South Downs Walking and Wine
- Sample award-winning sparkling wines at chic Sussex vineyard estates
- Walk the best sections of the South Downs Way National Trail
- The famous chalk cliffs of the Seven Sisters and Beachy Head
- Arundel with its magnificent castle and pretty cobbled streets
- Stay in cosy B&B's bursting with English charm and character
Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive ArundelArundel has a direct train service from London (only 1.5 hours), so we highly recommend getting to Arundel early or booking an extra night to fully explore this charming little town that has arguably one of the most impressive castles in the UK. We offer a loop walk on Day 2 that lets you see the sights and have time to visit the castle but it's worth mentioning that the Tinwood wine estate (one of the most famous vineyards in Sussex) is a 15-minute taxi journey away so you could opt to spend the day here instead (information on how to get there is provided in your information pack).

Iain and Lucie welcome you to their warm and friendly guest house situated in a peaceful setting just a short walk from Arundel Castle, and the High Street with its range of independent shops, pubs and restaurants. They are able to accommodate up to 14 guests in a choice of 7 double/twin bedrooms offering en-suite bathrooms or shared facilities. Their comfortable rooms offer free WiFi, TV, complimentary tea, coffee, biscuits and water, and their non en-suite rooms come with fluffy bathrobes and slippers to use during your stay.

Situated in the heart of the beautiful West Sussex market town of Arundel, The Swan Hotel is a traditional country pub dating back to 1759. From our spot opposite the historic Arundel Town Quay, we specialise in delicious food, boutique accommodation and a warm welcome, combining classic heritage with modern comfort for an outstanding pub experience.breakfast and free WiFi are included Each of our rooms offers a truly comfortable night’s sleep, and is individually styled with a riverside theme. Breakfast and free WiFi are included.
A gentle loop walk to kick things off ensuring you have plenty of time to explore Arundel and its magnificent castle. This popular scenic river walk starts at the museum and heritage centre and heads around the surrounding forests and marshes of Arundel. There is a nice riverside pub for a quick refreshment spot along the way!
Ascent: +195m / Descent: -170m
Alternatively, if you arrived early on Day 1 and done this walk already and explored the castle you can opt to spend the day visiting the Tinwood Wine Estate which is a 15-minute taxi journey away.

Iain and Lucie welcome you to their warm and friendly guest house situated in a peaceful setting just a short walk from Arundel Castle, and the High Street with its range of independent shops, pubs and restaurants. They are able to accommodate up to 14 guests in a choice of 7 double/twin bedrooms offering en-suite bathrooms or shared facilities. Their comfortable rooms offer free WiFi, TV, complimentary tea, coffee, biscuits and water, and their non en-suite rooms come with fluffy bathrobes and slippers to use during your stay.

Situated in the heart of the beautiful West Sussex market town of Arundel, The Swan Hotel is a traditional country pub dating back to 1759. From our spot opposite the historic Arundel Town Quay, we specialise in delicious food, boutique accommodation and a warm welcome, combining classic heritage with modern comfort for an outstanding pub experience.breakfast and free WiFi are included Each of our rooms offers a truly comfortable night’s sleep, and is individually styled with a riverside theme. Breakfast and free WiFi are included.
A transfer will collect you today and take you to the 6000-acre family-run Wiston Wine Estate. Enjoy a scheduled tour via its North Farm, where you will hear the origins story of the estate and see a working winery with a traditional Champagne coquard press, tank and barrel halls. The tour finishes with a tutored tasting of a selection of their award-winning wines in the tasting room.
After the session is finished, take a peaceful stroll on the South Downs Way path via the Chanctonbury ring, a prehistoric hill fort that is a popular photographer's spot. Depending on where your staying, the walk ends at your accommodation in Steyning or Bramber.
Ascent: +155m / Descent: -235m

Situated just 5 minutes from the Town Centre, and 10 minutes from the nearest beach, Hill View B&B offers comfortable rooms. Guests have also access to a beautiful half acre garden to relax in the evening. For breakfast, when in season, there is the chance to enjoy fresh fruit, straight from the garden.

This family run hotel offers comfortable accommodation in a central location. There is a lovely English Garden at the rear of the property. All rooms are en-suite, except one room which has a private bathroom. All have flat screen TV, Sky with all the movie, sports and documentary channels, as well as tea and coffee facilities.

