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T e Travel Guide
EXPLORE THE SOUTH DOWNS WAY /NATIONAL TRUST IMAGES
Promotional Content • Saturday 2nd May 2026
Spring staycation E
Make the most of spring by exploring this national park in Southern England, tracing ancient paths across its chalk hills and sampling its vineyards’ produce. Words: Amanda Canning
stablished in 2010, England’s newest national park is made up of some of its most timeless landscapes. Spread
across Hampshire, East Sussex and West Sussex, great swathes of gently rolling hills and heathland dip and crest on their way to the English Channel. Flint-stone villages hunker down in the valleys — a reminder that humankind has long made its presence felt here, too. Remnants of Neolithic forts and Roman villas are legacies of more than 5,000 years of habitation, but some of the most signifi cant additions to the landscape have emerged only in the past few decades: neat lines of grapevines, tell-tale signs of a booming wine industry.
What are the best ways to explore the national park? Old drovers’ paths and Roman roads crisscross the South Downs, meaning you’re never far from an opportunity to stretch your legs. Iping Common off ers an easy walk, with a number of marked trails leading over lowland heath. For more of a challenge, tackle a section of the South Downs Way, a 100-mile National Trail that strikes through the park’s heart. T e
5.4-mile Bignor Hill Circular Loop scoots along a small portion of it, with big-sky views from the top. Once you’re done, call into Bignor Roman Villa to admire some of the most complete Roman mosaic fl oors in the country. T e Weald & Downland Living Museum, 12 miles west, serves up more architectural history. T e site has over 50 buildings plucked from across the region, ranging from a Saxon hall house to a 19th-century toll booth, with demonstrations of traditional crafts within. Fans of the BBC’s T e Repair Shop will recognise one of the thatched barns as the programme’s set.
What local produce is there to try? T ere are now over 50 vineyards within the park and many wineries welcome visitors to sample their goods. Kinsbrook near West Chittington off ers tours and tastings of its wines, including pinot noirs and sparkling whites, and has a restaurant and deli featuring local produce. Fifteen miles to the west, the Cowdray Estate champions local, too — its farm shop overfl ows with all kinds of produce, from Sussex Charmer cheese to Wagyu sausages, some of which is also served in its
cafe. If the weather calls for a fi reside pint, head to the 14th-century Swan Inn. Its beamed dining room is a fi ne place to enjoy seasonal dishes including South Downs lamb and Sussex pond pudding, made with fl uff y suet pastry.
Where should you stay? If you’ve overdone the pudding and local ales, there’s good news: T e Swan Inn also has B&B accommodation. Its 10 rooms, from £195 per night, are welcoming cocoons after a day’s tramping — individually designed, with a modern country aesthetic and comfortable beds. T ere are also two dog-friendly suites in the former stable block, each with their own enclosed garden. T e Bloody Mary station at breakfast is a nice touch, too. For total seclusion, try Treehouse Retreats outside Midhurst. T e four immaculate cabins (two nights from £595) are squirrelled away in woodland, and feature antique touches, as well as a kitchen and lounge area.
T is article fi rst appeared in the March 2026 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK).
nationalgeographic.com/travel
HOW TO DO IT
To fully explore this largely rural region, you’re best off driving. There’s a good bus network, though, and the £10 Discovery ticket gives you a day’s worth of travel on diff erent networks. Trains run from London, Portsmouth and Southampton to hubs including Haslemere and Petersfi eld.
Luggage must-haves
Top picks for travelling in style this year, whether you’re wheeling a suitcase through an airport or hauling a duffl e bag up a mountain. Words: National Geographic Traveller (UK) team
Three Peaks Travel/Hybrid 30L
T is backpack is an adventure sidekick, thanks to a hard-wearing shell and storm cover, and it’s also designed to fi t within most airlines’ cabin allowance, with a luggage sleeve to boot. Details like the safe card compartment and bottle sleeves are as handy on the trail as they are in a terminal. £145.
threepeaksgbr.com
Antler Packing Cubes
Up your packing game with this set of six durable cubes, available in seven colours. T ey help keep items in your bag or suitcase organised and accessible, so you don’t have to rifl e through luggage or unpack entirely to reach that one thing you need. Each has a strong compression zip, meaning you can fi t more in, too. £75.
antler.co.uk
Samsonite C-Lite Spinner
Not too big, not too small — this 69cm hard-shell is the Goldilocks of hold luggage. It’s also exceptionally light, weighing just 2.5kg, and comes with a 10-year warranty. T e four gliding wheels, two inner compartments (one zipped) and smaller zipped pouch make it especially functional. £409.
samsonite.co.uk
Orbitkey 2-in-1 Tech Bag
Cables, chargers, plug adapters, SD cards, even headphones — all your tech accessories can be kept secure in this water-resistant holder, which has multiple pockets, foldable divid- ers and expandable storage space. T ere’s also a removable zipped pouch for easy access to any high-use items. £69.90.
orbitkey.eu
Cotopaxi Kapai 3L Hip Pack
Del Día Travellers who like to stand out will love this bumbag: it’s made of leftover materials, so no two colourways are the same. It’s perfect for keeping essentials on you in transit, and is also roomy enough to use as a day bag, especially with features like the fl eece-lined sunglasses pocket. £40.
uk.cotopaxi.com
The North Face Base Camp
Duffl e — Large T is durable, waterproof duffl e is beloved by explorers. It opens right up so you can easily fi ll the 95-litre capacity, and there are padded side handles and removable, adjustable shoulder straps to carry or haul it. Use the zipped end-cap pocket to separate dirty shoes or wet clothes. £150.
thenorthface.com
Trunki
T is wheeled, 1.6kg suitcase can be carried, dragged — or ridden. Recommended for ages three to six and available in fun designs from tiger to dinosaur, it’s perfect for transporting tired toddlers through the airport. Roomy enough to fi t the clothes, toys and snacks you might need on a short break, it’s carry-on approved on most airlines. £49.99.
argos.co.uk
Thule Subterra 2 Hybrid
Travel Bag T is 800D-nylon backpack is roomy, versatile and stylish. T e adaptable features help you transition from work to leisure. T anks to a side handle, it can be carried like a minimalist 15-litre briefcase on city breaks, and there are tech-friendly solutions like a laptop sleeve and ‘power pocket’ for phone charging cables. If the bag is heavy, simply use the longer straps and wear it like a backpack. On longer trips, expand the bag to 23 litres and attach it to rolling luggage. £149.99.
thule.com
T is article fi rst appeared in the March 2026 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK).
nationalgeographic.com/travel
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