Picture of cross dykes alongside the South Downs Way National Trail

The South Downs Way
Charlton Forest

The next few miles of the South Downs Way are uncharacteristic of the rest of the route.

This is essentially a woodland section of the South Downs Way.

To the north lie the steep hangers of Heyshott Down.

To the south lies mighty Charlton Forest.

There's still plenty to reward the walker or mountain-biker up here though - not least the fact that this is one of the flattest sections of the South Downs Way and the going is relatively easy.

There's a terrific conservation project at Heyshott Down overseen by the Murray Downland Trust.

The Trust have taken a lease on a steep patch of land riddled with former chalk pits and is managing the land so that it returns to a habitat of tight downland turf - thereby encouraging downland plants, butterflies and other insects to take a more secure hold on this part of the South Downs.

A small detour across the field to the trig point on top of Heyshott Down is highly recommended. Once you are there continue along the footpath to the northern edge of the field to enjoy the spectacular view and vertiginous drop down to the valley below.

There are also several tumuli and cross dykes up on this part of the Downs - a reminder that these might once have been much busier places that they are now.

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Places to visit close to the South Downs Way

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Wednesday February 08

The South Downs Way Charlton Forest

Places to visit close to the South Downs Way

The South Downs Way
Charlton Forest