Connecting children with the Hampshire Downs of National Park
An exciting initiative to connect schoolchildren with the wonders of the Hampshire Downs returns for 2026. Last year more than 600 children benefitted from school trips and learning opportunities in the National Park, thanks to a generous grant from Friends of the South Downs. The project, called Explorers of the South Downs, is now back
Boxing Season on the South Downs
Walks Leader and Trustee David Taylor recently led an early morning walk on the South Downs looking for Brown Hares. The Norfolk Estate above Storrington and Amberley is a hotspot for hare activity and the day did not disappoint. Being crepuscular, hares are most busy around dawn and dusk, particularly during their peak breeding season
Walking the Petworth Way
We hear from Ian, walks leader, on his reflections on recently completing the Petworth Way LDW with several other FSD members this March. “The Walks Programme occasionally ventures beyond its familiar circular format for something more ambitious: a multi-day linear walk from one point to another. These take a bit more organising (shuttling cars, booking
Clean Water Now: Environmental groups launch major new campaign ahead of Water Reform Bill
New report urges Government to stop pollution at source, fix the broken water system, and restore nature to England’s rivers, lakes and seas in next generation water reforms A major coalition of environmental organisations have launched Clean Water Now, a new report setting out the urgent reforms needed in the upcoming Water Reform Bill. Currently,
Coalition calls for Protected Landscapes to benefit from visitor levy
Campaign for National Parks has joined forces with protected landscapes bodies, leading environmental charities and conservation societies to call on Government to ensure any visitor levy properly supports National Parks and National Landscapes. The Government announced plans in November 2025 to bring forward an overnight accommodation levy for Mayoral Authorities, and a consultation on the
Where Cattle Calmly Graze
How we are supporting Sussex Wildlife Trust with essential conservation at Ebernoe Wildlands Nature Reserve. Ebernoe Wildlands Nature Reserve features one of the richest woodlands for wildlife in the South East. It is a matrix of dense woodland, sunny rides, open glades, and scrubby edges. Barbastelle and Bechstein’s bats, the rarest bats in Europe, make
River Health in the South Downs National Park
I hope you will have seen that the Campaign for National Parks (CNP) of which the Friends is, of course, a member has just published a Report, ‘Rivers at Risk’, on the state of rivers in the National Parks. Its findings make sobering reading, but sadly will not come as a surprise to anyone. You
The Worthing Five Peaks Challenge – supporting Olly’s Future during World Suicide Prevention Week
On Saturday 6th September, David Green, Chair, and David Taylor, FSD Volunteer and Walks Leader, took part in the Worthing Five Peaks Challenge 2025, along with Walks Leader and volunteer Tony Linturn. The 17-mile walking challenge was completed by three groups. The group led by FSD Chair David Green finished 1 hour and 15 minutes
A walk on the wild side at Westerlands
Henrietta, Trustee and Marketing Communications Expert, recounts the guided tour of Westerlands Farm in Graffham, Petworth, led by farm manager Oliver Hancock. Farming is no longer what it once was. With changes in UK tax and government policy, global tariffs and increasing complexities of a fast-changing climate, farmers are having to adapt, and fast. The
Launch of the Free Young Adult Membership
Friends of the South Downs are excited to announce the launch of a new, free membership targeted to people aged 18-30. A new membership programme, aimed at young adults, has recently been launched by the Friends of the South Downs. The aim of the programme is to broaden and expand the membership base and strengthen
