South Coast Walks & Historical SitesBring intriguing coastal trails and history alive in South Hampshire _w=730_h=400_pjpg.jpg)
Moderate
Tour code: 79845 Last Modified: 12th May 2022 _w=622_h=622_pjpg.jpg)
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Holiday HighlightsSee what's planned
Trip InformationA small and bizarrely overlooked area of the south coast of England offers a concentration of world class attractions to suite every taste. Great walking, lovely coastal views, rolling down land and some of the finest museums in the country make superb ingredients for a truly engaging holiday. Straddling the border between Hampshire and West Sussex where the harbours reach inland to the foot of the South Downs, the area makes for an intriguing holiday base. From our hotel on the edge of the pleasant village of Emsworth we are perfectly located to explore the naval history at Portsmouth, spend two days immersing in the coastal delights of Chichester Harbour on foot and time on the higher ground of the South Downs. All entrances are included on the holiday. The National Museum of the Royal Naval in Portsmouth has so much to see we include an entrance ticket valid for a year so you can come back again and again to enjoy. When exploring the South Downs, we include entrance to the Weald & Downland Museum, home of the BBC’s ‘The Repair Shop’ series. Each day of the holiday brings new delights be they cultural, historical or physical and often all three. What's included?
What's not included?
Holiday GradeThis Grade 4 moderate holiday includes full and half day walks at a moderate pace over hilly terrain and is likely to include an element of sightseeing as well. Half day walking will probably include about 3 hours of walking, with full days having around 5 hours. Expect ascents and descents of up to about 600m. See the 'Proposed Itinerary' section for more information. Our bottom line is happy travellers, and to that end we trust our tour leaders to use the itinerary below as a basis for providing you with a great holiday. We expect our leaders to make adjustments to the itinerary if the weather, group ability or other local conditions make that necessary. There are normally more options available to our leaders than those listed below and one or more of these options may well be chosen. All distances, heights & timings are approximate. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we may unfortunately need to withdraw a tour that is currently confirmed to operate and we therefore reserve the right to cancel your booking. We would always do our utmost to give you plenty of notice should we have to do this. Selected elements of this tour, including local attractions and restaurants, may change at late notice. Please ensure you have valid insurance cover before you travel. Proposed ItineraryDay 1Proposed ItineraryDay 1Arrival dayMeals DinnerAccommodation Brookfield HotelIndependent arrival at the Brookfield Hotel, Emsworth. Check in is from 3pm. At approximately 3.30pm, our leader will offer an optional walk directly from the hotel to the coast of Chichester harbour, then return along the coast to the village of Emsworth. If exploring Emsworth independently look out for the blue plaque commemorating PG Wodehouse on a house on Record Road, a short walk from the hotel. Dinner each evening is in the hotel restaurant. If you can't make the afternoon walk, please aim to be in the hotel bar at approximately 6.30pm to meet your leader. Day 2Day 2Southsea, Portsmouth and the Naval MuseumMeals Breakfast & DinnerAccommodation Brookfield Hotel
After breakfast, we take a private coach to Southsea. From here we will walk along the coast passing King Henry VIII's castle, the D-Day museum, the hovercraft port and the Old Portsmouth defence walls from where Navy Officers families watch as naval ships leave port. Finally, we will arrive at the Royal Naval Maritime Museum. The entrance ticket here (included in the holiday price) allows entrances to HMS Victory, the Mary Rose Museum, HMS Warrior, harbour tours by boat, and the RN submarine museum amongst other things. There is little chance to enjoy all the attractions in one day but your ticket lasts a year so you can come back at a later date and see anything you missed. At the end of a busy day our private coach will take us back to the hotel. Day 3Day 3Singleton and MidhurstMeals Breakfast & DinnerAccommodation Brookfield Hotel
We take a private hire coach today to the Weald & Downland Living Museum at Singleton (north of Chichester) which has now become famous for the BBC 'Repair Shop' TV series. The museum comprises an outdoor experience of reconstructed buildings from different eras. After our time at the museum, the coach takes us to Midhurst to start our walk which will take in the Compton Estate. The entrance fee to the Weald & Downland Living Museum is included in the holiday price. Day 4Day 4The Royal Armoury, Fishbourne and Chichester city wallsMeals Breakfast & DinnerAccommodation Brookfield Hotel
