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Guide to South Downs for Luxury Self-Catering Holidays

What the South Downs Offer for Luxury Self-Catering Breaks

The South Downs National Park stretches over a vast area of around 1600km squared and is home to a diverse landscape of rolling hills, open air, ancient woodlands and beautiful river valleys. There are also lively towns and traditional villages to discover on a luxury cottage holiday, as well as a great history and a multitude of cultural opportunities to enjoy. The area is recognised as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty' and is steeped in history and tradition from the ancient Cathedral in Winchester to bustling market towns. There is plenty for visitors to enjoy on luxury cottage holidays and discover such as craft festivals, country pubs, horse riding, walking and much more.

Find Luxury self-catering cottages in the South Downs

Top Tips on Quality Food and Dining Out in the South Downs

Like most of the National Parks in England, South Downs is home to a multitude of farmers' markets, each giving producers and farmers in the local area the chance to get their fresh, home grown produce out there. Discover delicious vegetables, fish, meats, seafood, herbs and spices, preserves, oils, sauces and breads at a farmers' market near your luxury cottage accommodation and stock up for your stay in the South Downs. Cook up some mouth watering dishes from the comfort of your own luxury kitchen with the help of these wonderful fresh, local ingredients. There is also the annual Hampshire Food festival held in June/July and the Amberley Working Museum Real Ale Festival in September for visitors to enjoy. For wine lovers there is also the Ridgeview Wine Estate where you can find the highest quality sparkling wines.

On the other hand you may prefer not to cook on your holiday and may prefer to try local restaurants for an evening meal out. Some of the restaurants available to you in the South Downs include Fox Goes Free, Cassons, The Royal Oak Inn, Brasserie Blanc and Burpham Country House.

Recommended Activities to Enjoy on a Luxury Cottage Break in the South Downs National Park

With all this lovely food inside you, it may feel as though you need to get out and about to burn it off. The South Downs has a fantastic collection of activities for the active holiday maker to enjoy. Horse riding, walking and cycling are among the most popular activities to enjoy in the South Downs, as well as paragliding, hand gliding, golf, zorbing and mountain boarding for those thrill seeking visitors. There are plenty choices available to you on a luxury cottage break. If that is still not enough there are also many opportunities to enjoy watersports on the coast. Plenty of walking and cycling trails as well as public rights of way weave their way throughout the South Downs so you should never be short of choice when it comes to which way to go.

Places of Interest and Tourist Attractions in the South Downs

If you prefer to enjoy your luxury cottage holiday relaxing and taking in the history and fantastic attractions of the area then you can also find plenty to keep you busy in the South Downs. Bramber Castle, Highdown Gardens, Arundel Castle and High Salvington Windmill may take your fancy whilst on your visit. There is also Parham House and Gardens, Assembley Hall and the Wildfowl and Wetlands Centre. A few more include Herstmonceaux castle, Bateman's Country House and Weald and Downland Open Air Museum. If history and heritage doesn't take your fancy then some family fun attractions may be what you're looking for. You may want to consider visiting places such as Harbour Park, Ashdown Forest Llama Park, Bignor Roman Villa, Brighton Sealife Centre and Fishers Farm Park.

Add an Extra Touch of Luxury...

To add that extra sense of luxury to your cottage holiday why not book seats at the famous Glyndebourne Opera House which is set amongst beautiful gardens. There is also the chance to experience a sunset hot air balloon tour of the wonderful National Park.

More Places of Interest and Tourist Attractions in the South Downs:

The South Downs has its fair share of attractions with places such as Firle Place, Groombridge Place Gardens, 1066 Country, Bodiam Castle, Chichester Cathedral, Pallant House Gallery, Petworth House, Smugglers Adventure and the Observatory Science Centre. Whether you spend you time on your cottage break visiting lots of different sites or instead prefer to laze around and take it easy, have a fabulous time.

Discover the stunning coastline in the South Downs on a luxury self-catering break