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Monday 8:30am - 1:30pm Tuesday 8:30am - 1:30pm Wednesday 8:30am - 1:30pm

Friends of the South Downs

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Friends of the South Downs

We are a membership charity dedicated to the protection of the South Downs National Park.

18/09/2025

As part of our 'South Downs for All' project across schools in Hampshire, young people have been taking part in engagement sessions exploring natural history and heritage of their local area and of the Downs.

The Weald & Downland museum rescues and conserves historic buildings, teaching traditional trades and crafts to ensure their preservation.

Thanks to funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Friends of the South Downs, not only can the project cover the costs of these visits, it can also pay towards transport costs.

Chris Hare, project manager and local historian, says, "it is rather wonderful to see young faces light up with curiosity and delight as they learn in a very practical way about the South Downs and the national park. We look forward to facilitating more such visits in 2026."

16/09/2025

National Park rivers are at risk ❌

Despite encompassing some of the most biodiverse and sensitive rivers in the country, new data shows that National Parks waterways are neglected, not properly protected and are poorly invested in.

📉57% of water bodies are failing to meet ‘good’ ecological status as required in legislation
🤢254,808 hours of sewage were spilled in National Park rivers in 2024
🧪A toxic chemical cocktail is polluting National Park waterways
🚜 Agricultural pollution of waterways affects 49% of rivers

We’ve demanding action from government ministers in England and Wales to protect National Park waterways with Campaign for National Parks - no more neglect and no more broken promises

https://www.cnp.org.uk/support/campaigns/rivers-at-risk/

11/09/2025

With a new school term underway for many young people in Hampshire and Sussex, our 'South Downs for All' project continues, with visits to our partner organisations.

Gilbert White's House in Selborne is one of the museums where children have experienced both heritage and natural world sessions, framed agains the backdrop of the South Downs. The museum was the 17th century home of natural history pioneer Gilbert White.

Thanks to funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Friends of the South Downs, not only can the project cover the costs of these visits, it can also pay towards transport costs.

10/09/2025

This , we're sharing an important message from : if you think someone might be suicidal, take action, interrupt their thoughts and show them you care. To find out how, visit samaritans.org/WSPD

We are reflecting on the joy of supporting the Worthing Five Peaks Challenge organised by Olly's Futureto mark five years of the charity, which was set up by parents Chris Hare and Ann Feloy in memory of their 22-year-old son Oliver Hare.

The charity provides vital su***de prevention work, including training to help spot signs in someone who may be thinking of su***de, and how to have conversations that could help save their life.

On Saturday 6 September, FSD members supported the Worthing Five Peaks Challenge across a 17 mile walk fundraising vital funds for the charity.

Visit ollysfuture.org.uk/get-help/ or the link in our bio to get help or find out more.

03/09/2025

The best kind of feeling. Making your way uphill on the Downs, and being greeted with views like these🌄

The sorts of views our walkers are greeted with - check out the link in our bio if you fancy joining us for a walk 🥾

📸 N. Watts

02/09/2025

That feeling when you’re halfway through your walk only to be greeted by a rain cloud….

We hope your walking isn’t being dampened by the spells of intermittent downpours we seem to be experiencing! 🌧️

01/09/2025

Fancy joining us for a guided walk this week?

This Friday 5th September (10:00am - 13:30pm) we've got a 6.5 mile stroll from Hascombe to Winkworth, and we'd love for you to join us.

These photos provide a snippet of the route, where the group will make their way across a part of the Greensand Way, Selhurst Common, Thorncombe Street, Winkworth Arboretum, and finally ending up in The White Horse pub for an optional lunch.

If you'd like to spend a Friday morning walking with us, please drop an email to enquiries@socialmedia@friendsofthesouthdowns.org.uk or send us a DM! More information available via the link in our bio - Q3 Walks & Strolls Programme.

20/08/2025

Upcoming event! 🚨

We are excited to be hosting the brilliant Michael Blencowe for an evening of auks and orcas in Chichester.

This is a joint event between Friends of the South Downs and Friends of Chichester Harbour.

📍Tuesday 30th September 2025, 7pm doors open for refreshments for a 7.30pm start. Ticket price includes an arrival drink! This event will take place in the Assembly Room of Chichester Council House, North Street*

Book via the link in our bio, via our website or by scanning the QR code!
🌊⚓

*Please be advised that the Assembly Rooms have stairs to the room we will be using however for those less able there is a lift.

19/08/2025

Look at those views! 🤩

Last week walkers went in search of the Adonis blue starting at Amberley Chalk Pits and making their way across the South Downs Way.

Walks Leader David is also a keen wildlife photographer so led the group to the best spots in search of the beautiful butterfly 🦋

If you fancy joining us for a walk, we’d love to welcome you along! Details in our bio for booking walks or getting in touch with us about the walks and strolls programme.

Speaking of butterflies, we’ve got our Butterflies of the Downs talk this evening at 7pm. FREE tickets in bio! 🔗

Credit: GL and David Taylor, www.sussexnature.co.uk

13/08/2025

As part of our project "South Downs for All" in Hampshire this year, school children epxlored their local patch of the South Downs with guided walks, museum trips and classroom learning.

Funded by Friends of the South Downs and the National Lottery Heritage Fund, school children from across Hampshire visited Gilbert White's House in July with local wildlife expert Michael Blencowe and project manager and historian Chris Hare.

The sessions focus on wildlife of the Downs and are curated to be engaging and informative whilst instilling a love for the Downs.

Thank you to the The National Lottery Heritage Fund for their support and funding for this project.

12/08/2025

Today over 70 of us enjoyed a guided tour of Westerlands Farm in Graffham, kindly offered by Farm Manager Oliver and organised by Gerald Gresham-Cooke.

Against a backdrop of the Downs and under the warmth of the sun we heard of the farm's shift towards a regenerative model balanced with a strong desire to reverse biodiversity loss.

With the rise of loss of outdoor and natural experience due to the digital demand of daily life, we enjoyed the chance to spend time in an environment that is encouraging the very opposite of this loss.

The farm offers a variety of unique experiences that each share the same focus: healing and wellbeing, centred around the natural environment. Visit their website for more information.

Thank you to all those who attended and to the organisers for such an enjoyable day!
Westerlands

06/08/2025

Our South Downs for All Project in Hampshire is well on the way with school visits to Butser Ancient Farm, Weald and Downland Museum, and Gilbert White's House taken over the recent summer term.

Children have enjoyed a mix of classroom and outdoor learning led by project manager Chris Hare and wildlife expert Michael Blencowe, each aimed to give access to the South Downs to groups of school children living in Hampshire.

Here's what Michael had to say on leading outdoors wildlife walks and workshops:

"I've had an enjoyable summer working with seven schools across Hampshire funded by Friends of the South Downs and the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Hundreds of children have joined me on wildlife walks, learning all about their local wildlife as a follow-up to the classroom sessions I delivered earlier in the year.

It’s been an action-packed summer. We’ve been listening out for bats in old railway tunnels in Portsmouth and in straw-roofed Saxon houses in the Weald and Downland museum. We’ve been learning about giant marine reptiles and the formation of chalk and then howling like wolves amongst the dark Yew woodlands high on Harting Down."

Friends of the South Downs are pleased to be able to support education projects that give the opportunity to access the South Downs where it may otherwise not be possible. Thank you to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for supporting the funding of the South Downs for All project.

Address

3 Swan Court, Station Road
Pulborough
RH201RL

Opening Hours

Monday	8:30am - 1:30pm
Tuesday	8:30am - 1:30pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 1:30pm

Website

https://friendsofthesouthdowns.org.uk/

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