I'd like to do some light hiking in the south of England next week, but I don't have a car and don't want to hire one.

September 8, 2012 9:19 AM

I'd like to do some light hiking in the south of England next week, but I don't have a car and don't want to hire one.

I'd like to leave London next Wednesday or Thursday with my walking shoes and a backpack and spend 3-5 days walking and seeing the countryside. I like walking from place to place, so ideally there would be a trail with a starting point I could get to easily by bus or train, and have several stages, sleeping in a cabin or hostel each night. I don't want to bring a tent and would rather not carry a sleeping bag, but that would be ok. Going near to the sea, passing through nice villages and having some great food would be brilliant bonuses. The south coast is also a preference.

Thanks!

posted by hannahlambda to Travel & Transportation around Manchester, England (8 answers total)

I asked a question about day hikes outside London last year, and highly recommend you include the seaford to eastford hike. I picked up a topo map (explorer map brand) from a bookstore just in case, so I'd recommend that as well as it will suggest alternate hikes/paths in the vicinity.

Also, pack sunscreen. I didn't think I'd need it and ended up absolutely sunburnt.
posted by larthegreat at 9:27 AM on September 8, 2012 [1 favorite]

Get the train to Brighton, then a bus up to Ditchling Beacon. You can then walk across to Devil's Dyke and get the bus back into town (or walk back again, or do it the other way round).
posted by EndsOfInvention at 9:28 AM on September 8, 2012

There's a coastal path that runs around pretty much the whole of Cornwall. While there are parts I wouldn't bother with, much of it is spectacular (especially further west), and you get to spend your nights in picturesque little fishing villages; with a bit of research you'll be able to find some excellent seafood, too.
posted by pipeski at 9:32 AM on September 8, 2012

I did Seaford to Eastbourne a few weeks ago and it was a lovely day hike, and while I wasn't looking for accommodation there were loads of hotels and things in both Seaford and (especially) Eastbourne. It's part of the South Downs Way (the end of it) so if you're planning on doing 3-5 days you would want to start somewhere further out. If you're fit, you could probably do almost all of it in five days.

And oh, it's gorgeous! You should go!
posted by mskyle at 10:25 AM on September 8, 2012

South Downs Way National Trust link. This site has it broken into stages.
posted by mskyle at 10:27 AM on September 8, 2012

I always suggest the Ridgeway (oldest road and all that!), and I see there's an online travel planner to help you sort train times to and from wither end.
posted by Abiezer at 11:51 AM on September 8, 2012

either end, even.
posted by Abiezer at 11:51 AM on September 8, 2012

I did the Lewes to Seaford part of the South Downs way and can recommend it as well. Some pretty villages and scenery. Stayed overnight in Alfriston. When you reach the sea, you reach the beautiful White Cliffs.
posted by vacapinta at 10:58 AM on September 9, 2012