We start with a private coach journey to the Royal Armoury Museum in the impressive Fort Nelson. It is worth visiting for the fort alone. Next we visit Southwick House, HMS Dryad, the former headquarters from where Eisenhower and Montgomery planned the D-Day landings. We have a guided tour to make sure we get the best understanding of the enormous historical significance of what happened here. Continuing our sightseeing we head to the roman palace at Fishbourne. Lastly we get a chance to stretch our legs on a lovely walk around the ancient walls of Chichester. The walks date back 1800 years and clearly delineate the Roman city. There will be time to explore city and particularly the cathedral before returning to our hotel. All entrance fees are included in your holiday price. Day 5Day 5Bosham, Itchenor and Chichester HarbourMeals Breakfast & DinnerAccommodation Brookfield Hotel
Private transport takes us to the attractive village of Bosham (pronounced Bos-Ham), set on the coast and has been inhabited since the Roman times. We walk around Bosham coast to catch the ferry boat across Chichester harbour to Itchenor, where there is a cafe to pop into and get refreshments. We take the shoreline trail past Birdham, Dell Quay and then on to Fishbourne. From Fishbourne we take the public bus back to Emsworth and the bus stop is close by our hotel. Day 6Day 6Departure dayMeals Breakfast
Unusually for a RWH holiday our leader will offer an entirely optional walk on the last day. Clients using public transport will be able to leave luggage at the hotel, car drivers might prefer to load everything into the car before setting out on a walk from the hotel around Thorney Island. It is out and back from the hotel and follows the coast line of Thorney Island. We anticipate being back at the hotel around 14.00 to bid our final farewells. If you do not wish to join the walk today, check out of the hotel is by 11am. We hope you have enjoyed your holiday and look forward to welcoming you on another soon. Walks & ExcursionsLocal Transport CostsAll local transport costs in conjunction with the advertised activity programme are included in the holiday cost. There may be occasions where additional visits or excursions are added to enrich your experience, these will be paid for locally by you if you choose to participate. Local transport can be a mix of private hire coaches, taxis, local buses and ferries depending on the itinerary. Optional ExcursionsA range of local excursions and activities may be available to book at your destination through a local operator. We have no involvement in such activities or excursions which are not run, supervised or controlled in any way by us. Your contract will be with the local activity supplier and we accept no responsibility for their actions or omissions. Spending MoneyHoliday BudgetingWhen budgeting for your holiday, you will need to consider drinks, any meals not included in the holiday price, non-included entrance fees, optional excursions you may choose to participate in locally and any souvenirs or additional services such as laundry. A general guideline for lunches and drinks is £10-£20 per person per day. Entrance FeesThe cost of all entrance fees to sites visited in the itinerary is included in the holiday price. TippingAlthough entirely at your own discretion, tipping is an important aspect of tourism and hospitality life and expectations are fairly high. In order to simplify tipping, we strongly recommend that you allow your leader to take care of making sure tips are given to hotel and restaurant staff and to local guides and drivers. This will be done using some funds provided by us together with, if you wish, a contribution from you, which he/she will collect during the holiday. Tour Leaders & Local GuidesTour LeadersYour tour leader makes the world of difference to your holiday and ours are as passionate about discovering the world on foot as you are. They're resourceful, organised and widely travelled. They will handle all the local administration and other needs that might arise to ensure that you don't have to worry about planning your days and you can enjoy your holiday. Although leading group holidays, they won't forget that every group is made up of individuals. Each tour leader has their own individual style, talents and professional backgrounds and all are trained, qualified, experienced and dedicated to making your holiday as enjoyable, interesting and inspiring as possible. Leader's Evening BriefingEach evening, your tour leader will discuss with you the programme for the following day. This will be your opportunity to discuss the details and ensure the planned activities suit your walking ability. If you have concerns on clothing or equipment, this can be discussed then also. If you do not wish to join the organised group programme, please let the leader know. Your Travel DetailsTo reach The Brookfield Hotel… By car: Located in Emsworth village, The Brookfield Hotel is just off the Havant to Chichester road the A259. For directions, simply enter the hotel's post code into your Sat Nav: PO10 7LF. The hotel has it's own car park but there are limited spaces which are allocated on a first come first served basis. The hotel charges £5.00 per car per night for parking. Public