A Way in a Day - Friday 21 June
Members of the public are invited to join South Downs National Park staff and volunteers on 21 June for their Way in a Day event, which will see them cross the 100 mile length of the park over the course of the day.
Participants can join in on 4 of the planned 16 sections of the trail. The starting points of the walks have been selected for their accessibility and sustainable transport links.
Discovery Bus Ticket
Those taking part are encouraged to make use of the Discovery Bus Ticket, which covers the majority of bus operators in the area and which will operate a special discount on the day, with adult tickets available for £7 and family tickets available for just £10.
The Discovery ticket is offered through a partnership between Brighton & Hove City Council, the South Downs National Park, neighbouring county councils and the region’s bus operators. It allows people to explore everything the region has to offer by bus; offering unlimited travel across the South Downs National Park and beyond in the South of England. A family day ticket for up to five people is just £17.50.
Staying healthy and active
Improving people’s health and well-being is a key objective of our Local Transport Plan, which has seen continued investment across a range of transport projects that provide for and promote sustainable, active travel. This includes working in partnership with the region’s transport operators to provide easy access to walking trails and areas of natural beauty in the South Downs and along the coast.
We've been shortlisted for a national award
Last month, it was announced that Brighton & Hove had been shortlisted to win Britain’s Best Walking Neighbourhood Award 2019 after being chosen as one of ten finalists by national walking charity, The Ramblers.
Announcing the finalists, the charity stated that the city was shortlisted because of its great access to green space and the seafront and specifically the strong community engagement in making its streets lively and full of events, art, things to see and places to go.
Walks in and around the city
Brighton & Hove’s famous seafront promenades and undercliff walks provide 13km of off-road walking for residents and visitors and 40% of the city is within the South Downs National Park.
The council funds three ‘Breeze up to the Downs’ bus routes to help everyone enjoy even more of the Downs on their doorstep. The Breeze bus routes, to Stanmer Park, Devil’s Dyke and Ditchling Beacon are funded in partnership with the National Trust and South Downs National Park.
We also boast around 147 city parks including heritage parks, playing fields and green spaces. Of our major parks, seven have been awarded Green Flags by the Keep Britain Tidy Campaign.
Vote for us as Britain's Best Walking Neighbourhood
Local residents and visitors are encouraged to vote for the city online. Voting is open until 30 June and the winner will be announced in a special event at the House of Commons on 10 July.
Chair of the Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee, Councillor Anne Pissaridou, said: “We are in a very lucky position to be situated between the coast and the South Downs. Both are areas of outstanding natural beauty and we are proud to be recognised as a UNESCO World Biosphere Region.
“Our partnership with local bus operators means that everyone can enjoy days out in the South Downs and get there using sustainable travel. I love walking and have walked the South Downs Way many times and I hope many people take advantage of the range of transport on offer including walking, cycling and bus travel to enjoy all that Sussex has to offer.
“I would also encourage residents and visitors to vote for us in The Rambler’s Britain’s Best Walking Neighbourhood Award 2019, which recognises the work that has been done to make the city accessible and pleasant to walk around.”