When can I check in and check out of South Downs Youth Hostel?

On-site accommodation Arrive: 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. Depart by: 10 a.m. Read more

South Downs Youth Hostel

Our camping pods (added by manager 05 Jul 2019)

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Glamping in the grounds of a rural hostel five miles from Lewes
Just off the South Downs Way; half an hour from Brighton by train
Café on site for breakfast, supper and all-day snacks

A stroll in the South Downs, supper sorted for you, and slumbers in smart outdoor accommodation that’s all set up and ready to go… it’s a simple life for folk staying at YHA South Downs, in the gorgeous South Downs National Park five miles south of Lewes. Pretty much everything the rambling traveller could need is provided here – all units are kitted out with beds and bedding, and there’s access to all the hostel’s facilities, including swish indoor bathrooms, a launderette and free wifi. Eats can be had morning, noon and night – good-value breakfasts and sociable dinners are served up for guests, and the café’s open throughout the day for snacks, hot drinks and tipples. All of this means you’re absolved of the need to cart along huge piles of kit – excellent news for those tackling a full exploration of the South Downs Way (which passes by the site) or seeking an escape by public transport (Southease train station is an easy five-minute amble away). There’s bike storage on site for people pedalling their way around, along with car or coach parking for those who require it. Naturally the splendid Sussex scenery is the big draw, but days out around here don’t necessarily have to involve hikes or bike rides; if you fancy a break from such things take jaunts to the beach at Newhaven or make a break for Brighton in half an hour or so. Worn yourselves out? No matter – there are plenty of places to recover on site, including a TV room and a library with board games.

Site type

Open all year

Languages spoken

English

Nearest sites

Unfortunately, we have no nearby bookable sites.

Features

Dogs allowed

Leisure on site

Bar or club house

Cycle hire

Evening entertainment

Fishing

Fitness centre

Games room

Indoor swimming pool

Kids' club

On-site restaurant/cafe

Outdoor swimming pool

Play area

TV room

Take away

Tennis

Watersports

Amenities on site

Bath available

Car parking by pitch/unit

Composting toilet

Disabled facilities

Dog park

Drying room

Food shop

Free wifi

Ice pack freezing

Internet access

Launderette

Parent & baby washroom

Pick-up from public transport

Portable toilet

Pub toilets

Public telephone

Shower available

Toilet block

Washing-up area

Wifi

Groups welcome

Family friendly

Motorcycle friendly

Single-sex groups welcome

Student groups welcome

Rules

Barbecue provided

Barbecues allowed

Campfires allowed

Commercial vehicles allowed

Dogs allowed

Dogs allowed all year

Themes

Budget/backpacker

Peaceful

Walkers' paradise

Utilities

Charging facilities

Chemical disposal

Electric car charging point(s)

Gas cylinders available

Recycling available

Renewable energy

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby

Dog walk nearby

Type

Small (11-25 pitches)

Nearby leisure

Cycling nearby

Restaurant nearby

Location

South Downs Youth Hostel

Itford Farm

Beddingham

Lewes

East Sussex

England

BN8 6JS

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London GMT (GMT+00:00)

GPS

50.83152°N
0.03408°W

Route directions

Coach and car parking are available on site; Southease train station is less than 200 metres' walk away along a quiet lane.

Nearest transport

Coach

2.6 mi Lower Place

2.7 mi South Way

3.2 mi Roderick Avenue

Rail

0.1 mi Southease Rail Station

0.7 mi Southease - Piddinghoe Road

2.5 mi Glynde Rail Station

Ferry

3 mi Newhaven Harbour Ferry Terminal

Airport

14.2 mi Shoreham Brighton City Airport

24 mi London Gatwick Airport South Terminal

24.1 mi London Gatwick Airport

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Local attractions

You don’t have to be a hardcore rambler to stay here – but it’s a mighty fine idea to get in at least a few walks while you’re in the South Downs National Park. Set out on a multi-day extravaganza or just plan some local strolls; either way there’s some cracking scenery to be seen. Lots of trails are suitable for mountain bikes too, and there’s also scope for a bit of rock climbing at High Rocks (45 minutes’ drive) or watersports at the lake in Piddinghoe (20 minutes). Give the legs a bit of a rest with a day spent wandering around the Norman castle in Lewes (10 minutes; also accessible by train), meeting the zoo beasts at Drusillas Park (10 minutes) or taking a ride on the Bluebell Railway (half an hour). And then to the coast… perhaps for a saunter around the Seven Sisters Country Park (20 minutes) or for a day in Brighton (half an hour by car or train) for shops, museums, an aquarium, the pier, the beach, the Royal Pavilion…

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name	Distance	Type	2020	2019	2018	2017
Saltdean	4 mi	Sea	N/A	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent
Seaford	4.9 mi	Sea	N/A	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent
Brighton Kemptown	6.9 mi	Sea	N/A	Excellent	Excellent	Good
Brighton Central	7.9 mi	Sea	N/A	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent
Hove	8.8 mi	Sea	N/A	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Alfriston Clergy House 5.6 mi

Drusillas Park 5.7 mi

Brighton Marina 6 mi

Volks Railway 7.3 mi

Brighton Sea Life Centre 7.4 mi

National Trust

Monk's House 0.9 mi

Alfriston Clergy House 5.6 mi

Sheffield Park Garden 11.6 mi

Wakehurst Place 17.1 mi

Nymans 18.2 mi

Cycle routes

Find local routes on the National Cycle Network - over 12,000 miles of cycling routes.

Other

LEWES BROOKS (CURRENT BOUNDARY FROM 20/01/2005) 2.4 mi

Firle - Alfriston Circular 2.4 mi

Lewes - Breaky Bottom - Undercliff Walk - Brighton Marina 2.8 mi

FIRLE PLACE 2.9 mi

Lewes Circular Walk 2.9 mi

Local events

Glyndebourne Festival (Thursday 16 May 2024 – Thursday 16 May 2024)
Lewes, East Sussex 3.4 mi
Arundel Festival (Saturday 17 August 2024 – Saturday 17 August 2024)
Arundel, West Sussex 25.8 mi

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Reviews

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Does South Downs Youth Hostel have a swimming pool? No View all features
Is South Downs Youth Hostel dog friendly? Yes View all features
What attractions are near South Downs Youth Hostel? You don’t have to be a hardcore rambler to stay here – but it’s a mighty fine idea to get in at least a few walks while you’re in the South Downs … Read more
When can I check in and check out of South Downs Youth Hostel?

On-site accommodation

Arrive: 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Depart by: 10 a.m.

Read more