Introduction to the Park

The South Downs is one of England’s finest landscapes offering a tranquil haven in the Southeast. The area is presently designated as the East Hampshire Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and the Sussex Downs AONB. Since 1999, the Countryside Agency have been undergoing the process of designating the area as a National Park.

The Downs are steeped in history, with ancient hill-forts, barrows, Roman road and deserted medieval villages representing a long continuity of human influence. 6000 years of traditional land management practices have resulted in a rich diversity of natural habitats including flower-studded chalk grassland, ancient woodland, flood meadow, lowland heath and the particularly rare chalk heathland.

The South Downs is a very popular with those who enjoy outdoor pursuits, such as walking, cycling and horse riding.

Getting There

BY TRAIN The Park is served by rail with stations right across the Park from Winchester to Eastbourne.   

Getting Around the Park

The Park can be explored on foot, bike and by an extensive local network of buses and trains.  You can find out all about local transport at by visiting the Part Authority web site. 

Links

 South Downs National Park
 Park Authority Web Site