New way to explore the South Downs launches

To celebrate the launch, on Saturday July 5 for one day only Sussex residents can ‘discover’ a summer ice cream surprise at selected locations across the South Downs and East Sussex.

Launching in advance of the summer holidays, the Discovery ticket allows unlimited, one-day travel across the region for £12.50 for a family and the ticket is timely as new local research shows that whilst many Sussex residents are keen to travel by bus - over half (56 per cent) think it is difficult to visit favourite places and 33 per cent worry about the cost of getting there.

However, the research showed that top days out for Sussex residents include Arundel Castle, Petworth House and Park, Seven Sisters Sheep Centre and Lewes Castle, all of which are accessible via the new Discovery bus ticket.

Another incentive to explore the region this summer is a new limited edition ice cream flavour, voted for by Sussex residents and created by local Downsview Farmhouse, which will launch to coincide with the ticket rollout.

As a picnic in the fresh air proved a favourite South Downs activity for 72 per cent of Sussex residents, many chose the ‘Cream Tea’ flavoured ice cream, containing strawberries, clotted cream and poppy seeds, as the taste that conjured up their experiences of the South Downs.

For one day only, on Saturday July 5, this exclusive ice cream flavour will be available for £2 per cup at selected locations across the South Downs including nearby attractions, Lewes Castle (10am-1pm) and Seven Sisters Sheep Centre (2pm -5pm) in East Sussex, and Arundel Castle in West Sussex (2pm-5pm).

Nick Stewart, campaigns & identity project manager for the South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) said: “We hope the Discovery ticket will make our popular attractions and beauty spots easier to visit and better value for money by bus, giving visitors even more of a reason to leave the car at home and explore the South Downs with the kids this summer.

“And because an ice cream is an essential part of any summer day out, we hope families will enjoy our limited edition Cream Tea ice cream as part of the ride!”

Sarah from Downsview Farmhouse, added: “We are passionate about helping people enjoy all that is special about the region and hope that a combination of the new Discovery ticket and a bespoke ice cream flavour becomes the recipe for a perfect summer day out.”

Anyone who travels to one of the selected four locations on Saturday July 5 via bus will receive a free Cream Tea ice cream.

Ice creams will be sold at selected times at Lewes Castle and Seven Sisters Sheep Centre in East Sussex, Arundel Castle in West Sussex and Queen Elizabeth Country Park in Hampshire only.

To make it even easier for families to Discover the South Downs National Park on a budget the SDNPA is working with the most popular attractions in the area to offer 2-4-1 entry to reward those who leave the car at home and arrive by bus including Seven Sisters Sheeps Centre.

Sussex residents can share their picnic experience on social media with #DiscoveryTicket. For further information visit www.discoveryticket.co.uk or follow @sdnpa on Twitter for updates.