South Downs Way

Did you know that the region of Sussex, with its warm climate and chalky soils, has been nurturing some of England's oldest vineyards for years and is known for passionately crafting exceptionally high-quality sparkling wines that are often compared to Champagne? So much so, they have gained worldwide acclaim and the region has recently (in 2022) gained a prestigious Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status, meaning it’s in the esteemed company of the likes of the aforementioned Champagne region and others such as Bordeaux, Burgundy and Tuscany!

Macs Adventure has been organising self-guided walking tours on the South Downs Way since 2010. Being one of the UK's classic National Trails, the South Downs Way proved popular from the outset. The trail is favoured by National Trail 'baggers', solo walkers, first-timers, and those who are simply looking for a walking holiday in a peaceful yet historical corner of England. 

We offer flexible, tailor-made South Downs Way trips staying in comfortable B&Bs, guesthouses, and inns. We carry your bags to lighten your load so you can concentrate on simply putting one foot in front of the other and enjoying all this delightful corner of England has to offer. You can book with confidence that we have it all covered for you. 

We want to showcase our expertise, by giving you all the resources you will ever need. Our Destination Specialists are waiting to answer your questions. On the route, we use high-quality digital mapping to make sure you find your way, as well as a host of tips, facts and recommendations to enrich your South Downs Way journey. With over a decade of experience in organising walking vacations in the South Downs, and over 30 customer reviews on our tour pages, you can be sure that we are the ideal people to book your adventure with. 

The South Downs National Park

The 100 mile South Downs Way is the only National Trail that is completely within the bounds of a National Park. Unsurprisingly, this National Park is called the South Downs National Park. It is the UK's youngest National Park, having been founded in 2010. Despite its relative youth, the trails in the park, and those that make up the Way are ancient, with some sites dating back over 5,000 years. The National Park is just a 1-hour journey from London, making it an easily-accessible escape to the countryside. Much of the Park's trails follow a chalk path ridge, with its elevated position, the ridge offers walkers fantastic views over the English Channel and the Isle of Wight.  

Winchester

The South Downs Way starts in the historic city of Winchester. Famous for its Gothic cathedral, one of the largest in Europe, it is also the resting place of novelist Jane Austen who died in Winchester in 1817. The city is home to the UK's largest farmer's market. Browse over 100 stalls selling artisan bread, cheese and ice-cream, just to mention a few of the goodies on offer! The market takes place twice a month, usually the second and last Sunday of each month. 

The Seven Sisters

The Seven Sisters is the name given to a series of white chalk cliffs. Located within the Seven Sisters Country Park, which in turn is located within the South Downs National Park. The final stage of the South Downs Way follows a path across the top of the chalk cliffs, offering stunning panoramic views of the cliffs and the Channel. Being largely unspoilt compared to similar landscapes, The area is a popular recreation spot for walkers, photographers and bird watchers, amongst others. The cliffs are being naturally eroded by the sea, and every year they shrink by about 30-40 cm, meaning these cliffs won't be around in their current beauty forever!