Alone on the South Downs Way: A Tale of Two Journeys from Winchester to Eastbourne

by Holly Worton

In 2015, the author decided to embark on a 100-mile journey walking along one of England's National Trails. An avid walker, she thought she was up for the challenge of an eight-day hike, and happily set off to explore the South Downs. What followed was a beautiful journey through Nature that was both more satisfying and more difficult than she ever imagined.Undaunted, and after walking various other long-distance trails in the following years, she returned to the South Downs in 2019 for a second go. She was able to avoid all the mistakes she had made on her first journey, and the two experiences were like night and day.This book contains all the blisters, sweat, and tears from the first life-changing journey—and all the joy, presence, and magic of the second one.More than just a walking travelogue or memoirs of a walking holiday, this book contains the author's reflections on walking the South Downs Way, including lessons learned and practical information to help you plan your hiking adventure. It includes a suggested packing list, gear recommendations, and other useful tips, such as when to walk the trail, where to stay, and how much you'll need to budget.This book will not only get you inspired to walk the South Downs Way or another long-distance trail, but it will also encourage you to reconnect with yourself through the magic of Nature.

304 pages, Paperback

Published April 27, 2020

About the author

Holly Worton is an author, podcaster, and publishing strategist.

She writes nonfiction books about her adventures to inspire people to get outdoors and reconnect with Nature as a way to reconnect with themselves. Holly believes that nature connection is about much more than sit spots and meditating in Nature—it's also about getting outdoors to do the things you love. Her work is about personal growth through Nature, and how going literally into the woods and spending time in Nature can help us on our own journey of personal development.

Holly enjoys spending time outdoors, walking and running long-distance trails, and exploring Britain's sacred sites. Spending time in Nature is something that she finds to be deeply nourishing—it brings her a sense of expansive joy.

Her podcast and blog are about personal growth through outdoor adventures and travel. They're about our journey into the woods of ourselves: getting to know who we are, where we are, and where we're going in life so that we can create the life we want to live. They're about deepening your connection with yourself, taking inspired action, and really trusting yourself and your intuition.

She's originally from California and now lives in England, but has also lived in Spain, Costa Rica, Mexico, Chile, and Argentina. Holly is a member of the Druid order OBOD. To learn more, visit her website at www.hollyworton.com.

Reviews

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a most agreeable read: a leisurely delight if you are an armchair walker. If, on the other hand, you want to attempt The South Downs Way yourself, an absolute MUST. The author, along with the emotional and physical experience of walking, has forgotten nothing of the practical. Her day by day account details details people often leave out. Her first day of her first South Down walk is a day of irritation: her pack feels too heavy (she erroneously decides it is her i-pad). She has forgotten her rail card, other walkers and bicycles are an annoyance. She can’t wait to get into the quieter countryside: all that makes sense to me and no doubt to everyone. A much looked forward to start turns out to be iffy. Grumblings and irritations, lost paths, painful feet and reflections on flexibility all grist to a reader’s mill. Holly may have been having a hard time, walking in one of the hottest July weeks on record, the reader is not having a hard time at all. The South Downs are hardly known to me. Conveyed admirably is the feeling of walking over them. I love the ice cream stops, the small sandwiches - laugh - how best to ensure sufficient water. In better form and with more experience, the author is determined to learn from her 2015 walk.
It is September 2019 and walking weather, even the rain holds off. Join Holly for her second South Down Ways long distance walk. Altogether an enjoyable, even soothing book.