South Downs Discover More Tour 2025

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2031

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1-888-597-3519

905-639-9954

dhtour@dhtour.ca

8 Days / 7 Nights
Availability : July 18 and October 10
Start: Abingworth Hall, Thakeham, West Sussex, England
End: Abingworth Hall, Thakeham, West Sussex, England
South Downs Discover More Tour: 7 nights based at Abingworth Hall, Thakeham, West Sussex

Contact DHTour at 1-888-597-3519 or 905-639-9954 or dhtour@dhtour.ca to book.

Explore Sussex and the South Downs like a local with this fascinating small-group tour. From visiting the legendary Devil’s Dyke and discovering its rich folklore to delving into the Arts and Crafts heritage of Ditchling, your adventure begins in spectacular fashion. Over the course of 5 days, you’ll get to taste award-winning wines at the Wiston Estate, walk through the wildlife haven of Pulborough Brooks, and uncover Roman history at Bignor Villa. There’ll also be a trip to historic Hever Castle, a chance to watch traditional crafts in action at Amberley Museum, plus a scenic ride on the Bluebell Railway.

Tour Details

Highlights:

  • Exclusive small-group tours with expert guides
  • Exploring Pulborough Brooks and Devil’s Dyke on foot
  • Discovering the area’s rich heritage
  • Wine tasting and tour at the Wiston Estate
  • Soaking up views of the High Weald from the Bluebell Railway

Pick Up Location & TIme

Abingworth Hall, Storrington Road, Thakeham, West Sussex, RH20 3EF (Google Map)
4:00pm – You’re welcome to check into the country house hotel from 4pm onwards.

Drop off Location & Time

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way onward.

Price Includes

  • High quality en-suite upgraded accommodation at Abingworth Hall
  • Excellent food in our country house, full board (B,L,D daily)
  • The services of our knowledgeable leader, ensuring you get the most from your holiday
  • Full-day excursions with all transport on touring days in a good-quality, comfortable mini-coach
  • All entrance fees

Meals

All meals from afternoon Cream tea on arrival day, to breakfast on departure day
  • 7 breakfasts
  • 6 lunches
  • 7 dinners
  • 1 tea

Price Excludes

  • Airfare
  • Transfers
  • Pre / Post hotel nights
  • Travel to/from the Country Hotel (The nearest railway station is Pulborough)
  • Driver / Tour Leader gratuity is at your discretion
  • Travel Insurance
What to Expect

Unpack Once!

Explore places of interest, beauty, heritage and wonder. Enjoy active guided sightseeing on relaxed-pace trips to revel in the history, landscapes, architecture and culture of your chosen destination. Our knowledgeable leaders will provide fascinating detail to bring it all to life. Travel between locations by mini-coach or public transport following a carefully planned itinerary.

  • Accommodation at a country house hotel
  • Full Board Meals – from dinner on arrival day to breakfast on departure day
  • Knowledgeable leader
  • Transport between locations

All our carefully-curated itineraries are designed by our experts. While we make every effort to adhere to the described itinerary, we may take alternative routes or adapt the running order for weather and/or operational reasons.

On each Discovery day, you will be walking roughly 3-5 miles (5-8km) throughout the course of the day as you explore the venues and locations we visit. You’ll also be hopping on and off the coach throughout – you should expect to spend the majority of the day on your feet. Most of this walking will be at attractions but some may be across country tracks or footpaths so be sure to bring sturdy shoes. There will also be stairs to climb in the majority of the venues you visit, though other more accessible options may be available. At some venues, there may also be uneven surfaces, such as cobbles or rocky paths.

