England
Europe
hiking
National Parks
UK
Dramatic White Cliffs of South Downs National Park
9/07/2016
South Downs National Park in Southern England has it all - rolling hills, grasslands, charming small towns, grazing livestock and gorgeous white chalk cliffs. Located in Southern England, South Downs National Park is definitely worth a 1.5-hour train ride from London.
South Downs National Park is the newest national park in England officially created in 2011. It stretches for 87 miles/140 km along England's southern coast. The park includes some small towns but excludes the major coastal ones like Brighton, Eastbourne, Littlehampton and others.
The most famous and beautiful part of the South Downs is located just west of Eastbourne. Eastbourne is well connected to London Victoria via a frequent train service.
Park's information signs catch your attention right from the train.
It is amazing to me how accessible Europe is using public transportation. You can reach the park and other attractions in the area with a tourist bus called 'Eastbourne Sightseeing'. The alternative is to walk for about one hour.
South Downs Way is the main footpath which spans the park from east to west and lies wholly within the national park boundaries.
The footpath is a great way to stretch your legs and enjoy the beautiful nature of Southern England.
The smell of spring herbs is truly mind-blowing.
The park provides a good balance between farming, conservation and recreation. Grazing farming livestock has been very important for the park's health for over 2,000 years. It helps control the height of the grass as well as keep the invasive species in check.
The park is also accessible by car and has many parking lots.
A downland or simply a down is an area of open chalk hills. It usually forms a steep escarpment on one side and is much shallower at the side.
The lighthouse built in 1902 with the white chalk hills is considered to be one of the classic landscape images of Southern England.
Beachy Head is one of the places to see dramatic white chalk cliffs that can be up to 535 ft / 165 m.
The charming hills are overlooking the English Channel ('La Manche' in French).
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However, not everyone comes here to enjoy the beauty of the park.
Some of them end their lives here.
This area of the park is grazed throughout the year by livestock from tenant farmers. Grazing is essential to ensure the park's health. It preserves the traditional open character of the area.
Wildflowers and butterflies benefit the most from grazing. Visitors can walk in such areas using the access gates.
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