Springwells exudes the charm of a graded Georgian Historic House nestled at the base of the South Downs. Boasting a great central location, it offers a convenient stroll to the local restaurants and cafes in Steyning (currently they do not offer breakfast so has to be purchased locally). They offer a drying room when the weather is bad and each bedroom is uniquely furnished and has a luxurious king-size bed.
A short transfer will take you from your accommodation in Steyning or Bramber to Devil's Dyke. The Devil's Dyke has tales of folklore in that the Devil dug a dyke through the South Downs so the sea could drown the villages of people that were succumbing to Christianity! In reality, it is just an impressive glacier-cut valley landscape that is one of the highlights of the National Trail. Continue on the South Downs Way passing the famous Jack and Jill windmills, where not too long after you will cut off into Ditchling, a quaint village famed for being a collective hub of creatives over the years (you can see a lot of their inspiration and work in its local museum). A potential quick pitstop for something to eat in the local pub before heading towards the Ridgeview wine estate for a late afternoon wine-tasting session!
The expert team at the Ridgeview estate will lead you on a journey through their vineyards and winery to witness their award-winning wines come to life followed by a guided tasting session overlooking panoramic vistas of their Chardonnay vines. After the wine-tasting session is complete, a taxi will then take you to your accommodation in Lewes in the evening.
Ascent: +265m / Descent: -420m

Aleberry B&B is in the vibrant Cliffe area of Lewes in East Sussex but offers a peaceful retreat, the guest rooms are simply furnished but have all the amenities you require for a lovely overnight stay. The accommodation is all on the first floor, with a bathroom offering tub and separate shower shared between the bedrooms. There are plenty of restaurants and pubs to choose from in Lewes for your evening meal.

Alison and Vladimir invite you to enjoy a relaxed and comfortable stay with them in the heart of Lewes. Their home is just a few minutes’ walk from the antique shops, restaurants and cafes in the centre of town. Their rooms are comfortably furnished with all the amenities you would require.
Follow a riverside path out of Lewes to join the South Downs Way and then cross the River Ouse. Just before joining the trail, you may wish to take a short detour to the ancient church of St. Peter which has an unusual Norman tower and is located in a lovely peaceful spot. On the trail now, you have coastal views to the south, down to Cuckmere Haven. At Bostall Hill you begin to descend slowly to the picture-postcard village of Alfriston.
Full of medieval Tudor-era buildings complete with timber frames and beams, Alfriston is a popular place in the South Downs National Park. Attractions include; St Andrew's Church (aka the Cathedral of the South Downs), the iconic George Inn (dating to the 14th century), and a plethora of boutique shops and quaint cafés offering delicious cream teas. Wander the cobbled streets and take it all in.
Ascent: +205m / Descent: -245m

A 19th-century colonial-style country house, run by a small passionate team. Expect country charm, log beams, roaring log fires and rustic-chic rooms. A real home away from home that is perfectly located for exploring Alfriston and Rathfinny Wine Estate.

This 14th century country house hotel, is set in the heart of the Sussex Downs in the pretty village of Alfriston. Set in four acres of fabulous gardens, Deans Place Hotel has all the facilities you require. It boasts 36 bedrooms, a public bar, and guest lounges. The hotel is home to the locally renowned, Rosette-awarded, Dining Room. It also offers an outdoor seasonal swimming pool (available from May to September).

Situated in a peaceful, rural location with breath-taking views of the Cuckmere Valley in East Sussex, Riverdale House is a rare blend of elegant period accommodation and relaxed, laid back atmosphere. Each of their five rooms has been designed to provide luxury and comfort within the period setting. All rooms have private en suite facilities, flat screen television with integrated DVD players, tea and coffee making facilities, hot water bottles, hairdryers and comfortable beds.
Today leave your accommodation in Alfriston and enjoy a relaxing loop walk around the Rathfinny Wine Estate. Rathfinny is a family-owned Estate, that produces some of the world’s finest sparkling wines from its south-facing slopes in the heart of the South Downs National Park.
At the estate, they offer a fantastic self-guided tour around their vineyards that you can complete in your own company throughout the year. As you will be spending the day here, we recommend booking lunch or dinner at their "Tasting Room Restaurant" or their "Flint Barns Dining Room". They do delicious food that pairs perfectly with their own sparkling wines! They also have a "Cellar Door" where you can taste and purchase bottles should you wish! For times on the day you are due to visit and more information visit: https://rathfinnyestate.com/book/
Ascent: +215m / Descent: -205m

A 19th-century colonial-style country house, run by a small passionate team. Expect country charm, log beams, roaring log fires and rustic-chic rooms. A real home away from home that is perfectly located for exploring Alfriston and Rathfinny Wine Estate.

