South Downs
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Near Beachy Head |
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Geology of the South East, Chalk is light green (6) |
The
South Downs is one of the two areas of
chalk downland in southern
England. The
North and South Downs run parallel to each other, and would once have formed part of the same dome-shaped chalk outcrop. (See
Southern England Chalk Formation.)
Erosion, however, has removed the chalk between the two ridges, forming an area called the
Weald.
The South Downs extend about 70 miles (100 km) through
East Sussex,
West Sussex, and part of
Hampshire. The
South Downs Way is a bridleway that follows the South Downs. Settlements include
Eastbourne with its 164-metre-high headland
Beachy Head,
Lewes,
Brighton,
Hove,
Portslade,
Shoreham-by-Sea,
Washington,
Arundel, and
Midhurst.
The most famous
cliffs of the South Downs, apart from
Beachy Head, are the
Seven Sisters, between Eastbourne and
Seaford. The highest point on the South Downs is
Butser Hill, just south of
Petersfield, Hampshire. At 270
m (886
ft) high, it qualifies as one of
England's
Marilyns.
Many parts of the South Downs have been designated
Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in England.
A
national park in the South Downs is proposed, and received support from the government in September
1999.
As of 2004, a
public inquiry is being held to decide the boundaries of the proposed national park. The designation process is expected to take another two to three years.
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South Downs Virtual Information Centre
