South Downs National Park — Attraction in Chichester

Oh wow! Beautiful. The views are just amazing and the rangers really knowledgeable. I went armed with my sketchbook and camping seat and had a glorious time at Butser hill. There's a kiosk ther to purchase drinks etc and a portaloo (or two) if you get caught short. Plenty of walkers with families and dogs. Glider enthusiasts looked to be enjoying themselves, paragliders too.

Disabled parking near the kiosk and flat tarmac paths go around the hill so if you're in a wheelchair with a good pusher/motor or an all terrain me mobility scooter there's no need to miss out. Portaloo not very disabled friendly though so bear that in mind.

Back along the A3 a short way at the temporary visitor centre is a shop, information, maps and brochures of the area. They are building a lovely new visitor centre on this site which should be finished next month (early Sept 2019) according to the staff. In the meantime a short walk up a path is a temporary cafe with indoor/outdoor seating, hot food like burgers and cold food like tea and cake. Yummy they are too!

Plenty of parking is available. Prices range from 2.20 for an hour. There is an all day saver price. Blue badge spaces are available but the badge does not apply to parking fees so you will need to pay. I understand if you buy a yearly membership, parking is included so you may want to check that out.

What else can I say, clothing, wear layers, take a waterproof just in case if showers etc are forecast. The weather here seems to have a mind of its own. Ive been here on a glorious day which suddenly turned into a thunderstorm complete with hail (although it was stunning to watch it move across the landscape) and equally a shower day which became just beautiful and sunny. So be prepared for everything and you won't get caught out.

This review captures only a fraction of this national Park which ranges miles and miles and miles through Hampshire and Sussex onwards. I highly recommend a visit. Especially if you are stressed, it's the perfect aaahhhhh place, go...

Walking part of the England Coast Path National Trail from Eastbourne to Newhaven. A walkers delight, taking in exceptional scenic coastline views for the majority of the way. Beachy Head, where there is a visitors centre, through to Birling Gap where you can stop off for food, refreshments and public toilets. Large car park here too. Look out for the amazing Beachey Head lighthouse which I caught at low tide. Could have easily missed. Onward, and the Seven Sisters challenges you but the vistas are truly worth it. Head inland along the river Cuckmere to the visitors centre. Parking, food, refreshments, toilets and public transport. Continued my way towards Seaford arriving back on the coastal path with less people than had been earlier in the day and far more tranquil. The panoramic view of the Seven Sisters in all her glory looked back at me. As whilst walking them you really don’t get to see their full majestic beauty. Awesome! The last hill of the day which was incredible steep took me towards Seaford Head West with the setting sun over Seaford Bay. Bit of a descent here and nearing my destination of Newhaven. A casual brisk walk along Seaford’s promenade and ending at Tidemills where the sun left my view as I made my way to the good transport connection at Newhaven for my journey back to Brighton. A great day’s walking the South Downs even though it was incredibly busy with tourists and sightseers, it didn’t matter because it was incredible beautiful, spacious, sunny and free. In the words of William Blake….Englands green and...

I seldom do proper ‘Instagrams’ i.e. post pictures I’ve just made on the phone, but this morning was so mystical that I had several moments of deep gratitude and wonder. I thought I’d share a few.⁣ ⁣ Yesterday’s rain allied with a heavy overnight dew had left the landscape glistening. As the sun popped I stumbled across a barn owl, it flew from a broken roof not ten feet from me. Wish I’d had the phone in hand at the time as might’ve had a chance of catching it. Nonetheless, beautiful picture retained in mind’s eye.⁣ ⁣ Not long after that I was passing a recently fallen tree and whilst leaning over the exposed roots to get a picture of trunk and branches I heard a gentle humming sound amongst the bird song. I couldn’t work out what it was at first, but it seemed to be coming from my waist... I stepped back and realised I’d been leaning over a bee’s nest! Fortunately it had been a cool night so they were pretty chilled, literally (have posted a vid in my stories).⁣ ⁣ Light changing, mist gently ebbing and flowing, golden sunlight, then slightly overcast. I moved on guided by the scent of wild garlic (the white flowers). The ground ahead was carpeted in it, punctuated with a mixture of British and Spanish bluebells, then beyond that, open, ancient landscape, the undulating Downs. The immediacy of a green woodpecker’s call, a 13th century church and inquisitive sheep. ⁣ ⁣ Something quintessentially British about it all, reminiscent of William Blake’s ‘green and...