This 14th century country house hotel, is set in the heart of the Sussex Downs in the pretty village of Alfriston. Set in four acres of fabulous gardens, Deans Place Hotel has all the facilities you require. It boasts 36 bedrooms, a public bar, and guest lounges. The hotel is home to the locally renowned, Rosette-awarded, Dining Room. It also offers an outdoor seasonal swimming pool (available from May to September).

Situated in a peaceful, rural location with breath-taking views of the Cuckmere Valley in East Sussex, Riverdale House is a rare blend of elegant period accommodation and relaxed, laid back atmosphere. Each of their five rooms has been designed to provide luxury and comfort within the period setting. All rooms have private en suite facilities, flat screen television with integrated DVD players, tea and coffee making facilities, hot water bottles, hairdryers and comfortable beds.
Saving the best walk until last, this is the most iconic walk on the South Downs via the serene Cuckmere Valley and the impressive coastal scenery of the Seven Sisters and Beachy Head. The first section of the walk is through woodland passing a few quaint old houses and hamlets along the way. The path opens up at the Saltmarsh giving you your first spectacular coastal view. The Seven Sisters roll away in front of you as you stroll along the cliff tops. There's the opportunity to stop for a swim at the Birling Gap or to grab an ice cream and enjoy the view. The grassy cliff path undulates to Beachy Head, a spectacular chalk cliff with panoramic views in all directions. Slightly further on is the official end of the South Downs Way at Meads Village.
Ascent: +425m / Descent: -425m
This walk can be shortened by 3km (1.5 miles) via a short bus journey into Eastbourne from Holywell.

Affectionately known as The White Palace, the Grand Hotel Eastbourne commands breathtaking views of the sea and the dramatic cliffs at Beachy Head. Grand by name but not by nature, The Grand Hotel in Eastbourne is not only the only one of the best hotels to be found in any English seaside town, they are also one of the friendliest.

