Please recommend me lovely places to live in or near the South Downs National Park

[longcoffeebreak]

I'm looking to relocate in 2023 to England and love the look of the South Downs. I love running, don't want to be more than about a half hour drive from these sea and would like to have trails near my house for dog walking and running.

Community is important as I'm from a small place and am used to seeing people I recognise when I'm out and about

I have two teenagers one of whom is autistic - so need a decent FE college not too far away. I'd also like to have access to cultural stuff without a massive trek.

Can anyone suggest anywhere that would fit the bill?

What’s your budget?

Try Alton, much cheaper than Winchester as just outside the national park. Countryside, cute villages in walking distance, excellent walks, terminus for train to London so always get a seat, good schools and FE college, easy reach of coast.

I'm not sure how appropriate Peter Symonds would be for a ASD student, you would have to see what they could offer him. Chichester College does more vocational courses as does South Downs College. Havant College does A levels and is good and less academic than PS.
You could look at Bishop Luffa in Chichester, as a bid church secondary, running from 11-18. North of chichester you could look at any of the villages or towns, just check the bus routes for your children to have some independence.

Property in Winchester is insanely expensive. Anywhere along the coast in Hampshire and West Sussex is easily accessible to the sea and South Downs. The Witterings are expensive and very busy in summer. Bosham is beautiful, Emsworth, Birdham, Felpham, Shoreham, Aldwick, Chichester, Lavant. Could go on, but there are lots of villages to look at.

Wow thanks everyone for your responses!
My budget would be 400 - 425 k and need at least a two bed with maybe a convertible reception room or preferably a three bed.

Definitely don't want a flat as have a dog.

Winchester does sound nice @Lushers but yes @overthethamesfromyou I'm not sure looking at Peter Symonds website they could deal with ASD. My oldest will be uni age so will be fine.

I had a look at Petworth seems like a lovely....town @TheDogsMother @Ozgirl75

Seaford @OldPodge and Lewes have been recommended by a Zen Buddhist friend is Seaford expensive I wonder - is nice and near the sea.

I am in Jersey at the moment so very tidy looking and naice.

Chichester has a trail on an old railway line that takes you from city centre up into the Downs around Goodwood , not wild but hilly and fab views .

You get a lot more for your money in Seaford. It's very good value.

I'm afraid your budget wouldn't stretch to Lewes. I absolutely love it but the housing stock in that price range is very small and often dark, maybe a small back yard and almost no parking. Sorry to contradict my own earlier comment.

I would also suggest taking a look at Alton which is on the edge of the South Downs National Park.
Plenty of properties in your price range and accommodation needs. Good transport links. Market town or surrounding villages - if you are happy to get in the car.
Sixth Form college has good reputation and provision for academic and practical courses.
Good transport links to London from Alton or drive to Basingstoke (10 miles) for trains to North/Midlands, South Coast and West Country.
Some cultural events in Alton - has an Orchestra, Am Dram/Opera, several choirs.The Anvil and Theatre in Basingstoke and Winchester (15 miles).
Only downside is a longer drive to the coast - maybe an hour.

I've moved away from the South Downs. The traffic is horrific, houses are being built on every square inch. I went back to visit family last weekend and was shocked! If you can afford the ££££ to buy in a town or village, rest assured it won't be a lovely haven for long. Yes there's Midhurst and Petworth and Chichester but they're not the rural idyll they once were.

Chichester, north of the A27 ideally for less traffic and development. Your budget might be a bit tight but masses of footpaths & trails for running, an active running club, theatre, independent cinema as well as a mainstream cinema with IMAX. College is in between Tesco & Waitrose with its own very cheap gym (£20 per month including classes).

Here’s a new build close to the start of the National park www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/93819778?utm_campaign=property-details&utm_content=new-homes&utm_medium=sharing&utm_source=copytoclipboard#/&channel=RES_NEW

Fiveways area(might be out of budget) and Patcham ( 2 bed bungalows around your budget) in Brighton - near the sea, straight onto downland runs, Lots of FE and sixth form colleges - SEND ones include Downs View in Patcham and St.John's College (both 19-25) nearthe Royal Alexandra Hospital. Sixth form colleges: Varndean and Bhasvic and Brighton Metropolitan FE. Short bus/bike ride, half hour walk to centre art galleries, theatre, shopping, restaurants etc.

Also look at nearby villages such as Ditchling and Hassocks (7 miles from Brighton). Hassocks is only one stop (sometimes two) into Brighton or an easy drive and is on the train line for London. It's called "the Gateway to the South Downs"great schools, community , quiet and safe. Ditchling is more chocolate box and closer to Brighton but no train station and a bit pricier. Two small new build estates recently finishing in Hassocks with 500 more houses on the golf course to come in the next year or so. but should be within your budget fro at least a 2 bed.

[quote LizziesTwin]Here’s a new build close to the start of the National park www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/93819778?utm_campaign=property-details&utm_content=new-homes&utm_medium=sharing&utm_source=copytoclipboard#/&channel=RES_NEW[/quote]
That'd be perfect.

@SapatSea I'll have a look at those thanks - Ditchling and Hassocks I've vaguely heard of before they look good on the OS map I have!!

@OldTinHat

I've moved away from the South Downs. The traffic is horrific, houses are being built on every square inch. I went back to visit family last weekend and was shocked! If you can afford the ££££ to buy in a town or village, rest assured it won't be a lovely haven for long. Yes there's Midhurst and Petworth and Chichester but they're not the rural idyll they once were.

Compared to Jersey I'd be surprised if it's crowded!! We have 110,000 people in 118 sq km!!

Fact checking !
Population Density
South east England 450 per km2.
Channel Islands 915 per km2 😬😬

I have a different take to OldTinHat. Whilst I agree the building 'around' the South Downs National Park has increased in recent years. Places like Chichester (outskirts), Haywards Heath, Billingshurst are being developed very rapidly. Within the boundaries of the National Park there very strict restrictions on new building and any developments are very much smaller. For example the total 10 year plan for Petworth is for 150 additional homes.

Totally agree with @oldtinhat unfortunately, we're also leaving the area. Anything that is green and not actually in the national park gets built on- bypasses for the horrific traffic aren't possible because they'd either have to go through the national park or through the sea! I'm talking about west of Brighton here through to Chichester..anywhere still rural and pleasant is ££££££, a shame as I grew up in Sussex in the countryside but well and truly priced out now!

Barton Peverill college has a good reputation. You can get transport there from many places. Personally I prefer Test Valley to the South Downs area.

The areas immediately outside the SDNP are being developed very heavily as the district councils are still required by government to fulfil their housing quotas but virtually no development is permitted within the NP. So it's far easier to find housing outside the boundaries but you risk any rural view disappearing in the next few years, heavier traffic, constant roadworks to upgrade utilities.

Yes, Lewes is fabulous but ££££!

Hurstpierpoint

@AliceAldridge

Barton Peverill college has a good reputation. You can get transport there from many places. Personally I prefer Test Valley to the South Downs area.

Never heard of test valley where is that??

@Angliski Hurstpierpoint is that near Hassocks and Ditchling? What make that a good place to be?

Hassocks would be a good location. It's not particularly lovely itself but it has a station and is only one or two stops to Brighton so much easier for access to a college.