7 Night South Downs Discover More Tour
Explore Sussex and the South Downs like a local with this fascinating small-group tour. From visiting the legendary Devil’s Dyke and discovering its rich folklore to delving into the Arts and Crafts heritage of Ditchling, your adventure begins in spectacular fashion. Over the course of 5 days, you’ll get to taste award-winning wines at the Wiston Estate, walk through the wildlife haven of Pulborough Brooks, and uncover Roman history at Bignor Villa. There’ll also be a trip to historic Hever Castle, a chance to watch traditional crafts in action at Amberley Museum, plus a scenic ride on the Bluebell Railway.
What you’ll love
- Exclusive small-group tours with expert guides
- Exploring Pulborough Brooks and Devil’s Dyke on foot
- Discovering the area’s rich heritage
- Wine tasting and tour at the Wiston Estate
- Soaking up views of the High Weald from the Bluebell Railway
- A more personalised experience thanks to small group sizes (maximum 15 people)
What’s included
- Comfortable en-suite accommodation in our country house
- Cream tea on arrival day
- Cooked and continental breakfast every morning
- Daily packed lunches
- Three-course evening meals, plus tea & coffee
- Guided sightseeing with an experienced HF Holidays leader
- All transport included in the itinerary
- All entrance fees
- Easy-to-follow routes, maps and information in our Discovery Point if you want to explore independently
Trip Notes
Easy to download as a PDF, our trip notes provide detailed information for every holiday. Please click below to find the trip notes for your departure date.
Enjoy a complimentary cream tea on arrival, served from 4.30pm.
Our holiday begins with a stop at Devil’s Dyke, a site steeped in folklore and whose known history stretches back to the Iron Age. We will take a short walk along the valley to stretch our legs and gain an appreciation of the fabulous Sussex downland. Later, we shall continue on to Ditchling and join a village expert on a walking tour, highlighting the Arts and Crafts heritage of the area which continues to impact local life in the present day.
Situated only a short drive from our base in Abingworth is the Wiston Estate. Spread over 6000 acres of downland, the estate covers a huge landscape of protected woods and farmland. Once there, we will visit the Wiston winery on an award-winning tour with an expert guide. The South Downs are known for their chalky terroir; one which produces exceptional English wines. So, after our tour, there will be a tutored tasting of a selection of Wiston wines before we return to Abingworth Hall.
Discover more about Abingworth Hall and the local area for ideas on how to make the most of your free day.
Built in 1557 and lived in as a family home to this day, Parham House is one of the area’s finest Elizabethan mansions. We will join a specialist house guide for a tour of Parham before enjoying some free time to explore the gardens and grounds. In the afternoon, we’ll pay a visit to RSPB Pulborough Brooks, a true haven for wildlife found only a stone’s throw from our base in Abingworth. Here, we will join a nature expert on a guided walk of the reserve to learn more about the conservation work undertaken by the RSPB team to preserve this special landscape.
Housing some of the most detailed and complete Roman mosaics in the UK, the exhibition and museum at Bignor shine a light on Sussex’s ancient past. We’ll explore the site with a specialist guide to delve into the history of the Villa and the area’s Roman heritage. In the afternoon, we will leap forward over several centuries to find out more about the region’s past at Amberley Museum. The site brings together a range of traditional craftspeople, heritage exhibitions, and more, so there will be plenty to explore on both a guided visit and during some free time.
Today’s trip takes us just over the Kentish border to Hever Castle, once home to the Boleyn family and its most infamous member, Anne. A site expert will join our group here for a private tour of the castle to learn about its storied past and how the team aim to conserve the site today. There will be free time at Hever to enjoy the gardens before we hop aboard the Bluebell Railway to break up our return journey to Abingworth.
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home.
Abingworth Hall
Country living just got cosier at this former farmhouse. Abingworth Hall is just a skip away from the village of Thakeham at the foot of the South Downs – a landscape of ancient woodland, hidden valleys, chalky cliffs, and high-backed hills so deserving of its national park status finally bestowed in 2010. While the views from the doorstep are as wow-worthy as you’d expect, the walking opportunities around the sightseeing greats such as Devil’s Dyke, Seven Sisters Country Park, Kingley Vale, Parham House, and the Clayton Windmills (known locally as Jack and Jill) are equally standout. You’ll also be within easy driving distance of several historic towns and cities, most fabulously Arundel, Chichester, and Brighton.
