Try Geocaching in hundreds of acres of countryside

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Geocaching (pronounced geo-kash-ing) combines technology with a wonderful outdoor treasure hunt for the digital generation to enjoy the fresh air and walking whilst introducing you to beautiful and interesting locations.

There are thousands of geocaches worldwide and the whole family can discover National Trust locations and events.

Established in 2003 to provide a national geocaching organisation, The Geocaching Association of Great Britain (GAGB) serves as a UK point of contact for geocachers, landowners, the media and others interested in geocaching. GAGB publish ‘Seeker’, a regular e-magazine with UK caching articles, news and reviews. The GAGB will also try to find a local cacher to assist you in your area if required.

Choose a cache and enter the co-ordinates into your GPS, follow your GPS towards the spot then use your wits to find a small waterproof box containing a few varied items, Fill out the log book and return the cache to its hiding place. You are welcome to add to the items especially if you take an existing item from your find. Log the coordinates of your cache find on OpenCaching along with any notes and pick your next one.

OpenCaching is a free website dedicated to Geocaching where you can join the high tech game of hide and seek to search for hidden treasures in the great outdoors.

Sign up your GPS device (or smart phone) to cache near you on Geocaching

National Trails

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Many of our campers are avid cyclists, horse riders or walkers and love travelling long distances through the best landscapes.

Published by Aurum Press the official guidebook to the National Trail is an informative and accurate way to help you enjoy the Trail. For the modernist and tech savvy, there are digital national trail maps that can be accessed using your iPhone or pad which provide details such as how to find alternative trails, public amenities, campsites, car parks, public transport and places to eat and drink.

There are fifteen National Trails in England and Wales and The New Lipchis Way is just one of the trail exploration opportunities offered by the South Downs Way. First conceived in the 1980’s by a group of Liphook Ramblers, The New Lipchis Way is a delightful three day walking trail linking Chichester Harbour with Liphook that is clearly shown on the Ordnance Survey Explorer maps 120 & 133. West Sussex County Council provided a small grant to Keith and Sally from ‘Footprints of Sussex’ who way marked the trail and produced a simple trail guide in 2008. Following this the route was extended southwards down to East Head at the entrance to Chichester Harbour. The route follows the National Trust permissive path from Woolbeding Bridge, around the river valley, to North Street Midhurst and then along through the town centre.

Thanks to the support from the South Downs National Park Authority’s Sustainable Communities Fund, the South Downs Way has a new trail facility in the form of Pyecombe church which is now open for public use 10am – 6pm during the summer and in the winter months from 10am – 4pm. Situated directly on the South Downs Way, this Norman church has a newly installed information panel for people to discover more about the fascinating history of its surrounding area.

Light refreshments are available on request for large groups who can contact Jill Munday on 01273 566276 and cyclists and walkers can make a hot drink or refill bottles in the newly accessible toilet and kitchen.

Adur Valley Wildlife and Sussex Wild Flora

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Grazed by cattle and sheep, the southern boundary of West Sussex is the South Downs, a magnificent range of rolling chalk hills that stretch for ninety miles across Sussex and into Hampshire.

Ideal for nature loving campers, The South Downs Way is a long distance bridleway that follows the crest of the hills from Winchester to Beachy Head at Eastbourne.

The South Downs Natural Area is rich in animal and plant species because of the wide variety of countryside from ancient woodland and wetland and arable fields to chalk cliffs.

The grasslands of the South Downs are rich in birds, butterflies, moths, plants and wild life with nearly fifty per cent of the orchid species that are native to Britain found here including the honey-scented Musk Orchid, Spider Orchid, the Bee and the Early Purple.

Plants such as the rare Early Gentian which like calcium rich soils and the Round-Headed Rampion flourish in this beautiful countryside.

The scrub, plateau and scarp woodlands are home to birds such as the Nightjar and Nightingale whilst Peregrines breed on the chalk cliffs. Bird species include Grey Partridge, Lapwing, Linnet, Skylark and Stonechat.

Nature watchers can spot a wide range of moths including the Blood Vein, the Large Yellow Underwing and the brightly coloured green and pink Elephant Hawk Moth.

The South Downs geology is comprised of relatively soft chalk containing bands and seams of flint that form tilted layers. From the Cretaceous period both the chalk and flint are formed from the remains of animals and plants. The South Downs soil type, called rendzina, is largely responsible for the diversity of small, low-growing herbs in this area as it is rich in calcium, well drained and of thin consistency and allows slow rates of plant growth.

Look out for badgers, deer, foxes and rabbits within this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty as well as stunning views and delightful villages and rural hamlets to explore.

For Adur Valley nature notes click here

Wombell Campsite and The South Downs Way

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The South Downs Way is perfect for nature lovers and passes through an extraordinary range of diverse habitats from ancient woodlands, chalk grassland and river valleys, to coastal habitats and mixed farm land.

The Trail of South Downs Way can be enjoyed as one long distance journey or as a series of separate excursions. Walking, cycling or horse riding along the South Downs Way offers the opportunity to experience some of the finest landscapes in Britain.

One of fifteen National Trails in England and Wales, The South Downs Way was the first bridleway National Trail in England and lies uniquely and entirely within a National Park.

Almost all blissfully off-road its stunning 160 kilometre length stretches from the famous white chalky sea cliffs of Seven Sisters and Beachy Head at Eastbourne to the ancient cathedral city of Winchester in the west.

The entire 160 kilometre route has exceptional views of the high heathlands of the Western Weald and Blackdown, the Solent, the Isle of Wight, the heavily wooded Weald of Sussex, the receding ridges of the Chalk Downs themselves as well as the distant ridge of the North Downs and gives you the opportunity to see some of the finest historical sites including Chanctonbury Ring, Devils Dyke or the great iron age hill forts of Old Winchester Hill. There are more recent sites such as WWII defensive sites and Uppark House or a number of ancient burial sites and cross dykes.

For further information on the South Downs Way click and visit www.nationaltrail.co.uk