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South DownsAbingworth

The Seven Sisters chalk cliffs in Sussex

Green slopes of the Devil's Dyke in the South Downs

Guided Walking

From £249 - 3 to 7 nights

Guided Walking at Abingworth

Holiday reference: AWBOB

Print guided holiday itinerary information

Walk grade logo one Easier Walks Walk grade logo two Medium Walks Harder Walks

Easier Walks have mostly gentle gradients. Medium Walks follow undulating paths with occasional steeper sections. Harder Walks have a few steep sections.

Our experienced guides offer the choice of up to three different walks each day
Choose the option which best suits your interests and fitness; take an Easier Walk one day and switch to a Harder Walk the next
We offer a social activity each evening

2012 - Itinerary One

7 night holidays
Days 1-7: Fri 6 April; Sat 12 May; Sat 16 June; Sat 14, 28 July; Sat 11 Aug; Fri 26 Oct

6 night holiday
Days 2, 4, 6 & 7: Mon 22 Sept - for Solos

4 night holidays
Days 1-4: Fri 6 April; Sat 11 Aug
Days 4-7: Mon 29 Oct

3 night holiday
Days 1-3: Fri 26 Oct
Days 2 & 4: Mon 22 Sept - for Solos
Days 5-7: Tues 10 April; Wed 20 June; Wed 15 Aug
Days 4 & 7: Fri 24 Feb; Fri 2, 16 March; Fri 27 April; Fri 5, 12, 19 Oct; Fri 2, 9 Nov;
Fri 23 Nov - Tinsel & Turkey; Fri 30 Nov & Fri 7 Dec - Tinsel & Turkey for Solos
Days 6 & 7: Tues 25 Sept - for Solos

See below for Itinerary Two

Day 1: Arrival day

Meet your leaders who will tell you more about the walks.

Day 2: Pulborough and the water meadows

Easier Walk: Enjoy a gentle introduction to the Sussex countryside on a walk from Pulborough to Abingworth via the 12th century church at West Chiltington. 5¾ miles with 450 feet of ascent.

Medium Walk: Starting in the village of Fittleworth we'll walk beside the Rother and Arun rivers to the 14th century bridge at Stopham. We'll continue back to Abingworth Hall visiting the tiny church at Wiggonholt. 8¼ miles with 400 feet of ascent.

Harder Walk: A longer route from Stopham Bridge to Abingworth which takes us through woodland and rolling countryside to the tidal limit of the River Arun and the RSPB reserve beside the river. 11 miles with 800 feet of ascent.

Day 3: Rother Valley and Petworth

Easier Walk: Meander along the Rother Valley to the small market town of Petworth. The walk ends with a circuit of the landscaped parkland with the option to visit Petworth House (National Trust, admission payable), or the gardens (free). 6¼ miles with 375 feet of ascent.

Medium Walk: Starting high on the downs we'll descend into the Rother Valley, heading to Petworth over the 'Sheep Downs'. 9¼ miles with 650 feet of ascent.

Harder Walk: The longer walk starts near the River Arun and follows part of the old Wey and Arun canal. Having visited the ancient woodland of 'the Mens' we'll continue through gently undulating countryside to Petworth. 10¾ miles with 925 feet of ascent.

Day 4: Arun Valley

Easier Walk: This pleasant circuit from the historic town of Arundel passes through the landscaped castle grounds, returning beside the River Arun and its wildlife reserve. 6¾ miles and 550 feet of ascent.

Medium Walk: Walk through the grounds of Arundel Castle to the River Arun. Having crossed to the east side of the river we return to Arundel via the village of Burpham. 8½ miles with 650 feet of ascent.

Harder Walk: Starting at Houghton Bridge initially we'll follow the South Downs Way onto Rackham Hill. Here we head south, descending to the River Arun and continuing to Arundel. 12 miles with 850 feet of ascent.

Day 5:

For 3 night holidays arriving today, this is your chance to meet your leaders.

If you have booked a 7 night holiday, today is a free day with no guided walks organised. This is a great opportunity to explore the the South Downs independently - see the Local Area tab for places that you may enjoy visiting.

Day 6: Seven Sisters

Easier Walk: Enjoy glorious sea views on a walk over the undulating chalk cliffs of the Seven Sisters. We start at the village of Friston, head south to the coast, and then follow the cliff-top path to Cuckmere Haven and Exceat. 4¾ miles with 625 feet of ascent.

Medium Walk: The medium walk starts above Eastbourne and heads first to Beachy Head and the Belle Tout lighthouse. Continue over the Seven Sisters to Cuckmere Haven and Exceat. 8 miles with 850 feet of ascent.

Harder Walk: Starting from the village of East Dean walk over the downs to Beachy Head, before the superb walk atop the Seven Sisters cliffs. 10½ miles with 1,375 feet of ascent.

Day 7: Atop the South Downs

Easier Walk: Follow the South Downs Way from Washington to Steyning, enjoying views of the South Coast and visiting the Iron Age hillfort of Chanctonbury Ring. 7 miles with 650 feet of ascent.