Itinerary

Day 1Arrival Day

You’re welcome to check in from 4pm onwards. Enjoy a complimentary cream tea on arrival. (D, T)

Accommodation: Abingworth Hall

Day 2Devil’s Dyke & Ditchling

Our holiday begins with a stop at Devil’s Dyke, a site steeped in folklore and whose known history stretches back to the Iron AgeWe will take a short walk along the valley to stretch our legs and gain an appreciation of the fabulous Sussex downland. Later, we shall continue on to Ditchling and join a village expert on a walking tour, highlighting the Arts and Crafts heritage of the area which continues to impact local life in the present day. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: Abingworth Hall

Day 3Wiston Estate

Situated only a short drive from our base in Abingworth is the Wiston Estate. Spread over 6000 acres of downland, the estate covers a huge landscape of protected woods and farmland. Once there, we will visit the Wiston winery on an award-winning tour with an expert guideThe South Downs are known for their chalky terroirone which produces exceptional English wines. So, after our tour, there will be a tutored tasting of a selection of Wiston wines before we return to Abingworth Hall. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: Abingworth Hall

Day 4Free day

A free day for you to explore the local area or to relax in the Country House. Our Discovery Points help you make the most out of your free day. There’s plenty of maps and a selection of the best local walking routes, as well as weather forecasts and public transport options – plus details about other places to visit. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: Abingworth Hall

Day 5Parham House & Pulborough Brooks

Built in 1557 and lived in as a family home to this day, Parham House is one of the area’s finest Elizabethan mansions. We will join a specialist house guide for a tour of Parham before enjoying some free time to explore the gardens and grounds. In the afternoon, we’ll pay a visit to RSPB Pulborough Brooks, a true haven for wildlife found only a stone’s throw from our base in Abingworth. Here, we will join a nature expert on a guided walk of the reserve to learn more about the conservation work undertaken by the RSPB team to preserve this special landscape. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: Abingworth Hall

Day 6Bignor Roman Villa & Amberley Museum

Housing some of the most detailed and complete Roman mosaics in the UK, the exhibition and museum at Bignor shine a light on Sussex’s ancient past. We’ll explore the site with a specialist guide to delve into the history of the Villa and the area’s Roman heritage. In the afternoon, we will leap forward over several centuries to find out more about the region’s past at Amberley Museum. The site brings together a range of traditional craftspeople, heritage exhibitions, and more, so there will be plenty to explore on both a guided visit and during some free time. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: Abingworth Hall

Day 7Hever Castle & Bluebell Railway

Today’s trip takes us just over the Kentish border to Hever Castle, once home to the Boleyn family and its most infamous member, Anne. A site expert will join our group here for a private tour of the castle to learn about its storied past and how the team aim to conserve the site today. There will be free time at Hever to enjoy the gardens before we hop aboard the Bluebell Railway to break up our return journey to Abingworth. (B, L, D)

Accommodation: Abingworth Hall

Day 8Departure Day

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home. (B)

Dates and Prices
Departure Dates Per person (single or twin) Single in a double room
2025: July 18 $3,250 $3,530
2025: October 10 $3,250 $3,530

Pricing

Pricing is per person (pp) based on single/twin/double occupancy.

Supplement applied for single in a double room.

Rates include room upgrade (premium) and membership fees. 

Rates are in $ CAD.


Contact DHTour at 1-888-597-3519 or 905-639-9954 or dhtour@dhtour.ca to book.

Ask us for the best available pricing for your dates & choice of airline. We can assist in your travel to/from the Country House.

During your Discovery Tour you’ll have the opportunity to visit many fascinating places. The following is our provisional programme, and your leader may adjust it at their discretion, taking into account factors such as weather, local opening times, or other events. This holiday includes active sightseeing and you should expect to spend lots of time on your feet.

Most admissions to places of interest are not included. Please allow up to £25 per day for admissions to all the places of interest we will be visiting. The full adult price is given but there are usually good reductions for parties and seniors. If you are a member of the National Trust, English Heritage or similar, remember to bring your card for free admission to their properties. Please bring cash as card machines are not always available at all venues.

Sometimes things happen beyond our control – the weather, traffic jams or changes at the places we visit. If we need to adjust your holiday programme, for whatever reason, your leader will help smooth the way.

Travel Details:
Address is: Abingworth Hall, Storrington Road, Thakeham, West Sussex, RH20 3EF

By Rail:
The nearest railway station to Abingworth Hall is Pulborough. Please note that Pulborough station has a short platform, check the departure boards for which carriage to sit in.

