The South Downs allow you to enjoy ancient woodlands and nature reserves together with the historical features of a landscape that has been worked for thousands of years. Roman Stane Street crosses the Downs at Bignor Hill, where Stone Age and Iron Age remains can also be seen. Bignor Roman Villa houses astonishing mosaics and fountains in an idyllic setting. In a later age, Duncton Mill has had recorded habitation since 1066. Throughout the Downs, you can see tumuli (burial mounds), fortifications, and medieval dew ponds, as well as some pretty fine pubs.

The South Downs Way is a 100 mile (160 km) long bridleway. You can travel along it on foot, off road bicycle, or on horseback. It takes about a week to walk the whole route between Winchester to Eastbourne, with Arundel being a wonderful resting point at the halfway point. The route can also be cycled in two to three days.

The trail runs through prehistoric monuments and flower-filled nature reserves, past pretty villages and imposing country houses. There are some moderately steep slopes but mostly the well marked path runs across rolling open country. Much of the route is accessible to a suitable cross country motorised wheel chair; for details of path standards contact the National Trail Officer on 01243 558716.