South Downs success

The Ramblers - as part of the South Downs Campaign group - is celebrating the news that the Government has confirmed the go ahead for a South Downs National Park in Sussex and Hampshire.

Stretching westwards for more than 144km/90 miles from the spectacular white cliffs of Beachy Head across Sussex and Hampshire to Winchester, the South Downs contains some of the best-known and most admired hill country in the United Kingdom.

The Park will be established broadly along the lines proposed by the then Countryside Agency almost seven years ago and will bring greater protection and funding to the area. It also includes the ‘hotly contested’ Western Weald – an area of sandstone woodland and farmland the size of the Isle of Wight - and the settlements of Ditchling and Lewes.

The news comes just days after the campaign, supported by Ramblers president Floella Benjamin, Ben Fogle (Campaign for National Parks) and Bill Bryson (CPRE), delivered over 20,000 postcards to Defra highlighting the public support for this new National Park.

Ramblers South Downs Campaigner, David Murray, said of the announcement: “The government should be congratulated for providing such a great gift to the nation. National Parks are a huge walking asset, offering a myriad of walking opportunities. The South Downs in on the doorstep of millions of people and this decision will safeguard it for future generations”.

Look out for a special extended feature on the South Downs in the next edition of Walk magazine (out 3 July).