transport: the nearest railway station is at Emsworth which is a 10 minute walk or a 5 minute drive away. We recommend that you pre-book a taxi if arriving by train to take you to the hotel with your luggage. You may also wish to look at the following website for advice on the best way to travel to the hotel: www.rome2rio.com Route planning to and from Emsworth The AA and RAC both offer free and detailed on-line route planning facilities on their websites which may help you find our hotel. Details can be found at: www.theaa.co.uk and www.rac.co.uk Meeting your tour leader and fellow walkers: Please check the time of dinner (approximately 7pm) on arrival at the hotel and aim to be in the hotel lounge half an hour before dinner for an introduction to your tour leader, an outline of the planned programme for your holiday and the chance to meet your walking companions. Personal Details CheckTo ensure that we can accurately administer your holiday arrangements, please confirm that the personal details we hold for you are up to date and that you have provided the information we need to secure your holiday travel and accommodation arrangements. Please check your passport details, date of birth and any other important details necessary for us to properly manage your holiday booking. You can view and update information already provided, and add details not yet asked for, by using the Manage My Booking facility on our website www.ramblersholidays.co.uk, or by calling our Sales and Reservations team on +44 (0)1707 331133. When you receive your booking confirmation please check the details as soon as possible. AccommodationWhere are we going to stay?Brookfield HotelHavant Road, Emsworth, Hampshire, PO10 7LF 01243 373363 The Brookfield Hotel is ideally located in the village of Emsworth about a mile from Emsworth train station. Comfortable rooms include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and tea & coffee making facilities. The restaurant serves traditional British cuisine for lunch and dinner, plus afternoon tea. Other public spaces include a modern bar with lounge seating around a central fireplace, and a garden with table seating. Your holiday includes breakfast and dinner in the hotel. MealsThis tour is on a half board basis. Breakfasts and dinners are offered at the hotel. Breakfasts include cereals, fruit, juices and full cooked options. Dinners are varied and will always include a vegetarian option. Vegan and gluten free diets can easily be catered for. Please note that lunches are not included on this holiday. Footwear & Kit ListFootwearLightweight waterproof walking boots with a good moulded sole (such as Vibram or similar) and a deep tread and which provide ankle support are strongly recommended and may be essential for some walks. General Kit ListOutdoor activities are always safer and more enjoyable if you are prepared. If you have not travelled with us before the following list might be of use:
This list is not exhaustive and every walker is different and may have their own preference. Travel Documents ChecklistDocuments and Information to take with you:
Water To GoAn alternative to bottled water from single-use sealed water bottles is filtered water from a refillable bottle containing its own water filter such as a Water-to-go bottle available from www.watertogo.eu. Just fill up from any water source and save the environment from disposable plastic bottles. We have negotiated an exclusive 15% discount with our partners Water-to-Go for you as a thank you for helping the environment. Please go to their website at www.watertogo.eu and enter the code RWH17 when ordering. In addition, Water-to-Go will match the discount with a donation to our charity, Heart & Sole, which will allow us to continue to make a difference in the countries you visit on our holidays. Maps, Guidebooks & Other InformationMaps, Guidebooks & MoreThe walks carried out on this holiday are covered by the following map: The Map ShopIf you cannot find the maps or books locally we recommend: The Map Shop Tel: 01684 593 146 If you key many of the local places mentioned in this holiday fact sheet into YouTube, you will find a vast array of spectacular footage of the area. WeatherVisit the following websites for an idea of the climate in your destination:
Staying Healthy On HolidayHealth requirements can change at any time. It is your own responsibility to ensure that you inform yourself from a professionally qualified source on, and comply with, such requirements at least 6 to 8 weeks before departure. Advice on vaccinations is available from your GP. Health Advice for United KingdomNo compulsory immunisations are required for holidays in the UK although you should be up to date with the usual immunisations recommended for life in Britain. Tetanus immunisation is recommended. Further Travel AdviceFor further advice please visit:
