One Of Britain's Best Road Trip Routes Is A Scenic Coastal Drive With Majestic Cliffs, Wineries, And Beaches

The South Downs National Park offers a beautiful natural escape, resplendent with all the idyllic cliches you'd expect of the English countryside. It sweeps gently eastward across a picturesque stretch of Britain's countryside, beginning with market towns and undulating farmlands. The landscape unfolds through lush woodland paths, winding country lanes, and cobbled villages with charming thatched cottages. Eventually, the scenery tumbles dramatically via the iconic Seven Sisters white cliffs, to rugged beaches and into the deep blues of the English Channel, where you'll find car-free islands like pretty Sark, a favorite of stargazers.

Driving the South Downs is a journey in itself, where gentle curves and undulating roads take you through whisper-quiet villages, sheep and cow-dotted hillsides, and sweeping vistas that change with the seasons. Take your time on the country roads, as some of them, though scenic, can be hazardous, and be sure to make frequent stops at medieval churches and countryside pubs to really get a feel for the region.

The closest major airport to the South Downs is London's Heathrow, at about 50 miles away. The drive from the airport takes around one hour and 26 minutes, but it makes sense to journey via the capital to see some of the main sights, like Kensington Gardens, the most vibrant gardens in the world. If you're traveling to the region by public transport, then the best route is by direct train from London's Clapham Junction to Arundel, which takes around one hour and 20 minutes.

The drive between Winchester and Eastbourne offers a mix of timeless English countryside and dramatic coastal vistas, especially along the A272 and B-roads that cut through the national park. Indeed, the South Downs is an ideal road trip for those who prefer slow driving and accidental discoveries over motorway pursuits of multiple destinations.

The big town here is Arundel, the gateway to the South Downs, a historic market town with cozy tea rooms and antique shops brimming with sculptures and well-worn books. Towering above the town is the exceptional Arundel Castle, surrounded by a lovely collection of manicured gardens. Despite still being a private residence for the Earl of Arundel and his family, much of it, including the wonderful gardens, is open to visitors. Alongside the castle, the 19th-century Arundel Cathedral adds a striking companion piece, and together, they crown Arundel like a pair of sentinels, particularly dramatic when viewed from the surrounding hills. Be sure to visit the castle's gardens to see the spring and summer flower displays, and the romantic water gardens with idyllic fountains and various water features linked by walkways and bridges.

As the English summers start to heat up, you might want to think about seeking sanctuary in the magical Kingley Vale, just outside Chichester. Kingley Vale is a nature reserve with a forest with winding paths for exploration, but the yew trees are some of England's oldest, gnarled and contorted into shapes that wouldn't look out of place in a fairytale. To add to the charm, there are orchids here too, and at least 39 species of butterflies call these woods home.

Walkers and cyclists can follow the well-marked South Downs Way, which sweeps 90 miles across the countryside from Winchester to Eastbourne, taking in picturesque villages and stunning scenery. It's an epic walk, tracing the contours of hills and riverbanks before reaching its dramatic finale at the emblematic white chalk cliffs of the Seven Sisters, the eastern edge of the South Downs. Here, the landscape slowly transforms into the Seven Sisters Country Park, offering breathtaking coastal walks via secluded coves and windswept beaches that gaze toward France.

For magical nights in the South Downs, head to Butser Hill, arguably the finest spot for stargazing in the South Downs Dark Sky Reserve. People travel here for the uninterrupted, 360-degree views that, on clear nights, boast blankets of stars spilling across the sky in diamond clarity. But it's a great spot for daytime views too, with panoramas stretching all the way to the coast.

This part of the English countryside, and in particular Sussex, is resplendent with not just lovely countryside hotels but also lacy vineyards growing English wines. Indeed, Southeast England is home to many of the country's finest wines. For a mix of country house and vineyard, drive into the hills to the Pig in the South Downs, who alongside lovely country house rooms and delightful gypsy huts with outdoor showers, have grown 4,000 vines since opening. Close by, the little village of Houghton has a wonderful pub called the George and Dragon, which dates back to the 13th century with a timbered roof that leans slightly into the lane.