Essex Man Does Walking

A walking journal of an Essex man


Where did I stay whilst walking the South Downs Way?

1st Night – Winchester Morn Hill Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite

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There are some grass pitches available for backpacking from about £25 per night for one person. It is off of the trail by about 1.5 miles and getting there is quite tricky along the A31 unless you come off the trail sooner. I had wanted to spend the night at Holden Farm but they would only except bookings of more than one night at the weekend.

The facilities at the campsite are good, nice shower and toilet block. There is nowhere for food onsite but Holiday Inn is a short walk away and have a good menu.

2nd Night – Sustainability Centre

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There are a number of camping possibilities here and some places inside the buildings. I decided to camp at £15 per person per night. There are compost toilets and showers available. There is a cafe on the site but it only opens Wed – Sun. It is right on the South Downs Way so that is a big plus.

3rd Night – Manor Farm, Cocking

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Again there are a number of sleeping possibilities here from B&B to camping which is what I did. There are very basic facilities for campers, a chemical toilet and a sink but at £10 per person per night you cannot complain. You can buy breakfast and sandwiches to go from Pauline if you order when you get there for the next day. There are pubs in Cocking if you want an evening meal although check the times they stop serving food. The farm is right on the South Downs Way which is ideal.

4th Night – South Downs Bunkhouse, Houghton

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The bunkhouse is just slightly off the trail in Houghton, they also do B&B. The bunkhouse has a number of beds in shared dormitories and facilities to do cooking as well as your laundry. Houghton and Amberley nearby all have places you can get supplies from and have a meal. It is slightly more expensive at £32.50 but well worth it to have a bed for a night. You can order breakfast and a packed lunch from them as well for the next day.

5th Night – YHA Truleigh Hill

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Again, this is on the South Downs Way so no extra mileage. It has a range of options from camping, to shared dorm to private room. I was originally going to do camping from £15 per night per person but as my mate wasn’t with me, swapped it for a bed in a shared dorm with breakfast for £30. The cafe onsite serves food throughout the day and with all hostels there are toilets and showers.

6th Night – Southdown Way Caravan & Camping, Keymer

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This is a little off the South Down Way by about a mile or so and can be a problem to get to as you have to go around behind it on the footpaths rather than go down the B2112 which has no verge and is very dangerous. The campsite and facilities are excellent and whilst there is no place to buy hot food on site, Keymer and Hassocks are nearby and have plenty of shops, restaurants and pubs. The cost of two of us camping was £23, very reasonable.

7th Night – Stud Farm, Telscombe

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Stud Farm Campsite is about a mile off the trail just before you get to Southease. There is a Youth Hostel in Southease but this was booked up when I looked. It is another basic facilities campsite but very pleasant and does have proper toilets and showers. Peacehaven is close by for food and drink, they do sell breakfast packs but they are really too large unless there are a lot of you with cookers. The cost of the pitch was £22 for the two of us. Excellent value.

8th Night – Alfriston Camping Park

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This is a short walk from the trail and Alfriston High Street and comprises a large field with a toilet and shower block and a cafe. There are also plenty of places to eat and drink in Alfriston itself. The cost for two of us camping here was £24. The cafe in the morning does a great breakfast and coffee.



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