South Downs Way - Accommodation Halfway

[chrisdk]

No idea if this is Pedal Powered related (that’s the origin of my question though) or Holidays & Travel - mods, move as appropriate please.

Next May half term the plan is to ride the SDW in two days but take the whole family along so I’m looking for a large property on the route (or within a 20 min detour) such that we travel to start, ride the first day back to the property then ride out again on second day to finish.

Needs to sleep 8-10 people (which might be the challenge).

I can see the precise route so know where the 50% distance point is (not that I can find much accommodation round there) but not sure if this is the same place as somewhere you would break the first day ?

To add, how radical an idea to ride East to West would it be if this opened up other accommodation options ?

Cheers all,

Chris

[President Merkin]

The halfway point is pretty much my backyard trails. You'll struggle to find accomodation for those numbers outside of a decent country hotel around there, Amberley castle, Avisford park etc are nearby but both four star places, so not budget if that's a consideration.

You may have to drop down into Arundel or Worthing for the night, both of which would take you no more than 15 minutes off route. As for running East to west, there is a good reason most people do it the other way round, it's a long ride to take on at the best of times, adding a headwind is just masochism!

ETA off the top of my head, The Youth hostel at Truleigh hill is big enough & the location is stunning but that would make for a big day one though.

Edited by President Merkin on Tuesday 8th August 08:25

[djc206]

If you’re feeling flush there’s the Pig on the South Downs nearby. There are some converted Barns at Houghton. Or as suggested above for a budget option drop down into Arundel, there’s a Premier Inn there.

When I did it years ago with friends we stopped at the YHA Truleigh Hill. Very budget friendly but more of a 60:40 split on distances going west to east which is not a terrible idea tbh.

[J886ATV]

https://www.southdownsbunkhouse.co.uk/

Basic but fine for one night - pub just up the road for food / refreshments. They'll supply pack lunch for next day too

[President Merkin]

Ah that's ideal, literally metres from the SDW. All these years pounding the trails around here & I had no idea that was there, I rode by the Bridge Inn last Thursday

[chrisdk]

Thanks all, some very good and helpful suggestions here.

Should have given a bit more detail that the aim is to provide a half term break for three families AND let a few of us tick off the SDW at the same time (travelling down from the north east so quite a trek).

This means I’m looking for more of an Air BnB / barn for hire for five days (family time tacked on either side of the ride) rather than a bunkhouse (even if this is my preference when doing other multi day rides).

Now looking into rentals in / around Arundel / Worthing so great shout, thanks.

On the E->W suggestion, I’m genuinely sceptical having done some big south to north rides to “benefit from the tail winds” but ended up chewing through 40mph headwinds for an entire day in Scotland !

[President Merkin]

People do ride e-w obvs but remember the SDW is all winch & plummet, barely any of it is on the flat. You'll be doing north of 10,000ft vertical & some of the climbs are brutal & come in quick succession, so while it's a personal thing, you would be adding significant effort going the other way but it's your ride, your rules.

[Fluffsri]

chrisdk said:

Thanks all, some very good and helpful suggestions here.

Should have given a bit more detail that the aim is to provide a half term break for three families AND let a few of us tick off the SDW at the same time (travelling down from the north east so quite a trek).

This means I’m looking for more of an Air BnB / barn for hire for five days (family time tacked on either side of the ride) rather than a bunkhouse (even if this is my preference when doing other multi day rides).

Now looking into rentals in / around Arundel / Worthing so great shout, thanks.

On the E->W suggestion, I’m genuinely sceptical having done some big south to north rides to “benefit from the tail winds” but ended up chewing through 40mph headwinds for an entire day in Scotland !

Ive have ridden it both ways and they are both as bad as each other. Butser hill is definitely for descending and not for climbing after 100 miles.

[djc206]

Fluffsri said:

Ive have ridden it both ways and they are both as bad as each other. Butser hill is definitely for descending and not for climbing after 100 miles.

My sunglasses fell off coming down Butser. I had to walk a long way back up to retrieve them and that was bad enough, sod pedalling up there.

Shoe Inn at Exton for a pint by the lovely stream/river OP. The ploughman’s there are top notch too.

[Daveyraveygravey]

Amberley would be good for other activities. There's boat hire at the cafe, plues the museum, and then more pubs and cafes in the village proper.

I did the SDW once ages ago, from Winchester to Eastbourne. From memory, the second half is harder, not just because you're knackered but the climbs are tougher and closer together.

Have you looked at Shoreham for accomadation? It's quite big, on the coast, has a train station, lots of places to eat and drink. Plus its connected to the SDW by the Downslink, a disused railway line that's pan flat, about 3 miles from Shoreham.

Edited by Daveyraveygravey on Thursday 10th August 13:11

[dcb]

Daveyraveygravey said:

Have you looked at Shoreham for accomadation? It's quite big, on the coast, has a train station, lots of places to eat and drink. Plus its connected to the SDW by the Downslink, a disused railway line that's pan flat, about 3 miles from Shoreham.

Shoreham also has the Duke of Wellington pub. Lots of good beer and bands on sometimes.

I could quite happily live there. It gives the Evening Star in Brighton a good
run for it's money.

http://dukeofwellingtonbrewhouse.co.uk/