The South Downs National Park

The South Downs National Park is a rich and diverse landscape in southern England, spanning parts of Hampshire, West Sussex and East Sussex. Designated as a National Park in 2010, it covers over 600 square miles of rolling hills, ancient woodlands, historic villages and vibrant market towns.

This page will provide a comprehensive overview of South Downs National Park, delving into its history, geography, attractions, activities, planning considerations and more. Read on to learn all about this special place cherished by locals and visitors alike for its natural beauty and heritage.

The Downland landscapes now encompassed by the National Park have a long history of human settlement and activity spanning over 8,000 years. During the Bronze and Iron Ages, the hills were dotted with farmsteads and hill forts. The South Downs also played a strategic role during the Roman conquest of Britain.

In more recent centuries, the Downland economy was largely based around sheep grazing, with iconic breeds like the Southdown sheep thriving on the grassy hills. Chalk mining, flour production and smuggling were other common trades. Towns and villages flourished during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Campaigns to protect and promote the South Downs kicked off in the 1920s, eventually leading to the designation of several Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs). After decades of activism, the South Downs finally achieved National Park status in April 2010.

The South Downs National Park stretches for over 100 miles, with its northern boundary sitting just south of Guildford and its southern extent reaching as far as Eastbourne. The Downland ridges, composed of chalk rock, rise up to 280 metres above sea level at their highest point.

Geographically, the National Park can be divided into two main areas - the Western and Eastern Downs - with the Arun Valley providing a central gap between them. The scarp slopes of the Downs offer panoramic views northwards over the densely populated Weald. The dip slopes have a softer, rolling profile descending gently southwards.

Chalk grassland, woodlands, heathland, farmland and river valleys make up the mosaic of habitats found across the National Park. The variety of soils and microclimates supports an incredibly diverse range of flora and fauna.

The South Downs National Park provides a safe haven for an incredible diversity of plant and animal species. From wildflower-rich grasslands to ancient woodlands, its mosaic of interconnected habitats supports nearly 56% of the UK's native flora and fauna.

Covering over 80,000 acres across the National Park, the chalk downland is the area's most visually iconic habitat. Supporting a colourful tapestry of wildflowers, chalk grassland hosts more than 220 species considered rare or threatened in the UK. Birds like the skylark and stone curlew thrive in this open, insect-rich landscape.

The rich diversity of the chalk grassland depends on active management through grazing. With the decline of sheep farming, conservation organisations now undertake extensive grazing schemes to preserve this precious habitat.

Nearly 90,000 acres of the National Park area is covered in woodland, from small copses to expansive forests like St Leonard's Forest. Ancient semi-natural woodlands predominate, with diverse tree species like oak, beech, ash and field maple. These woodlands host complex ecological networks, with fungi, lichens, mosses and more all thriving in the undisturbed soils.

20th century plantations also occur across the Park, now developing into rich habitats in their own right as they mature. Active woodland management ensures these woods remain ecologically diverse and economically productive.

Lowland heathlands, home to distinctive species like sand lizards and nightjars, were once far more common in the South Downs. Today small fragmented pockets endure in places like Lye Heath and Heyshott and Ambersham Commons. Heather, gorse, rare mosses and insect populations characterise these rare habitats.

Ongoing conservation work strives to protect remaining heathlands in the National Park. Scrub clearance, woodland management and livestock grazing all help to maintain and hopefully extend this precious habitat.

While dominated by intensive arable operations, farms in and around the National Park also provide space for wildlife to thrive. Woodlands, ponds, hedgerows and meadows give refuge to farmland birds, pollinating insects and small mammals.

Environmental stewardship schemes encourage farmers in the Park to implement wildlife-friendly measures - from establishing wildflower field margins to managing waterside buffer zones. As a result, once declining species like the tree sparrow are making a comeback.

With a history of human activity spanning over 8,000 years, the South Downs National Park hosts an extraordinarily rich cultural heritage. From Bronze Age barrows to grand country estates, the layers of history here create a deep sense of place greatly valued by locals and visitors.

Scattered across the ridges and slopes of the Downs lies a wealth of prehistoric monuments, offering tantalising glimpses into life thousands of years ago. Impressive hill forts like Chanctonbury Ring and Cissbury Ring give insight into Bronze and Iron Age communities. Hundreds of burial mounds also endure, with iconic sites like Nine Barrow Down and Jock's Copse.

