INTRODUCTION About the South Downs Way History 9 - How difficult is the path? 10 - How long do you need? 10 When to go 13 - Seasons 13 - Festivals and annual events 14 Temperature 16 - Rainfall 16 - Daylight hours 16 PART 1: PLANNING YOUR WALK Practical information for the walker Route finding 17 - Accommodation 18 - Food and drink 21 Money 22 - Walking companies & baggage transfer 23 Information for foreign visitors 24 - Mountain biking 26 Taking dogs along the Way 26 - Disabled access 27 Budgeting 27 Itineraries Which direction? 29 - Suggested itineraries 29 - Highlights 29 Village and town facilities 30 - Best day and weekend walks 35 What to take Footwear 37 - Clothes 37 - First-aid kit 38 - General items 39 Camping gear 39 - Money 40 - Maps 40 - Recommended reading 41 - Sources of further information 41 Getting to and from the South Downs Way Getting to Britain 42 - Local transport 45 - Public transport map 48 PART 2: MINIMUM IMPACT WALKING & OUTDOOR SAFETY Minimum impact walking Economic impact 49 - Environmental impact 50 Access 52 - The Countryside Code 53 Outdoor safety and health Avoidance of hazards 54 - Footcare 55 Sunburn, Hypothermia & Hyperthermia 55 Weather forecasts 56 - Dealing with an accident 56 PART 3: THE ENVIRONMENT & NATURE Conservation of the South Downs Government agencies 57 - Conservation organisations 59 - Geology 60 Flora and fauna Mammals 61 - Reptiles 62 - Trees 63 Butterflies 64 - Flowers 66 - Birds 69 PART 4: ROUTE GUIDE AND MAPS Using this guide 71 Winchester 73 E Winchester to Exton 79 (Chilcomb 80, Cheriton 81) W Exton to Winchester 86 (Exton 86, Meonstoke 86) E Exton to Buriton 88 (Meon Springs 91, East Meon 91) W Buriton to Exton 95 (Buriton 95, Petersfield 95) E Buriton to Cocking 103 (South Harting 104) W Cocking to Buriton 106 (Cocking 106, Midhurst 107) E Cocking to Amberley 109 (Heyshott 111, Graffham 112, Upwaltham 114, Sutton/Bignor 115, Bury 117, Houghton Bridge 117) W Amberley to Cocking 118 (Amberley 120, Arundel 121) E Amberley to Steyning 126 (Storrington 127) W Steyning to Amberley 133 (Steyning 134, Bramber 137) E Steyning to Pyecombe 138 (Truleigh Hill 139, Fulking 140, Poynings 142) W Pyecombe to Steyning 143 (Pyecombe 143) E Pyecombe to Southease 146 (Clayton 146, Ditchling 147, Plumpton 149, Lewes 150, Rodmell 158) W Southease to Pyecombe 160 (Southease 158) E Southease to Alfriston 162 (West Firle 162, Berwick 165) W Alfriston to Southease 168 (Alfriston 168) E Alfriston to Eastbourne (coastal route) 170 (Litlington 170, Westdean & Exceat 174, Seven Sisters Country Park 174, Birling Gap 175, Beachy Head 176, Meads 178) W Eastbourne to Alfriston (coastal route) 178 E Alfriston to Eastbourne (inland route) 180 (Jevington 182) W Eastbourne to Alfriston (inland route) 182 Eastbourne 183 APPENDICES GPS & what3words waypoints 188 Map symbols key 191 Walking with a dog 192 Distance chart 194 INDEX196 OVERVIEW MAPS & PROFILES198.