South Downs National Park in England, United Kingdom - map and visitor information

Research checked: 2026-10-24. Check linked official notices before travel.

South Downs National Park in southern England is a landscape of chalk hills, wooded country and the Seven Sisters coast. Choose a section of the South Downs Way for a ridge walk, or start at Exceat for the Cuckmere valley. Plan for a particular destination: parking, visitor facilities and overnight stays have separate operators and conditions.

Chalk ridges, river valleys and the coast

• South Downs Way: the long-distance route between Winchester and Eastbourne also works as a framework for shorter walks.
• Seven Sisters Country Park: explore the Cuckmere valley below the chalk hills, with a visitor center at Exceat.
• Western Weald: woodlands, hedgerows and pastures add a different setting to the open chalk ridge.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Cliffs, tides and navigation

At the Seven Sisters, keep well away from both cliff edges and cliff bases. Falls can happen without warning. At Birling Gap, check tides before going onto the beach and keep the exit steps in sight. Read the National Trust's Birling Gap safety guidance before a coastal visit.

Do not try to cross the Cuckmere river mouth as a walking shortcut. Strong currents can sweep people toward the sea. Follow the signed coastal route around the river. Take a route map; phone reception is not a reliable navigation plan.

Respect farms and wildlife

Use public paths and permitted access areas. A national park boundary does not make all land available for every activity. Keep dogs controlled around livestock and follow local signs. Carry out litter and dog waste. Do not light fires or bring disposable barbecues into the countryside.

Plan overnight stays and equipment hire

Arrange campsite accommodation with the operator before setting out. Countryside walking access does not include a general right to camp. Seven Sisters Country Park offers mobility scooter loans for visitors aged 14 or older; advance booking is advised. A scooter loan does not give access to every route.

Maps, location, and access

The national park extends across southern England from the Hampshire side toward the Sussex coast. The South Downs Way links Winchester with Eastbourne, but you do not need to walk its full length for a day visit. Pick a start and finish before arranging transport.

For the Cuckmere valley, use Seven Sisters Country Park at Exceat, postcode BN25 4AD. Birling Gap is a separate National Trust destination south of the A259 at East Dean, postcode BN20 0AB. Its beach access uses steps, and its parking conditions differ from Exceat. Neither location is an entrance for the entire national park.

Nearby parks from the western end

• New Forest National Park: a road option beyond the Winchester end of the Downs, with the M27 and A337 providing an approach to Lyndhurst and Brockenhurst.
• Royal Victoria Country Park: at Netley Abbey near Southampton, beside Southampton Water. Navigate to SO31 5RA for its vehicle access.

Choose a trail section or a valley walk

The South Downs Way covers 100 miles (160 kilometers). For a shorter day, select one mapped section and allow for travel between the trail and your return transport. Accommodation may lie below the ridge, so include the extra descent and climb in an overnight walking plan. Use the official trail guide and map links to choose the section.

Cyclists and horse riders must use the Jevington route at the eastern end of the South Downs Way. The Seven Sisters branch is for walkers. Do not follow a walking itinerary onto the cliffs with a bicycle.

At Exceat, the Easy Access Trail follows the valley toward the beach, approximately 4 kilometers round trip. This offers a different outing from the steep cliff-top route. Check the surface and final beach approach against your mobility needs.

Facilities and accessible visits

Seven Sisters Country Park has a visitor center, takeaway refreshments, toilets and a Changing Places toilet near the visitor center and north car park. There are no toilets at its beach or along the cliffs. Plan a toilet stop before starting a coastal walk.

The park's accessibility information and scooter booking details explain the equipment available for the valley path. Loan scooters cannot be taken into Friston Forest. Birling Gap has its own café and toilets; access to its shingle beach involves a staircase, so a valley path and a beach visit are different access choices.

About the South Downs

A national park in a working landscape

The South Downs gained national park status in 2010 after a long campaign. Farms, villages and historic routes remain part of the protected landscape. Along the South Downs Way, places such as Chanctonbury Ring preserve evidence of Iron Age settlement.

Chalk grassland, woods and coastal habitats

Chalk grassland supports wildflowers and butterflies, including Adonis blue and chalk hill blue. Woodland, lowland heath and river valleys provide other habitats across the park. Along the Sussex Heritage Coast, seabirds include kittiwakes and fulmars. Watch from established paths without expecting guaranteed sightings.

Contact and destination enquiries

Use the South Downs National Park Authority website for park information. For Seven Sisters Country Park, call +44 1323 364690; the advertised general enquiry phone hours are weekdays, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. This contact serves the country park, rather than every property within the national park.