While some monuments stand starkly visible, many more lie hidden through scrub and tree growth. Ongoing archaeological study continues to reveal more about the Downland's ancient history. Careful management ensures these precious sites don't disappear from view forever.

The quintessentially English villages and bustling market towns of the National Park have their own stories to tell. Picturesque settlements like Steyning and Alfriston grew wealthy from the medieval wool trade. Slindon offers a fine example of a prosperous Tudor estate village. Meanwhile towns like Lewes, Petersfield, Midhurst and Petworth retain centuries-old street plans alongside elegant Georgian architecture.

Traditional village fairs and festivals keep old customs alive today, from wassailing trees in apple orchards to rolling cheeses down Cooper's Hill. Local food and craft enterprises also do their bit to honour old ways.

Grand country estates proliferated across the South Downs from the 17th century onwards, with wealthy families building lavish manor houses and sculpting extensive parklands.

This legacy lives on today at Petworth House, Uppark, West Dean, Goodwood and many other estates now managed by organisations like the National Trust and English Heritage. Stately homes and ornamental gardens sit alongside art collections, expansive parks and active farmland. Estate woodlands in particular provide outstanding public access to nature.

Many estates now host thriving visitor attractions and major events, playing a key economic role while preserving heritage. Careful conservation balances public access with preservation.

Offering many ways to enjoy both culture and nature, recreation opportunities across the National Park make it an appealing destination for visitors and cherished by locals.

With over 1,750 miles of public rights of way and permitted paths criss-crossing the area, the South Downs National Park provides endless scope for walking and cycling. The long-distance South Downs Way stretches for 100 miles along the chalk ridge, offering challenge to seasoned hikers. Shorter circular routes like the 10km Buriton Chalk Walk offer family-friendly rambles.

Three National Cycle Network routes pass through the National Park, including the impressive Sea to Sea (C2C) Cycle Route crossing the North Downs. For mountain bikers, forestry areas like St Leonard's Forest offer technical single-track trails.

Access groups work hard to maintain and improve routes across the Downs, while sustainable transport schemes encourage greener travel choices.

Fast-flowing rivers and reservoirs within the Downs provide recreation ranging from family paddling to whitewater kayaking. The Western Rother offers a mecca for canoeists and anglers. Drought-resilient chalk streams like the Meon support high biomass trout populations in pretty settings. Reservoir kayaking venues include Bewl Water and Ardingly.

Coastal areas of the National Park offer world-class opportunities for sailing and windsurfing, alongside scenic swimming spots. Beaches range from tourist hotspots like West Wittering to wild, isolated shingle ridges.

Careful management protects delicate chalk stream ecology from overuse, using permitting, zoning and education schemes to balance recreation access with conservation.

A packed annual calendar of cultural happenings rounds off the National Park's broad recreation offering. Major events hosted on country estates include horse racing at Goodwood, thriving sculpture festivals at Cass and Petworth Parks and the eclectic range of arts on display during the Charleston Festival. Foodies flock to Petworth's annual Food and Drink Festival.

More localised traditions like the eccentric world-championship Bog Snorkelling held annually in Petersfield also entertain visitors! Come winter solstice, Hyde Park re-enacts torch-lit yuletide celebrations first recorded in Victorian times.

These events and others support the local economy while fostering a tangible living culture rooted in the landscape and history of the South Downs.

Development policies guiding the National Park balance conservation with sustainable growth supporting local communities. Use our overview below to understand key planning considerations in the area.

As in any UK National Park, upholding the South Downs' natural and cultural heritage remains the guiding principle underlying its planning policies. Development proposals get assessed on their impact on protected biodiversity sites, habitats, species, landscapes and historic assets.

Archaeological surveys help assess schemes affecting sensitive areas. Mitigation measures like screening, access management plans and habitat restoration accompany approved developments. Ongoing monitoring tracks heritage asset conditions across the Park.

Providing housing enabling local communities to access property remains a key issue across the National Park. Development plans allocate sites mainly on fringes and surroundings of towns and larger villages like Lewes, Petersfield and Liss. Policy favours small-scale community-led schemes providing affordable rentals and preventing second-home proliferation.

Upgrading infrastructure like roads (A27/A259/A286) and telecoms (4G/5G) also receives policy focus, balancing improvement needs against environmental impact.

Working alongside farmers and land managers, the National Park team promotes sustainable land use through agri-environment initiatives. These support biodiversity and heritage conservation while enabling agricultural productiveness. Permissive access schemes also expand public routes across privately owned Downland.