You might wish to take a small bottle of antibacterial hand gel with you for times when you're unable to wash your hands. Travel InsuranceAlthough not compulsory for British and EU citizens resident in the UK, we strongly recommend that you take out travel insurance to cover you in the event of eventualities such as unexpected cancellation, accident or illness before your holiday or the loss of personal possessions. Visitors who are not British Citizens (or who are not EU citizens resident in the UK), must be adequately insured to join our holidays and will be unable to participate in our local walking and other activity programmes without being able to demonstrate that you have valid travel insurance. Personal SafetyThe UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office provides up to date information on security and local laws for travellers, together with current passport and visa information, at www.gov.uk/travelaware. Please take a few minutes to look at the current advice on your planned destination. Please be aware of what's going on around you, take sensible precautions with your credit cards and passport and avoid displays of wealth such as wearing expensive jewellery or watches. Do not carry more cash on you than you will need for each day, and we recommend that a money belt is used. Cultural AwarenessResponsible TravelWe're committed to ethical tourism in all our destinations. Our holidays are designed for you to discover the essence of the country you are visiting. Travelling in small groups not only gives you an up close and personal experience of your destination, but minimises your impact on the immediate environment. We feel that the most important starting point to protect the environment is to be out in it. For more details visit our website. The Ramblers Holidays Charitable TrustUnlike many tour operators we have our own trust through which RWH Travel’s profits are channelled back into a variety of outdoor, walking-related or environmental conservation projects in the UK. The focus of the Trust’s financial support is Britain’s leading walking charity, The Ramblers, and their role in promoting the benefits and importance of walking to the British public. In addition the Trust welcomes applications for small grants from local organisations in the UK who need support for walking-orientated activities. This includes the establishment of footpaths and bridleways, funding for rebuilding bridges and renovating huts, as well as bursary funding for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award for children who could not otherwise afford to do it. Please visit the ‘About Us’ section of our website and click on the Charitable Trust link for more details. Heart and SoleWe appreciate that we are in a fortunate position to be able to use our profits to help make a difference to people's lives. Heart & Sole is a venture managed by our office staff, whose aim is to reach the heart of the communities in the countries we visit. Through Heart & Sole, we hope to make more of a long term, direct impact to these communities, particularly in less developed countries where even a small amount goes a long way. See our website for more information and details of some of the projects we support. Staying In TouchMobile PhonesPlease do provide us with a mobile phone contact number. We will only use this to contact you with important information relating to your holiday arrangements. Do keep your mobile phones switched on and readily available when travelling to the airport or if delayed in transit so that we can contact you with any last minute information relating to your travel arrangements. As a matter of courtesy, please switch off your mobile phone during walks, or endeavour to minimise its use. Please also try to minimise the use of mobile devices during group meals. FeedbackWe welcome all comments about our holidays and value ideas for the future. If you have provided us with an email address we will invite you to complete an online questionnaire or to add feedback to our page on the independent review site 'Feefo'. Important InformationPlease note that this Holiday Information sheet may be periodically updated and reissued. In most cases the revisions will be minor and the overall nature of the holiday will remain unchanged. Should we make a major change to your holiday arrangements between you booking your holiday and your date of travel we will notify you to specifically draw your attention to any significant change. You may wish to review the latest version of this Holiday Information Sheet online prior to travel. Please note that any advertised offers, benefits or initiatives may be discontinued at any time. Contact UsRamblers Walking Holidays
Our office is open and our Sales & Reservations team are available to speak to you from:
Please quote your Booking Reference number and Tour Code whenever contacting us. We wish you an enjoyable holiday!
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 CloseOur holiday walking gradesModerate
Grade 4Full and half day walks at a moderate pace over hilly terrain. Most of these holidays have an element of sightseeing as well. Half day walks will probably involve about 3 hours of walking, with full day walks having around 5 hours. Expect ascents and descents of up to 600m. |
01707 331133
Coastal and South Downs walks with wildlife viewing opportunities, including sea birds and harbour seals.
