![signpost in the courtyard at YHA South Downs YHA South Downs sign](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_4_3/public/media/image/7dc51504__YHA_South_Downs_signpost.jpg?itok=YlecHe2o)
Pilgrimage social walk from YHA South Downs
Friday 13th September 2024 Distance: 9 miles Duration: 7 hours Led by: Dawn Champion, British Pilgrimage Trust This mini pilgrimage is a ‘Bring Your Own Beliefs’ journey for anyone who wishes to find...
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Valid for mid-week stays (Sunday - Thursday) from 1st September - 31st October 2024 using the promo code at the checkout. Promotional terms and conditions apply. YHA members can get 25% off with our exclusive members only code. View all hostels on this offer.
Opened officially by HRH the Queen in 2013, YHA South Downs is a uniquely refurbished Sussex farmhouse in an enviable location right on the South Downs Way. This hostel enjoys substantial grounds of its own and is surrounded by the hills of the South Downs National Park – perfect for anyone wanting to walk in the rolling Sussex countryside.
Guests can make full use of shared spaces in the hostel’s main building – Farmhouse – including a self-catering kitchen and cosy lounge. A café and dining room is available in the Interpretation Centre building, plus a meeting room on the first floor (access also via a platform lift).
YHA South Downs offers bedrooms of varying sizes as well as bell tents, camping pods and Landpods in the grounds. Bedrooms are split across three buildings, with some ground floor bedrooms available in the Granary and Long Barn including an accessible en-suite room with its own entrance. All other bedrooms are located on the first floors of the Granary and Farmhouse buildings. A kitchenette is also available in the Granary for late night cups of tea.
The lively town of Brighton is just a 25-minute train journey away, with Southease station literally on the hostel's doorstep, so guests can easily enjoy the best of both worlds.
Reception opening hours: From 07:30 - 10:00 and 17:00 - 22:00.
Food and drink: Breakfast is served to guests from 07:30 – 09:00 on weekdays and 07:30 – 10:00 at weekends. Meals are also available from 10:00 – 20:30.
Licensed bar: This hostel has a licensed bar offering a range of alcohol and soft drinks. It is not possible for guests to bring their own alcohol, except when hiring the whole hostel through YHA Exclusive Hire.
Self-catering: Guests have access to a self-catering kitchen.
Parking: There is free on-site parking for cars and coaches a short distance from the hostel entrance. There are disabled parking spaces on the central courtyard (closer to the hostel).
WiFi: Free WiFi is available in shared social spaces.
Dogs: Dogs can stay in our camping pods, Landpods and bell tents. There is a £5 charge per dog per night for our camping pod, Landpod and bell tent accommodation which is payable upon arrival. Pets are not permitted in the hostel accommodation at YHA South Downs. Assistance dogs are welcome throughout.
Guest access: YHA South Downs is split across four buildings – Farmhouse, Granary, Interpretation Centre and Long Barn. Bedrooms are located on the ground floors of the Long Barn and Granary buildings and on the first floors of the Farmhouse and Granary buildings (access via stairs only). A platform lift is available for the first floor meeting room in the Interpretation Centre.
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Volunteering with YHA is a fantastic way to have fun, learn new skills, boost your CV and travel to different places. We have a variety of different opportunities to choose from and volunteering roles to suit everyone.
The tasks are varied and in return you will meet some great people, who both work and stay in our hostels, as well as enjoying your time off discovering the local area and attractions.
Find out more and apply to volunteer.
Originally opened as YHA South Downs in 2013, the farmhouses and outbuildings can be dated all the way back to the 1300's. Previous farms have been known to be on the same grounds for over 1000 years.
The buildings have been converted into modern and stylish accommodation in a prime spot along the South Downs Way. The unique design and layout of the buildings give this hostel a distinctive look and feel.
Manager recommends: The circular walk from YHA South Downs along the river Ouse encompassing Rodmell and Southease is a great walk for all ages. In Rodmell you can visit Monk’s house, the home of famous author Virginia Woolf and swing into the lovely Abergavenny Pub for refreshments and food.
Continuing the walk from Rodmell, you will pass through Southease village and its 12th Century Church, one of only 3 round tower churches in Sussex. The village is mentioned in the Doomsday book as a thriving community with one of the largest Herring fisheries in the district at the time. Modern day Southease has a population of around 50 and the fishery is long gone but you can chill out on the village green and catch some sun if you like.
From Southease, it is a short walk back across the river over the Grade II listed cast iron bridge built in 1880 to the hostel. Stop into the Courtyard Café for a coffee and cake... you deserve it.