Woodland creation schemes bring multiple wins - locking up carbon, reducing flood risk, supporting wildlife populations and offering scenic access. Monitoring tracks habitat changes to review policy effectiveness.

Balancing tourism growth with conservation represents an ongoing challenge across the National Park. Development policies limit large hotel complexes while supporting expansion of sustainable sectors like eco-tourism, glamping, heritage accommodation and green transport.

Visitor number monitoring and surveys assess tourism pressures, with management plans evolve accordingly. South Downs volunteers and rangers help maintain footpaths, educate visitors and run events that foster appreciation of the Park's special qualities.

Given its rich history spanning over 8,000 years, the South Downs continues to reveal archaeological insights offering glimpses into centuries past. Ongoing research also informs modern-day conservation work across this fragile landscape.

Using cutting-edge LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology, recent surveys have peeled back woodland and scrub to uncover lost archaeological sites across areas like Ditchling Common, Castle Hill and Tortington/Torton Hills. Long-forgotten hill forts, field systems and trackways lie newly exposed to rekindle research.

Further LiDAR surveys across the National Park will undoubtedly reveal more ghostly echoes of millennia past, spurring new avenues to explore the Downland's human heritage. Integrated with ecological mapping, the datasets also help strategise habitat and land management.

Extensive species surveys represent a vital tool guiding practical conservation work across the National Park. Teams monitor key habitats and indicator species to track ecosystem health and biodiversity trends. Recent surveys revealed declining farmland bird populations, informing agriculture policy revisions promoting wildlife-friendly measures.

Citizen science initiatives like butterfly monitoring schemes and the United Kingdom Butterfly Monitoring Scheme (UKBMS) harness public participation alongside professional surveys. Findings feed into action plans targeting threatened species like the Duke of Burgundy butterfly through habitat creation schemes.

Understanding what constitutes optimally diverse chalk grassland remains work-in-progress guiding ongoing restoration projects. Using experimental replanting, grazing and soil treatments, researchers investigate best practices for restoring species-rich swards on degraded arable sites.

Preliminary results reveal quick establishment of grass and wildflower diversity using seed-rich green hay transferred from ancient reference meadows. Grazing regime, underlying soil structures and moisture also prove influential factors. Such research translates into practical land management partnerships across the National Park targeting chalk grassland recovery.

Tracking environmental changes across the National Park provides insight into emerging climate change pressures. Recent milder winters saw butterfly and bird populations respond with earlier spring emergence and breeding. Increasing storm intensity causes more flash flooding events, habitat erosion plus tree and property damage.

Understanding these impacts helps shape the Park's own carbon reduction commitments. Woodland expansion, renewable energy infrastructure guidelines and sustainable transport promotion all aim to mitigate the Park's footprint while fostering climate resilience across communities and landscapes.

From hands-on habitat management to simply getting out exploring, there are abundant ways visitors and locals can get involved caring for the special landscapes of the South Downs National Park.

Volunteering provides an immersive way to explore the Park while giving something back. Conservation tasks like path maintenance, litter picking, scrub clearance and tree planting run throughout the year led by rangers. Citizen science volunteer surveys monitor key species populations and habitat changes.

Those keen on heritage have opportunities to preserve archaeological sites, restore historic buildings, digitise archives plus even act as tour guides at stately homes! Custom training prepares volunteers for each role.

From wildlife identification walks to traditional countryside crafts, a packed events programme helps visitors connect more deeply with the National Park. Downloadable self-guided trails like the Selborne Meon Valley Trail reveal cultural stories nested in landscapes.

For a more serious education, the traditional farming courses held at the Weald & Downland Living Museum cover everything from lime mortaring walls to managing livestock. Frequent lectures and seminars tackle diverse topics - from rewilding debates to garden insect tips!

Through learning comes understanding, inspiring society to value and protect the fragile natural treasures that national parks nurture.

Practising responsible behaviour represents the simplest positive action visitors can take to care for the National Park. Stay to marked footpaths, control pets near livestock, practice leave no trace principles and avoid lighting fires or barbecues during dry seasons.

Choosing sustainable transport options like public transport and cycling over private cars reduces pollution plus traffic congestion through honeypot areas. Supporting local businesses bolsters the green economy sustaining communities living in harmony with this special landscape.

Through small considered actions, visitors play a valued role safeguarding the vibrant habitats, heritage sites and villages that shape the rich mosaic of the South Downs National Park.