T e Travel Guide - brought to you by APL Media • Wednesday 4 March 2026 South Downs National Park


Make the most of early spring by exploring this national park in southern England, tracing ancient paths across its chalk hills and sampling the produce of its vineyards. Words: Amanda Canning


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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, with kestrels riding the thermals above. 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 here are legacies of over 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 vibrant grapevines, sure signs of a booming wine industry.


What are the best ways to get outdoors? Old drovers’ paths and Roman roads crisscross the South Downs, so you’re never far from a chance 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. The 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. The Weald & Downland Living Museum, 12 miles west, serves up more architectural history. The 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 Repair Shop will recognise one of the thatched barns as the BBC programme’s set. bignorromanvilla.co.uk wealddown.co.uk


Where is local produce available to try? The Romans may have brought wine to the South Downs over 2,000 years ago, but viticulture has skyrocketed in the last 10 years or so. There 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 suet pastry. kinsbrookvineyard.com cowdray.co.uk swaninnfi ttleworth.com


Where are some cosy retreats to stay? If you’ve overdone the pudding and local ales, there’s good news: The 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 deeply comfortable beds. There are also two dog-friendly suites in the former stable block, each with their own enclosed garden. The Bloody Mary station at breakfast is a nice touch, too. For total seclusion, try Treehouse Retreats outside Midhurst. The four immaculate cabins (two nights from £595) are squirrelled away in woodland, and feature plenty of natural materials and antique touches, including basketware and old wooden benches, as well as a kitchen and lounge area. Underfl oor heating and sheepskin throws keep things snug on a colder day and there’s an outdoor bath on the deck, should you wish to listen to the rustles of unseen woodland creatures as you soak. treehouseretreats.com


First published in the March 2026 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK). Read the feature in full at 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 different networks. Trains run from London, Portsmouth and Southampton to hubs including Haslemere and Petersfi eld. southdowns.gov.uk


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COTTAGES ON THE COWDRAY ESTATE/DANIEL CASSON


SWAN INN/DEAN HEARNE


Must-have luggage


Everything you need to travel in style and fully packed this year. Words: National Geographic Traveller (UK) team


1 The North Face Base Camp Duffel — Large This durable, waterproof bag 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


2 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. The four gliding wheels, two inner compartments (one zipped)


and smaller zipped pouch make it especially functional. £409. samsonite.co.uk


3 Thule Subterra 2 hybrid travel bag This 800D-nylon backpack is roomy, versatile and stylish. Thanks 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. £129.99. thule.com


4 Antler Packing Cubes Up your packing game with this set of six durable cubes, available in seven colours. They 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


5 Orbitkey 2-in-1 Tech Pouch 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 dividers and expandable storage space. £59.90. orbitkey.eu


First published in the March 2026 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK). Read the feature in full at nationalgeographic.com/travel


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