Medium Walk: Walk atop the South Downs to Steyning via Cissbury Ring, a huge Iron Age hillfort, the second largest in England. 9¼ miles with 1,050 feet of ascent.

Harder Walk: Enjoy a longer walk over the downs, visiting both Cissbury and Chanctonbury Ring, with glorious views throughout. 12 miles with 1,450 feet of ascent.

2012 - Itinerary Two

7 night holidays
Days 1-7: Fri 30 March; Sat 19 May; Sat 9, 23 June; Sat 7, 21 July; Sat 4, 18 Aug; Sat 1, 15 Sept; Fri 16 Nov

4 night holidays
Days 1-4: Mon 27 Feb; Mon 5, 26 March; Mon 30 April; Sat 19 May; Sat 23 June; Sat 4, 18 Aug; Sat 15 Sept; Mon 1, 8, 15 Oct; Mon 5, 12 Nov; Mon 3 Dec - Tinsel & Turkey
Days 4-7: Mon 2 April; Mon 19 Nov

3 night holidays
Days 1-3: Fri 30 March; Fri 16 Nov
Days 5-7: Wed 23 May; Wed 27 June; Wed 11 July; Wed 8, 21 Aug; Wed 19 Sept

Day 1: Arrival day

Meet your leaders who will tell you more about the walks.

Day 2: South Downs and Sussex villages

Easier Walk: Walk from the traditional village of Amberley back to Abingworth Hall, passing through the grounds of Parham House, a magnificent Elizabethan manor house. 6½ miles with 125 feet of ascent.

Medium Walk: Starting at Houghton Bridge in the Arun Valley we'll follow the South Downs Way over Rackham Hill, enjoying panoramic views over the Weald, before descending back to Abingworth. 9 miles with 650 feet of ascent.

Harder Walk: Walk beside the River Arun from Houghton Bridge to Amberley village then follow the South Downs Way along crest of the downs to Chantry Post, and on to Abingworth.12¼ miles with 875 feet of ascent.

Day 3: Around Petworth

Easier Walk: Walk through the landscaped grounds of Cowdray Park, then continue through attrractive woodland and fields to the market town of Petworth. At the end of the walk there is the the option to visit Petworth House (National Trust, admission payable), or the gardens (free). 6 miles with 475 feet of ascent.

Medium Walk: Follow charming paths above the Rother Valley on a walk from near Midhurst to Petworth, with an optional circuit around the landscaped Petworth Park. 8¾ miles with 750 feet of ascent.

Harder Walk: Enjoy a longer route along the Rother Valley starting to the west of Midhurst and passing Stedham Mill and Cowdray Park on the way to Petworth. 11¾ miles with 975 feet of ascent.

Day 4: Over the South Downs to Ditchling

Easier Walk: Follow part of the South Downs Way on a walk from Clayton to the quaint village of Ditchling, passing the famous 'Jack' and 'Jill' windmills and Ditchling Beacon. 6 miles with 700 feet of ascent.

Medium Walk: Starting high on the downs at Devil's Dyke, a huge dry valley, we'll follow the South Downs Way to Ditchling enjoying outstanding views north over the Weald and south to the coast. 9 miles with 1,350 feet of ascent.

Harder Walk: An outstanding walk along the top of the South Downs from Devil's Dyke to Ditchling Beacon, from where we descend steeply down the northern escarpment to the Ditchling village. 12¼ miles with 1,975 feet of ascent.

Day 5:

For 3 night holidays arriving today, this is your chance to meet your leaders.

Day 6: Glorious Goodwood

Easier Walk: Admire the extensive views over the downs and 'Glorious' Goodwood before descending to the Lavant Valley and the garden (free admission) at West Dean. 6 miles with 750 feet of ascent.

Medium Walk: Ascend onto the downs to enjoy views of the racecourse at 'Glorious' Goodwood and the Weald & Downland open-air museum. We descend to the villages of Charlton and Singleton before climbing over Trundle Hill to the West Dean gardens. 8 miles with 1,000 feet of ascent.

Harder Walk: Enjoy a longer walk over Trundle Hill then west to Kingly Vale, a National Nature Reserve. We return via the village of Stoughton and attractive woodland and downland paths. 12½ miles with 1,825 feet of ascent.

Day 7: Seven Sisters

The Seven Sisters chalk cliffs in Sussex

Harder Walk: Starting from the village of East Dean walk over the downs to the Beachy Head, before the superb walk atop the Seven Sisters cliffs. 10½ miles with 1,375 feet of ascent.

Local transport

On some days the walks start or finish at Abingworth Hall. On other days you’ll be transported to other parts of the South Downs. The cost of all transport to and from the walks is included in the price of your holiday.

Our guests

The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly. There is normally a good mix of ages, of new guests and 'regulars' from Britain and overseas, and of people travelling alone, with a partner or with friends.

In the evenings

Your leaders will inform you about the choice of walks for the next day and answer any questions you may have. After a sociable evening meal you could join in an organised activity such as a quiz or a talk about the local area, relax in the bar or use the Country House facilities.