The walk passes through or close to many historic and typically English towns and villages as it wends its way from the Saxon capital of Winchester to the famous white cliffs near to Eastbourne.
It can take several days to walk the South Downs but it is also very rewarding. Local tourist authorities have many lists of B&Bs along or close to the route.
The South Downs Way starts from Winchester, a Cathedral city which is can also be known as the Saxon capital of England.
Within about 10 miles of parts of the South Downs Way lies Portsmouth the historic home of the Royal Navy. On a visit here you should include the narrow streets and ramparts of the historic old city and port as well as climbing to the top of the town's stunning millennium project, the 170-meter-tall Spinnaker Tower. Portsmouth began as a Saxon fishing port to its role as the home of one of the world's best seaborne fighting forces.
The historic Cathedral City of Chichester is also a great place to take a break from the journey. But if you want to do some walking, you could circumnavigate the old town on the Medieval Walls. It takes about an hour to stroll the one and a half miles. The walls are built on Roman foundations going back to the third century. In the middle of it the 1000 year old Chichester Cathedral is a worth a visit. After visiting the Cathedral, maybe you could stop at one of the pubs, the Old Cross is a firm favourite.
Chichester is also home to the Chichester Festival Theatre and to Goodwood where depending on upon the time of year you can experience thoroughbred racing, motor circuits and there is also a golf course. Some say that Goodwood Racecourse is one of the prettiest racetracks in the world.
Then comes Bosham, this is one of the most picturesque reaches of the lovely Chichester Harbour.
Amberley lies next to the River Arun's water meadows and Arundel, on a hill above it, are typically classic English castle towns on the South Downs Way.
A visit to Arundel is a must. There are some quaint holiday cottages in the town which are available to rent, or maybe just book one for a weekend break.It boasts the beautiful 1,000-year-old, Norman Arundel Castle, still home to the Duke of Norfolk, and also its amazing 19th century gothic Cathedral -- the view of both of them from the distance, is like something out of a fairy tale book.
You can actually stay in a castle in Amberley, a tiny, mainly 16th century hamlet with picturesque thatched cottages. Amberley Working Museum an abandoned chalk quarry tells the local history of the industrial revolution.
Arundel has many really excellent restaurants or try the wonderfully eccentric Black Horse Pub in Amberley, one of its best traditional village pubs.
Brighton has been made very fashionable in the early 19th century by the Prince Regent (later George IV). The palace of the Prince Regent, the Royal Pavilion, is one of Britain's most exotic landmarks.
Brighton is known as one of the liveliest british seaside resorts, famous since the Prince Regent made it fashionable in the early 19th century.
Finally we conclude our journey at Eastbourne.
This is one of the most sedate south coast resorts in England. It is renowned for its lovely beaches, these include a few of the only sandy beaches along the south coast.
If you continue to walk the South Downs Way as far as the Eastbourne loop, you will see the magnificent Seven Sisters and Beachy Head itself, a really dramatic and rugged chalk cliff and a truly perfect place to end this picturesque journey.