Rooms
Designed with your comfort in mind, Abingworth Hall has 27 well-appointed guest rooms available in two categories: Classic and Premium.
Classic Rooms are comfortable en-suite guest rooms, ideal for a peaceful night's sleep. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, and shower gel), and a TV.
Premium Rooms are more spacious en-suite guest rooms*. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, body lotion, shower gel), and a 32-inch TV. Extras include bathrobes, slippers, and comfortable mattresses.
We love: The Premium Rooms for views of the impossibly pretty surroundings.
The Choose Your Room service is available at our UK country houses, allowing you the option of choosing and confirming a specific room for an extra charge of £30 per room. This is subject to availability. Upgrade supplements apply.
Check in & check out
You are welcome to check in from 4:00pm at the earliest. On arrival, you’ll enjoy a complimentary cream tea and get to meet your fellow guests, our HF Holidays Leaders, and the rest of the friendly team.
On the day of departure, we kindly ask all guests to check out by 10:00am. You’ll be asked to settle your bill prior to leaving. You may, of course, make a charitable donation to our HF Holidays Pathways Fund if you wish. Please note that we only accept card payments.
Room supplements
| Premium single | Premium double/twin | Choose your room |
| £20 pppn | £20 pppn | £30 per room |
*Views and layout reflect each properties unique character and location
About your stay
A warm welcome
We want you to feel comfortable from the moment you arrive. You’ll find a welcome pack in your room with guest registration forms, menus, order forms for dinners and picnic lunches, the Wi-Fi password, and the front door code. Our houses are locked at night, so we recommend noting the Duty Manager’s number on arrival in case of an emergency (or getting locked out).
Evening entertainment
While evening entertainment varies from house to house, the HF Holidays Big Pub Quiz held after dinner on Wednesdays is a weekly staple. Your HF Holidays Leader may be around for tips on guided and self-guided walking routes as well as visit-worthy local attractions.
Walks talks
Our HF Holidays Leaders host guided walking information briefings before dinner on arrival days. This is followed by a group Walks Talk for information on the following day’s walking delights (held before dinner every evening). Self-guided walking guests are, of course, welcome.
The walking day
Prior to setting off on walks, your HF Holidays Leader will run you through a short safety briefing. There’s also an up-to-date weather forecast on display at the house to ensure you have appropriate clothing and footwear. If you choose to do your own walks or are on a self-guided walking holiday, we ask that you please complete an Independent Walker Card each day. These can be found near the Discovery Point in the house.
Food & drink
Led by experienced chefs, we serve a wide range of dishes made with fresh and seasonal ingredients. We always aim to source the best produce available and use home-grown herbs and vegetables from our own gardens whenever possible. Additionally, we have a licensed bar with beers, soft drinks, and a superb selection of spirits. Full-board comes as standard and includes a cream tea on arrival and a hearty breakfast on departure day.
HF Holidays understands the importance of managing allergens effectively to ensure food is safe for guests with food allergies. Whilst we are always able to confidently inform guests which allergens are present in our ingredients and dishes, we are unable to guarantee absolute freedom from the 14 main allergens in our kitchens. Vegetarian and vegan menu choices are available. If you have allergies, food intolerances, or any special dietary requirements, please inform our reservation team at the time of booking.
Accessibility
For accessibility and assistance information, please contact our expert team on 020 3974 8865 or view the accessibility information online for Abingworth Hall
Getting to Abingworth Hall
Find out more about this location including travel details and room types.
More InformationAddress
Abingworth Hall
Storrington Road
Thakeham
West Sussex RH20 3EF
Tel: +44 (0)1798 813636
By train
The nearest station is Pulborough.
Pulborough station has a short platform, so you’ll need to check the departure boards for which carriage to sit in.
National Rail have up-to-date routes and train times.
By taxi
The six-mile journey from Pulborough railway station takes about 15 minutes.
It’s best to avoid arriving at Pulborough station between 2:50pm and 3:20pm as there may not be any taxis available due to school pick-ups.
