ruins
Ruins of an early Tudor house visited by Henry VIII and Elizabeth I, gutted by fire in 1793; open for events and tours.
Lewes Priory
Ruins of the Priory of St Pancras, founded in the 11th century by William de Warenne and dissolved in 1537, with a herb garden.
Weald & Downland Living Museum
Open-air museum at Singleton with more than 50 rescued historic buildings, traditional crafts, farm animals and a mill pond.
Southover Grange Gardens
Public gardens of a house built in 1572, in the centre of Lewes; they host events from theatre to beer festivals.
West Dean Gardens
Restored gardens at the foot of the Downs with Victorian glasshouses, a spring garden and a plant nursery.
Photos
1 / 12With kids in The South Downs
Animal attractions, railways, science centres, beaches and caves from our The South Downs guide, grouped by type. We hold no age ratings or child prices: check each place’s own site for age limits, height rules and family tickets.
Animals and wildlife
Drusillas ParkZoo, Lewes and the Seven Sisters
Science and discovery
- South Downs CentreVisitor centre, Midhurst and Petworth
Beaches and swimming
Cuckmere HavenBeach, Lewes and the Seven Sisters
Practical help: travelling with children and where to stay in The South Downs.
Getting there
Arriving in The South Downs
The National Park Authority recommends public transport: trains from London reach the park in 60 to 90 minutes, and buses link stations, villages and attractions. Check the operators for times and fares.
By train
The National Park Authority says regular trains from London Waterloo and London Victoria reach the park in 60 to 90 minutes. Lewes is on the lines to London Victoria, Brighton and Eastbourne; Southease, Berwick, Seaford and Eastbourne are useful for the eastern Downs. Midhurst has no station: Stagecoach buses link it with Chichester and Haslemere.
By bus
The South Downs Discovery ticket gives a day's unlimited travel on most bus operators in East and West Sussex, Brighton & Hove and East Hampshire: £10 for an adult, £8 for a child and £20 for a family of up to five. Brighton & Hove's Breeze buses run to Devil's Dyke, Stanmer Park and Ditchling Beacon, and its Coaster buses link Brighton and Eastbourne along the coast. Stagecoach runs Midhurst to Chichester (60) and Midhurst to Worthing via Petworth (1).
By car
The National Park Authority warns that roads in the park become congested at busy times and encourages public transport. The A27 runs along the foot of the Downs past Lewes; the National Trust's Birling Gap car park, south of the A259 between Eastbourne and Seaford, is pay and display.
Travel details are as published by the National Park Authority, Brighton & Hove Buses and the National Trust (checked Nov 3, 2026). Check the operator before you travel.
Walk the South Downs Way
The National Trail runs the length of the park. In the east it passes the Long Man of Wilmington, Alfriston and the Seven Sisters between Exceat and Eastbourne.
Buses with a Discovery ticket
One day ticket covers most local bus operators, so you can walk one way and ride back. Plan the connections with Traveline.
Take care on the cliffs
The National Trust warns that the chalk cliffs are fragile and can collapse without warning: stay well away from both the edges and the bases.
Best time to go
The South Downs through the year
The downs, cliffs and towns are open all year, but several houses and gardens close in winter. Check each property's own site before you go.
Most houses and gardens are open: Woolbeding Gardens reopen on Apr 15, 2027 and Monk's House on Mar 26, 2027. Glyndebourne's opera festival is its summer season.
Lewes holds the largest Bonfire Night celebrations in the country on 5 November, according to Wikipedia. Expect road closures and crowds.
Quieter walking on the downs and coast. Lewes Castle opens Tuesday to Sunday through the winter, and Uppark reopens for Christmas from 6 December.
FAQ
Good to know before you go
Which towns are in the South Downs National Park?
Lewes, Midhurst and Petworth are inside the park. Brighton, Worthing, Newhaven, Seaford and Eastbourne were left outside its boundary.
How do I get to the Seven Sisters without a car?
Take a train to Seaford or Eastbourne, or a Brighton & Hove Coaster bus between Brighton and Eastbourne; the National Trust says buses call at East Dean, 1.5 miles from Birling Gap.
Is there a day ticket for buses?
Yes. The South Downs Discovery ticket costs £10 for an adult and £20 for a family and covers most bus operators across Sussex and East Hampshire.
Is it safe to walk near the cliff edge?
No. The National Trust warns that the chalk cliffs at Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters can collapse without warning; keep well back from the edge and the foot of the cliffs.
Nearby places
Guides near The South Downs
Our closest other guides, by straight-line distance between centres. Road and rail distances are longer: check a journey planner.
Photo credits
- The South Downs (header): PAUL FARMER, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Lewes and the Seven Sisters: Colin Park, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Midhurst and Petworth: Martyn Pattison, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Lewes Castle: Arild Vågen, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Petworth House and Park: Donar Reiskoffer, CC BY 3.0, source
- Anne of Cleves House: Charlesdrakew, Public domain, source
- Cowdray Ruins: Charlesdrakew at English Wikipedia, Public domain, source
- Lewes Priory: JohnArmagh, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Weald & Downland Living Museum: Adrian Cable, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Southover Grange Gardens: Antiquary, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- West Dean Gardens: Ian Capper, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Monk's House: Oliver Mallinson Lewis from Oxford, United Kingdom, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Bignor Roman Villa: Trevor Harris, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Charleston: Elisa.rolle, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Uppark: EccentricRichard at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Glyndebourne: Wolfiewolf, CC BY 2.0, source
- Woolbeding Gardens: David Smith, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Alfriston Clergy House: The Voice of Hassocks, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Devil's Jumps: Simon Burchell, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Long Man of Wilmington: Shiroi Hane, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Drusillas Park: Andy Li, CC0, source
- Seven Sisters Country Park: Ian Hawfinch, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Cuckmere Haven: ChrisO~enwiki at English Wikipedia, Public domain, source
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits
Plan it properly
More guides for the South Downs
- Where to stay in the South DownsWhich area suits which traveller, with every stay we have checked.
- Getting around the South DownsWith and without a car, from official transport pages.
- When to go to the South DownsMonth-by-month weather, daylight and what to pack.
- Rainy-day ideas in the South DownsIndoor things to do, by area.
- Events in the South DownsFestivals, markets and seasonal events from the organisers.
- Attractions in the South DownsSights and museums with entry and access flags where verified.
Keep exploring