Protecting the beauty of the South Downs for over 100 years
Our Purpose
We are an independent organisation dedicated to protecting the South Downs. Through a programme of activities and engagement, we aim to promote the beauty of the South Downs so that all who live, work and visit may share our love for all it has to offer and support us in campaigning for its protection.
What We Do
Nature Recovery
Wildlife has been depleted on the South Downs. The Friends share the view that we should do what we can to help nature recover, so we are helping to finance nature recovery projects across the Park, from water health projects to ‘no-fence’ collars for cattle.
Working with Children and Young People
We invest heavily in supporting children and young people to get to know and appreciate the South Downs, especially children who might not otherwise have the chance to visit the area. We consider that encouraging children to value the Downs is a great investment for the future.
Planning
We seek to ensure a robust planning policy framework and comment on planning applications both within and adjacent to the Park that have the potential to affect its special qualities to conserve and enhance the South Downs National Park.
A welcome from our President, Gus Christie, Executive Chairman of Glyndebourne
“Friends of the South Downs is an organisation which helps to promote and shine a light on this beautiful landscape, encouraging people of all ages to get out and enjoy the downlands and valleys, the flora and fauna, and the peace and beauty of nature. Having been born and raised amongst the Downs, it is my pleasure to serve as their President and hope this website can enrich, educate and inspire our visitors.”
Become a Member
We are the only membership organisation dedicated to protecting the South Downs.
Our three broad aims
Those aims help achieve our objective of conserving and enhancing the beauty and amenities of the South Downs.
Engaging people
Valuing the landscape
Promoting nature recovery
Make a donation
Help us to conserve and enhance the South Downs for generations to come with an online donation, or by leaving a legacy.
Latest News and Updates
Choosing just one favourite place in the National Park is difficult, and there are many places that we love and have special meaning. Our trustees have reflected on some of…
September 2026 marks the centenary of the campaign launched by the Society of Sussex Downsmen (now Friends of the South Downs) to save the Crowlink valley in East Sussex from…
Recently, trustee David Taylor led a team of eight volunteers in the task of clearing up redundant tree guards. The location was an East Sussex rural estate near Ditchling and…
The Clouded Yellow is a striking yellow butterfly in the whites-and-yellows family, a vibrant, migratory species that regularly visits the South Downs from North Africa and southern Europe. The female…
