The South Downs
The Area
If your property search should take you to the south coast of England, the South Downs area has a lot to offer the savvy property buyer. The gentle, rolling hills stretch from Winchester and the Itchen Valley in the west to Eastbourne’s Beachy Head cliffs. The area includes the towns of Petersfield, Liss, Liphook, Midhurst, and Lewes, the county town. For the whole of the South Downs National Park, the population is around 110,400.
The South Downs National Park itself also incorporates parts of the Weald in Sussex. With its mild, warm climate and fertile agricultural land, it’s not surprising many Recoco buying agents would recommend it.
Travel
The South Downs are relatively car-friendly, particularly outside rush hour. Trains from London Victoria or Waterloo take around 60 to 90 minutes to reach Winchester or Lewes. Buses and trains run between the major towns, although the frequency varies, and can be seasonal. London Gatwick and Southampton are the nearest airports, with Portsmouth Harbour the nearest major port.
The History
This area has been continuously settled since ancient times, with the Romano-British era particularly important. The landscape is littered with archaeological remains, including the Long Man of Wilmington, carved into the chalk. He continues to bemuse, amuse and attract, although in modern times “Long Man” is as likely to mean the nearby brewery as the carving. There was some talk of turning the South Downs area into a National Park as early as the 1920s, although it wasn’t until 1999 that government support was thrown behind the idea. On 1 April 2011, the South Downs National Park was finally declared.
Leisure and Events
The South Downs area offers an ideal location for gentle outdoor pursuits. Property buyers who invest in the area can enjoy geocaching, horse-riding, cycling, and some exceptionally pretty walking routes. The Downs are home to diverse wildlife, from dragonflies to bats, as well as the rare Adonis Blue Butterfly. In May 2016 the South Downs National Park became the world’s newest International Dark Sky Reserve (IDSR), while keen stargazers can also head for the South Downs Planetarium in Chichester.
If you notify your Recoco property finder that culture is important, they will be delighted to tell you that Chichester Festival, Lewes Bonfire Night celebrations, and world-class opera at Glyndebourne are just some of the annual events within easy reach. Glorious Goodwood is also nearby.
Education
Educational facilities can often be a deciding factor in a property search, and Recoco buying agents will be happy to outline the local primary schools, many rated outstanding or good by Ofsted. For secondary schools, which are a mix of academies, special schools, and community colleges, the picture is more mixed, with only a small number rated above average and one well above average. Your Recoco property finders will be able to help you track down the latest data on Independent Schools: Ofsted rates most “above average”. For post-16 education, Sussex Downs, East Sussex College Group, Havant and South Downs, and Bexhill College, as well as Chichester, Southampton, Brighton, and Portsmouth Universities are all nearby.
Celebrity Connections
Many authors are associated with this part of the world, including Jane Austen, Rudyard Kipling, Alfred, Lord Tennyson, and Virginia Woolf. Potential property buyers will encounter many of the same timeless landscapes that entranced the artist Turner. Other celebrities with links to the area include Dame Maggie Smith, Dame Vera Lynn, Piers Morgan, and Jayne Torvill.
Foodies’ Corner
This part of England is known for its delicious produce, from the “superfood” watercress of the Itchen Valley to artisan cheeses, organic dairy products, and wild venison. Ask your Recoco property finder to point you in the direction of the excellent microbreweries within the park, as well as vineyards producing some of the best sparkling wine in England.
Eateries are quite spread out, but taking a breather in the middle of your property search to visit one or two will give a good idea of what’s on offer. Traditional English fare includes hog roasts and meals at an almost endless choice of cosy English pubs – names range from Unicorns to Foxes. Other cuisines on offer include tapas, Indian, and Italian. Or ask your property buyer which traditional tearooms and coffee houses they’d recommend.
Fun Fact
You might think that tourism, agriculture or possibly education would be the major employing industry in the South Downs but if you ask your Recoco buying agent, they will confirm that it is, in fact, the motor trade. Education is second. (Only around 3,000 people work in agriculture.)