By Taxi:
The 6-mile journey from Pulborough railway station takes approximately 15 minutes. Please try to avoid arriving at Pulborough station between 2.45pm and 3.20pm, as there may not be taxis available for your onward journey to Abingworth Hall due to school pick-ups. You can pre-book a taxi from our recommended taxi company, MJ Cars. The price for a 4-seat taxi is around £16. 8-seat taxis are also available at a higher rate. Please pre-book your taxi at least 7 days in advance by contacting:

MJ Cars*
Tel: +44 (0)1903 745414
Email: mjcars@btconnect.com
The return journey can be arranged on your behalf by the Abingworth Hall Manager.
*MJ Cars is not owned or managed by us.

By Car:
From the M25 take either the A24 or the M23 and then the A264 towards Horsham. At the Great Daux roundabout go south on the A24 towards Worthing. Go straight over 2 roundabouts and then at the traffic light cross roads turn right onto the A272 signposted to Billingshurst and Petersfield. After 3 miles turn left onto the B2139 (The Selsey Arms on left). After 3.5 miles pass the turning for Thakeham on the left. After half a mile, Abingworth Hall is on the left, directly after the national speed limit signs.

From the M27 continue onto the A27 and around Chichester. At Fontwell Park roundabout take the first exit to continue on the A27 and at the next roundabout take the first exit on to the A29. After approx. 4 miles, at a roundabout, take the 2nd exit on to the B2139 to Storrington. At the mini roundabout in Storrington, take the 2nd exit onto the A283. Continue through Storrington and take the first exit at the mini roundabout by the Anchor Inn on to the B2139 towards Thakeham. Take the 2nd exit at the next mini roundabout and then take the 1st exit at next mini roundabout (by Steyning Grammar School). Continue down this road until you see 30mph signs. Abingworth Hall is just before these signs, on the right.

Hotel Descriptions
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Abingworth Hall

Tucked away in the village of Thakeham at the foot of the South Downs, Abingworth Hall has stood in one form another since the 13th century. Gutted by fire, it was rebuilt in 1910 in its current distinctive style. As well as 27 ensuite rooms the house has all the ingredients you need for the perfect country house stay: three comfortable lounges with squishy sofas to kick back in, the largest of which opens onto an attractive conservatory and bar in which to dally, great food and super-comfy rooms to retire to. You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to walking here; go for a lazy amble around the wildlife rich chalk Downlands to discover a colourful tapestry of historic villages, thatched cottages, pastoral landscapes and vibrant market towns. Highlights of your stay might include the Seven Sisters, the Glorious Goodwood estate, the Devil’s Dyke and Chantonbury Ring, as well as Arundel and the National Trust property at Petworth. Take your pick.

Address: Abingworth Hall, Storrington Road, Thakeham, West Sussex, RH20 3EF

Room Amenities: Tea & coffee-making facilities, TV, Hairdryer, Toiletries, Wi-Fi

Stay in one of the Hall’s smartly presented rooms, which make use of every nook-and-cranny in the interesting architecture of this characterful house. With 27 bedrooms, Abingworth Hall has plenty of space and there’s a range of ‘Classic’ and ‘Premium’ Rooms to choose from. Clean and bright, with accent colours to offset the simple palette, the rooms are airy and light. Premium Rooms might have a feature wall or strong print wallpaper as well as pretty tiles in the ensuite bathroom.

Premium Rooms are more spacious en-suite guest rooms. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, body lotion, shower gel), and a 32-inch TV. Extras include bathrobes, slippers, and comfortable mattresses.

Hotel Amenities: Free Wi-Fi, boot room and drying room, extensive garden, outdoor swimming pool, multi-purpose activity room, three lounges, library and board games to borrow

After a day strolling on the South Downs, come back to the house and its specially tailored walkers’ facilities. Relax in the large gardens and sit by the pretty pond, turn your hand to croquet or practice on the putting green. Ease through a couple of lengths of the heated outdoor pool if you’ve still got energy to burn. Hole up in the light-filled conservatory with pretty views of the gardens or retire to the Drawing Room with its wood-panelled walls, log burner, library of books to browse and comfy seats to sink in to; there’s a telescope for you to scour the night sky too. In the evening, take your seat in the bar or join fellow guests in the large ballroom for the evening activity.

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