The Pier Hotel is situated on the elegant Eastbourne seafront opposite the iconic Eastbourne Pier. Majority of the rooms are newly refurbished in 2019 giving a modern twist to this beautiful Victorian building. There's a laid-back grill restaurant and bar with terrace dining, and a tearoom.
After breakfast, your tour will come to an end. Proceed with your onward travel plans.
Other Information
Is it for me?Perfect for those looking for a fantastic countryside escape! On this slower adventure walking tour, you can expect to sample some delicious sparkling English wines at chic Sussex vineyard estates while enjoying largely a mix of easy-going and moderate walking on the best bits of the South Downs Way National Trail (6-12 miles a day).
Slower Adventures | Where walking and cycling meet easy-going exploring, our Slower Adventures are the perfect combination. Most days are filled with picturesque journeys with some free time to dive into the destination and experience the people, local food and culture as you go.
Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&B’s, inns, and guesthouses.
Solo Travellers
As a guide, we would suggest that the minimum age of traveller this holiday would be suitable for is: 5 Years
The South Downs Walking and Wine tour is graded from easy to moderate and the path is generally on good surfaces throughout with gentle and gradual gradients. Some sections can be undulating with a few moderately steep sections but we've kept them in as we feel these are the best sections of the South Downs Way National Trail. The final walk along the tops of the iconic Seven Sisters Cliff is the longest/most challenging but is also the most rewarding (around 20km but can be shortened with public transport towards the end).
We choose country hotels, inns, guesthouses, and B&Bs to ensure that you enjoy every minute of your stay. They are a mix of superior and comfortable quality accommodations on this tour. In some cases, there aren't superior quality hotels in certain towns/villages of the South Downs or we believe the local hosts at guesthouses provide a better experience for our customers. It is also worth mentioning that on the South Downs Way, you may at times be staying in old traditional buildings that might have slightly smaller room sizes than others.
Single and Solo Rooms
If you require single or solo rooms we will do our best to accommodate you although there is a single room supplement payable and due to the nature of the accommodations and luggage transfers it is a lot more expensive.
Meals
Breakfast is included each morning. Lunch and dinner are not included so you are free to choose from the available options. Most of your accommodations will be more than happy to provide a packed lunch on request and this can be booked on arrival. Dinner is available either at your accommodation or at nearby pubs or restaurants.
Additional Nights
You may wish to take some extra nights along the route, either to rest or for those with plenty of energy to explore some of the other walking opportunities nearby. We recommend extra nights at:
- Arundel - Staying an extra in Arundel is a great option, it's a quirky town with plenty to see and do. Not too far from the popular town of Chichester (An hour by public transport or 15 mins by taxi). The Tinwood Wine Estate is also located on the outskirts of Chichester and offers wine tasting sessions.
You will be following large sections of the South Downs Way which is very well well-waymarked. We also provide comprehensive route notes, maps and GPX tracks through our smartphone app, so you shouldn’t have any problem finding your way.
- B&B's, guesthouses and boutique hotels
- Breakfasts
- Daily Baggage Transfers
- Transfers as per your itinerary
- Wine tasting sessions at the Wiston and Ridgeview Wine Estates
- Access to maps, GPX tracks and daily route information with the Macs Adventure smartphone navigation app
- All your trip documents provided digitally through your online Macs “My Account”
- 24/7 Emergency telephone support from our UK office
- Travel to Arundel
- Travel from Eastbourne
- Dinners and lunches
- Personal equipment
- Travel insurance
- Wine tasting session at Rathfinny (it's a self-guided tour)
- Additional nights before, during or after your holiday
Booking in advance is recommended or some flexibility may be required to ensure you can experience the wine-tasting tours - The vineyard's tasting session schedules change year on year and if you are booking last minute, the tours may already be full.
This walking holiday can be enjoyed from April to September. Summer can be hot on the South Coast and very busy, especially over the school holidays. We would advise walking in the spring to see the wildflowers that coast the fields you walk through.
In Lewes if you would like to visit Harvey's Brewery Shop they are open from Tue-Sat, Anne of Cleves House is open Tue-Sun and the 15th Century Book Shop is open on a Sat and Sun only.
By nature, the south coast of England is prone to varying types of weather throughout the year. Always be prepared for changeable conditions when walking in England. Waterproofs are essential all year round. In the summer months, be prepared for hot weather also, with a lack of shade on the paths - ensure you have sunscreen. in the shoulder seasons of March or October expect colder temperatures (it’s not a bad idea to pack some gloves or a woolly hat).
Before you set off each day, it is also important that you pay attention to any weather warnings in place. We recommend visiting https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ (the UK’s official source for weather warnings). Do not attempt to walk any sections if any serious weather warnings are in place.
Arundel has regular direct train service from London Victoria (1 hour and 30 minutes).
Eastbourne has regular direct train service to London Victoria (1 hour and 30 minutes) for all connecting transport links to the rest of the UK or airports.
Your bags will be transferred from your accommodation as per your itinerary and moved onto your next overnight accommodation.
At Macs Adventure we work in partnership with many luggage transfer providers who set a limit on how many bags/suitcases they will transfer per person, and also the weight of the bag/suitcase. Ninety-nine per cent of the time they will only transfer one bag per person, but the allowed weight ranges from anything between 15 and 20kg per bag, depending on the tour you are taking. We do not have control over the limits that these providers set. Therefore, it is very important that you read the luggage information specific to your tour before departure. If you do not adhere to these limits there is a great possibility that you will be charged locally both for extra bags or if they are too heavy. This limitation can be a challenge, especially as airlines generally have limits that are higher. However, our luggage providers have reasons for these limits (usually due to the Health and Safety of their employees) which we must respect.
As our tours are self-guided and customers are free to book on any date they wish, it may mean that certain wine-tasting sessions may not be running on your preferred dates. Our adventure specialists will advise at the time of booking.
Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants), sun hat, and sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack.
It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.
In most cases, we attempt to guarantee at least one wine-tasting session at the vineyards - it may be that due to certain dates/closed events, some may not be possible based on your walking dates. The sessions booked are the standard wine-tasting sessions on offer the day you book. They are open to the public and are not private, therefore you must ensure you show up at the time scheduled in your trip documents. Macs will book any included session on your behalf.
Included sessions
On Day 3 - A transfer will take you from your accommodation in Arundel directly to the Wiston Wine Estate (for your scheduled tasting session) - normally around 11:00.
On Day 4 - After your walk from Devil's Dyke to Ditching, you will visit the Ridgeview Wine estate for a late afternoon tasting session - normally around 16:00. A taxi will then take you to your accommodation in Lewes when you have finished.
Below are the optional sessions that you may wish to book yourself:
Optional sessions:
On Day 1 - If you arrive early to Arundel, you could visit the Tinwood estate which is around a 15-minute taxi journey away. (information provided in your information pack on how to get here).
On Day 6 - The Rathfinny Wine Estate offers a self-guided walking tour of their Wine Estate (which is the walk you will do today). However, you can also opt to book a scheduled tasting session with them if you wish.
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. This has meant 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!
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