For pricing, please contact the taxi company directly.
MJ Cars
You can pre-book a taxi from with MJ Cars*. We recommend booking your taxi at least seven days in advance by contacting:
Tel: +44 (0)1903 745414
Email: mjcars@btconnect.com
A return journey can be arranged on your behalf by the HF Holidays House Manager at Abingworth Hall.
*MJ Cars is not owned or managed by HF Holidays.
Sue's Private Hire
You can pre-book a taxi with Sue's Private Hire* by phone, text or email. Please pre-book asap as there are no taxis based at Pulborough Station. Your journey will be mostly with a lady driver and an electric car.
Tel: +44 (0)1798 874848 / +44 (0)7918 137066
Email:- sueph520@yahoo.com
*Sue's Private Hire is not owned or managed by HF Holidays and prices are subject to change
By car
From the M25
Take either the A24 or the M23 and then the A264 towards Horsham. At the Great Daux roundabout go south on the A24 towards Worthing. Go straight over two roundabouts and then at the traffic lights turn right onto the A272 to Billingshurst and Petersfield. After three miles turn left onto the B2139. Abingworth Hall is approximately four miles from this junction on the left hand side (go past Abingworth Meadows and Thakeham Pre-School).
From the M27
Continue onto the A27 around Chichester. At the second roundabout take the first exit on to the A29, then the second exit on to the B2139 to Storrington. At the mini roundabout, take the second exit onto the A283. Continue through Storrington then turn onto the B2139 towards Thakeham. Take the second exit at the next mini roundabout, then the first exit. Continue down this road until you reach Abingworth Hall on the right.
By air
The nearest airport is Gatwick Airport.
The easiest way to get from Gatwick Airport to Abingworth Hall is by taxi, a 29-mile journey taking around 40 minutes.
The UK has a famously unpredictable climate so it's best to be prepared for weather that’s sunny one minute and raining the next. To make it easier, here’s a list of items you should consider packing.
Essentials
- Suitable, sturdy footwear with a good grip. You’ll be on your feet for much of the day
- Waterproof jacket
- Waterproof overtrousers
- Sunhat
- Rucksack
- Water bottle (at least 1 litre capacity)
- Sunscreen
- Mobile phone
- UV sunglasses
Recommended
- First aid kit, including plasters
- Sit mat
- Waterproof pouch for valuables
- Rubbish bag (remember to always leave no trace)
- Wallet/purse
Optional extras
- Walking poles,
- Flask for hot drinks
- Durable lunch box
- Waterproof rucksack liner
Abingworth Hall Calendar
- Guided Walking
- Self-Guided Walking
- Special Interests
- Unavailable to Book
Mike Craze
Mike is a qualified Blue Badge Tourist Guide and has been guiding on the south coast of England since 2005. He’s a big fan of leading our HF Holidays guests and sharing the hidden history of all the best local buildings and landmarks with a bit of added fun and trivia, too. Mike loves the South Down’s mix of countryside, grand houses, historic castles, cathedral cities, and seaside resorts. He particularly enjoys a stroll through the deer parks of the South Down’s numerous stately homes or an ice cream along the prom at Brighton.
Guest reviews
All holidays are subject to availability. Supplements may apply.
Non-member fee: £30 per person.
All our carefully-curated itineraries are designed by our experts. While we make every effort to adhere to the described itinerary, we may take an alternative route, or vary the running order for weather and/or operational reasons.
Holiday prices
| Date (Start - End) | Itinerary | Double / Twin Room | Single Room | Notes / Offers | Trip Notes | Book | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | ||||||||
|
18 Jul - 25 Jul 2025 7 nights |
Itinerary Single from £1,429 Double from £1,429 pp |
from £1,429 pp |
from £1,429 |
Trip Notes
|
Book Now | |||
|
10 Oct - 17 Oct 2025 7 nights |
Itinerary Single from £1,429 Double from £1,429 pp |
from £1,429 pp |
from £1,429 |
Trip Notes
|
Book Now | |||
7 nights
from
£1,429pp
New holidays
or call 020 3974 8865
135Kg of CO₂e
Average carbon footprint per person Learn More
