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Printed by KHL Printing, Singapore.

All photographs by Kev and Linda Reynolds.

Dedication

This book is dedicated to all who worked so hard, for so long, to make the South Downs a National Park

Acknowledgements

Those of us who walk on the South Downs owe a debt of gratitude to generations of landowners who tended this cherished landscape with loving care; to those who fought for so long to have it recognised as a National Park, among them countless individuals (too numerous to mention by name), as well as the South Downs Campaign, Council for National Parks, The Ramblers, CPRE, and Hilary Benn MP who, as Environment Secretary, finally gave the go-ahead for it to become England’s 10th National Park after more than 60 years of longing. On a more personal note, I am grateful to local enthusiasts and unnamed historians whose booklets and leaflets, often on sale in village churches, provided useful background information to some of the areas visited. Our good friend Maggie Dilley accompanied us on several of these walks to add to our enjoyment, but as ever it was my wife who shared every mile, every smile and every view, and whose loving support made the research and writing of this book such an enriching experience. I’m also grateful to Jonathan Williams for his eagerness to add this guide to the Cicerone list, and to his production team (Lois, Neil, Caroline and Clare and editor James Deboo) whose skills, talents and friendship are all treasured.