South Downs National Park Reviews Summary

Category: National park

Address: United Kingdom

Phone: +441730814810

Rating: 4.7
based on 401 reviews.

Accessibility

Pros:

  • "Very dog friendly too."
  • "If you get tired from walking there is a nice hostel available at the bottom of the hills."
  • "It is in an area density populated so there are quite good connections by road."
  • "Disabled parking near the kiosk and flat tarmac paths go around the hill so if you're in a wheelchair with a good pusher/motor or an all terrain me mobility scooter there's no need to miss out."
  • "Parking is good, has places for horse boxes and cycling too. you can pay with cards and Google pay etc."
  • "Ample free car parking is available at Jack and Jill windmills."
  • "There are many convenient access points to park up (or get the train to) and go and explore."

Cons:

  • "No signage, no improved footpaths."
  • "On exit there were only three pay machines and we queued for HALF AN HOUR to pay and go."
  • "Not great sign posting for walkers that may not know the area."
  • "The car park is a bit steep considering the lack of stuff, but this was irrelevant as both the paying machines were not working anyway."
  • "The car park was very busy when we left about 14.00 hours on a winters day, a nightmare in the summer I imagine."
  • "Parking is a challenge, on a sunny warm day it is really really bad."
  • "Just be aware that the on site car park is rather small and seems to fill up quickly."

Natural Beauty & Views

Pros:

  • "The views are just amazing and the rangers really knowledgeable."
  • "I never get tired of walking through the downs and enjoy their magnificent landscapes."
  • "Nature at its best. Fields, rivers, woodland, wildlife and the sound of spring in the air."
  • "Beautiful part of the country. Wonderful walks and the views are fantastic."
  • "One will get breath-taking views and hidden gems."
  • "The South Downs national park has spectacular views of the English Channel."
  • "The views are simply stunning and as we were lucky with weather you could see for miles."

Cons:

  • "But dare go on a rainy day the hills will have you slipping and sliding everywhere."
  • "Much is a vast ecological wasteland. The birds and the insects are long gone."
  • "I would say that the ugly tower on the top is a bit of a shame...wish they could decorate it with lights or greenery to make it look less ugly..."
  • "However, I did the mighty hike. 26 miles in a day. As I am a bit of a fat bird...I saw nothing but my swelling feet, the driving rain, the lack of wee stops, and the inability to easily buy illicit medication."
  • "Not so peaceful and the evidence of ugly humans becomes apparent in the form of litter and distorted music from phone speakers."
  • "The first part of the walk is marred by the south down parks authority's inexplicable decision to allow a monstrous Irish travellers site to be built in a once beautiful part of the south downs."
  • "Warning warning warning! Barbed wire on gate next to National Trust Devils Duke."

Facilities & Amenities

Pros:

  • "Lovely view over the Downs from Tattenham Corner lots of amenities where you can buy a cup of tea and a snack."
  • "Good place for picnics, dog walking and family outings. Cafe for light refreshments with small amount of outside seating. Toilets."
  • "The parking is free everyday and on Tuesday mornings there is a mini farmer's market with several stalls selling plants and local produce."
  • "A visitors centre, hotel and toilets sit atop Beeachy Head together with a 365 degree view of sea and farmland."
  • "Great walks, rides (Bridle-paths) and drives all through the park."
  • "Loads of free parking around the park."
  • "Stanmer park- can park for free inside the park at various points."

Cons:

  • "Nice place to go for a walk with the dogs, only issue I had was the lack of bins especially dog bins."
  • "Used to have a lot of play equipment, slides climbing bits and one of those big rope swing things. Not much there now at all."
  • "It is very muddy on the footpaths that cross the fields."
  • "Food a bit expensive though, but not unusual for this kind of attraction."
  • "Little to no signage re the area is a National Park."
  • "The footpath was not clearly labelled and we were unsure which side of the fence was the South Downs Way."
  • "Parking can sometimes be an issue (especially on sunny weekends)."

Recreation & Activities

Pros:

  • "Amazing views for lovely picture or just to look at whilst walking. The walks are always fun with the dogs."
  • "Absolutely love this place, you can walk forever, spent many happy hours walking my beautiful Springer."
  • "Discover the ancient Hillforts with amazing views."
  • "Beautiful rolling countryside and small villages worthy of exploration."
  • "Walking around this area is like a reconnect with the natural world and fresh air for the lungs is a welcome escape."
  • "Beautiful Sussex downs - just about perfect for recharging the soul."
  • "Marvellous year-round walking country, good access: 4☆ rights of way."

Cons:

  • "The chalk stones were interesting but not always obvious which direction to take at crossroads!"
  • "Since the noise of the area's launch as an NP the whole thing has been a bit of a damp squib."
  • "Seems those running it are not interested in building its image or giving it its own identity."
  • "Testing, testing.. How to enjoy the South Downs in a wheelchair. It's not easy even if there are no stiles, no kissing gates."
  • "If visiting please don't go near the edge of the cliffs, they are unstable and liable to collapse."
  • "A few missing links mean a crazy 'detour' or a short trespass."
  • "Not a good idea to bring kids at night as some like to play adult games."

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