Walks mark Green Travel week

Among the treats on offer are windmills, open top buses, tea rooms, a giant made from chalk, medieval buildings, birds and butterflies, and all without the need to get behind the wheel of a car.

Throughout the week, the walks and strolls explore a variety of beautiful and interesting landscapes in the South Downs.

There are eight excursions to choose from, all free and open for everybody to enjoy.

The Society invites members of the public to do their bit to cut down on air and noise pollution and reduce the volume of traffic on our roads by using public transport to explore the South Downs National Park.

Jane Major of the South Downs Society said: “The Downs are well served by public transport and by using the train or the bus you will see more, have more fun and not be tied to seeking out car parks. What’s more if everybody takes the bus or the train the South Downs will stay beautiful forever.

“From Berwick in East Sussex to Emsworth in Hampshire, and all stops between, the walks vary in length from a gentle stroll of 4½ miles to a faster walk of 14 miles taking in some of the most stunning views the South Downs has to offer. For more information visit: www.southdownssociety.org.uk.

“Planning a visit to the Downs using public transport could not be easier. There’s plenty of information out there, including on our website.”

Details of all the Green Travel Walks and Strolls Week are listed below and are available on the website at www.southdownssociety.org.uk (click on News) or by post from the South Downs Society, telephone 01798 875073.

Walkers should wear sensible footwear, bring a drink and a bite to eat, and be prepared for English summer weather!

Discover beautiful parts of the South Downs you never knew existed, and all by public transport. Everyone is welcome to join in and all walks are free. Please wear suitable footwear, bring a drink and a bite to eat, and a mac in case there’s a shower. Fancy planning your own public-transport walks instead?

Visit the public transport page of our website at www.southdownssociety.org.uk for ideas and information.

Saturday 18 September WINDMILLS WALK

Meet: Hassocks Rail Station (west side) 10.10am 11 miles

Public transport: Train from Three Brides arrives 10.04 and from Brighton at 09.55; Brighton & Hove bus 40 from Brighton & Cuckfield; Metrobus 273 from Brighton & Crawley.Highlights: Jack & Jill Windmills, Ditchling Beacon, Wellhouse Farm, Oldlands Windmill

Other information: Pub stop at the White Horse, Ditchling.

Sunday 19 September BREEZE TO THE BEACON

Meet: Brighton Railway Station, for Breeze Bus (79) to Ditchling Beacon, 10.15am. 4 ½ miles

Public transport: after bus from station and walk, Breeze Bus (78) back to Brighton. Highlights: Ditchling Beacon, the 2nd highest point on the South Downs and Stanmer Park, which has seen 6000 years of human activity.

Other information: Lunch (Stanmer Tea Rooms) at end of the walk.

Monday 20 September THORNEY ISLAND CIRCULAR

Meet: Emsworth Square, 11.30am 9 miles

Public Transport: train to Emsworth, Stagecoach Coastliner Service 700. Highlights: Taking in Emsworth and Thornham Marinas as well as St Nicholas Church, built in 1100 by great church builder Bishop Warlewast.

Other information: Bring a picnic lunch.

Tuesday 21 September SPOT THE LONGMAN!

Meet: Berwick Station 10am 14 miles

Public transport: Frequent trains from Brighton, Lewes and Eastbourne. Highlights: takes in parts of two long distance footpaths, the Vanguard Way and the Wealdway as well as the beautiful Downland village of Alfriston.

Other information: Pub stop at the Sussex Ox, Milton Street.

Wednesday 22 September NATIONAL CAR FREE DAY

Meet: Pulborough Station, 10.30 am 11 miles

Public transport: Train from London arr 10.20, from Arundel/South Coast 10.23; Stagecoach bus 1 from Worthing or Midhurst; Compass bus 100/101 from Horsham & Burgess Hill. Highlights: Nutbourne Common; SSSI Pulborough Brooks with great views up to the Downs.

Other information:Pub stop at the Crown Inn, Cootham

Thursday 23 September TEA ROOM TREATS

Meet: Red Lion at Ashington; 11.10 am 7 miles

Public transport: Bus route 23 Worthing/Crawley

Highlights: from Ashington, via Hook Farm, Hawkins Sopers and Spithandle Lane to the delightful Wiston Tea Rooms returning to Ashington via Birch Copse.

Other information: great selection of food and beverage at Wiston Tea Rooms – a real treat.

Friday 24 September WIND IN THE WILLOWS

Meet: Midhurst (north) car park by tourist office 11.00 am 5 miles

Public transport: The north car park is also the bus stand. Buses run from Chichester (No. 60), Pulborough, Petworth, Storrington & Worthing.

Highlights: A delightful, mostly flat, stroll to Woolbeding and Stedham across fields, river and heathland.

Other information: Lunch opportunity on the return leg at the Half Moon, Midhurst.

Saturday 25 September VIEWS OF THE OUSE

Meet: Glynde Village Car Park, 10am 12 miles

Public transport: by train to Glynde Station. Highlights: chalk grassland of Malling Down towering above Lewes and the River Ouse, on to Rodmell, Southease and Beddingham Hill. Maybe a late Adonis Blue butterfly on Malling Down.

Other information: Pub stop at the Abergavenny Arms, Rodmell.