Photo: The original uploader was StephenDawson at English Wikipedia., CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The South Downs are a landscape of chalk ridges, ancient woodland and white cliffs running from Hampshire to the Sussex coast, with Black Down and Butser Hill offering wide views to the sea along grassy ridgeline trails. Amberley and Haslemere stations make downland hiking easy by train.
There are 37 stations within 1 mile of South Downs National Park.
The park area is home to 101 DoBIH-listed peaks, the highest being Black Down at 281m.
A National Trail passes through or near the park: South Downs Way.
South Downs train stations
Best for walkers first: gold, silver and bronze rate the hills, landscape and trails near each.
- Southease - Piddinghoe RoadSilver walking rating
- SoutheaseSilver walking rating
- AmberleyBronze walking rating
- Winchester0.4 mi (about 0.5 to 0.6 mi on foot)Bronze walking rating
- Southwick1.0 mi (about 1 to 1.5 mi on foot)Bronze walking rating
- LewesBronze walking rating
- CooksbridgeBronze walking rating
- GlyndeBronze walking rating
- Bishopstone0.2 mi (about 0.2 to 0.3 mi on foot)Bronze walking rating
- Newhaven Town0.2 mi (about 0.3 mi on foot)Bronze walking rating
- Newhaven Harbour0.4 mi (about 0.4 to 0.5 mi on foot)Bronze walking rating
- Polegate0.4 mi (about 0.5 mi on foot)Bronze walking rating
- Seaford0.6 mi (about 0.8 to 0.9 mi on foot)Bronze walking rating
- Berwick (Sussex)0.9 mi (about 1 mi on foot)Bronze walking rating
- Liphook0.2 mi (about 0.2 mi on foot)Bronze walking rating
- Haslemere0.7 mi (about 0.8 to 0.9 mi on foot)Bronze walking rating
- LissBronze walking rating
- PetersfieldBronze walking rating
- Rowlands Castle0.1 mi (about 0.1 mi on foot)Bronze walking rating
- Moulsecoomb0.1 mi (about 0.1 mi on foot)Bronze walking rating
- Falmer0.1 mi (about 0.2 mi on foot)Bronze walking rating
- Hassocks0.3 mi (about 0.3 mi on foot)Bronze walking rating
- Plumpton0.5 mi (about 0.6 to 0.7 mi on foot)Bronze walking rating
- Burgess Hill0.9 mi (about 1 mi on foot)Bronze walking rating
- Fishersgate0.9 mi (about 1 mi on foot)Bronze walking rating
- Portslade0.9 mi (about 1 to 1.5 mi on foot)Bronze walking rating
- London Road (Brighton)0.9 mi (about 1 to 1.5 mi on foot)Bronze walking rating
- ArundelBronze walking rating
- Pulborough0.1 mi (about 0.2 mi on foot)Bronze walking rating
- Goring-by-Sea0.4 mi (about 0.4 to 0.5 mi on foot)Bronze walking rating
- Shoreham-by-Sea (Sussex)0.8 mi (about 1 mi on foot)Bronze walking rating
- Lancing0.9 mi (about 1 mi on foot)Bronze walking rating
- East Worthing1.0 mi (about 1 to 1.5 mi on foot)Bronze walking rating
- Eastbourne0.4 mi (about 0.5 to 0.6 mi on foot)Bronze walking rating
- Bentley (Hants)Bronze walking rating
- Shawford0.1 mi (about 0.1 mi on foot)Bronze walking rating
- Bosham0.8 mi (about 1 mi on foot)Bronze walking rating
Walking distances are estimates from the straight-line distance and the type of ground, not a measured route. Check a map before you set off.
Onward bus services
Buses that reach further into South Downs than the stations above. Check the days each one runs before you travel.
South Downs Rambler
From Winchester and Petersfield stations
Sundays only, 6 September–1 November 2026, 3 trips a day
Timetable: southdowns.gov.uk ↗
Journey times from cities
How soon you can be at the nearest station serving South Downs National Park from each city, counting stations just outside the boundary as well as inside it.
- Brighton to London Road (Brighton)From 5min
- Southampton to WinchesterFrom 19min
- London to Burgess HillFrom 53min
- Oxford to WinchesterFrom 1hr 14min
- Bath to WinchesterFrom 1hr 46min
- Bristol to WinchesterFrom 1hr 52min
- Cardiff to WinchesterFrom 2hr 11min
- Cambridge to Burgess HillFrom 2hr 15min
- Leicester to Burgess HillFrom 2hr 25min
- Birmingham to WinchesterFrom 2hr 26min
- Exeter to WinchesterFrom 2hr 39min
- Nottingham to Burgess HillFrom 2hr 49min
- Norwich to Burgess HillFrom 3hr 6min
- Swansea to WinchesterFrom 3hr 7min
- York to Burgess HillFrom 3hr 12min
- Sheffield to Burgess HillFrom 3hr 25min
- Leeds to Burgess HillFrom 3hr 30min
- Manchester to Burgess HillFrom 3hr 33min
- Plymouth to WinchesterFrom 3hr 36min
- Preston to Burgess HillFrom 3hr 37min
- Liverpool to Burgess HillFrom 3hr 48min
- Lancaster to Burgess HillFrom 3hr 58min
Good to know
Can you get to the South Downs by train?
Yes. 37 stations are within 1 mile of the South Downs, including Amberley and Bentley (Hants).
What is the nearest train station to the South Downs?
10 stations with regular trains are inside the South Downs, including Amberley, Bentley (Hants) and Glynde.
How long does it take to get to the South Downs by train?
The South Downs is 18min from Brighton, 1hr from London and 1hr 7min from Southampton by train, to the quickest station inside the park.
More of South Downs
Photo: Malcolm Oakley, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Photo: GingerBeast, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Photo: John Wallace, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons