UKC

Not strictly climbing, I know, but I need some emergency advice... is there any wild camping potential on the South Downs Way route, does anyone know? Thanks

In reply to TRJ:

I wild camped on the south downs way but it was years ago. Think we just stopped in a field. Sorry have not other recollection....!

In reply to TRJ:

I remember bivvying in a field behind a pub about halfway along - sorry can't remember much (rehydration on beer not the most sensible option !).

In reply to TRJ: I dossed in a couple of barns along the way no problem.

In reply to TRJ: I've walked a fair proportion of it. It's really a bit densely populated for wild camping. That said, there are a fair number of wooded sections where you could probably do it if discreet.

Generally people stay in pub B&Bs though, of which there are quite a few.

In reply to TRJ:

Hi

I live on the SDW and you could find an area for wild camping on most of the Downs. At Cocking there is a drinking tap in the farm and woods on the south side...

I'd forget camping - you can MTB whole thing in 14 hours!!!

In reply to TRJ:

in the current winds i'd say the bit near beachy head would be pretty damn wild...though you may end up in the sea by morning

In reply to TRJ: any coppice or hedge will do at this time of year, I used to regularly stay in the woods all over the area. Never had any problems with farmers, just occasionally the odd poacher/lost squaddie. There are numerous old green lanes or coppices on the downs, and the scarp slope is often wooded.
Foxhole is a good backpackers 'pay' campsite by cuckmere haven, if you go up via Alfrison theres The Comp green Lane, or the woods below Firle beacon (pheasants too, Ram Inn used to be good before the people of Firle torched a gypsy caravan for Nov 5th), further along gets more wooded into west sussex.
There are standpipes all along the route, or cattle troughs if you've a filter/like the taste. I dont know if its off route but the water in the Meon valley is pure and drinkable (watercress beds). In season you can snaffle some nice greens or root veg, especially in Hampshire (which is more wooded).
Just check your map for a spinney and doss down. Check for old barbed wire before you choose a site, and dont be near badgers! Chanctonbury Ring is good site(also Romano-Celtic temple there, cult of the pig I believe). Nothing like waking upin the frost to the sea on one side, and the Weald in mist on the other!

In reply to Sharket:


You have a point http://www.bramblemet.co.uk/wind.htm shows F9 in the Solent.

It has also been raining more than a touch.

In reply to TRJ:
Wild camping should be easy enough on the SDW. In fields, woods... It's very wet and cold at the moment. Also pubs regularly along the way to fill up your water bottle.
At Cocking (East side) there is a water tap as mentioned before, and it worked for me recently.