If there’s one thing we’ll always champion at THE PIG-in the South Downs, it’s making the most of the great outdoors - and no one knows these hills, woodlands and trails better than our very own PIG People!
So, we asked them to share a few of their favourite spots and local walks to help you get properly stuck into the beautiful corner of Sussex we call home.
Local walks and wild escapes
One thing our team never tires of is exploring the great outdoors and the beautiful local landscapes. Many of our PIG people have lived and worked in the area for years, gathering a collection of favourite walks, camping spots and foraging patches nearby.
After a busy day, there’s nothing quite like heading out into the countryside. A walk through the woods or across the Downs is the perfect way to switch off, take in the fresh air and appreciate the natural beauty that surrounds us.
One walk we often recommend is a five-mile stretch of the South Downs Way: the 100-mile trail running from Winchester to Eastbourne. Start from the Cadence Clubhouse, a brilliant little cycle café in Cocking, and finish up at The Devil’s Jumps.
This cluster of Bronze Age burial mounds is thought to be around 3,000 to 4,000 years old. The views are incredible - it’s the peak among the valleys, so you can see right out to the sea on one side and up towards Midhurst on the other. Proper rolling countryside!
Foraged feasts and local legends
The woods around the Devil’s Jumps are another favourite spot of ours - though be warned, it’s not for the superstitious. There’s an old story that a Nazi pilot crashed there during the war, and some say it’s haunted (but we’ve not seen anything ourselves!).
What we do love is discovering the abundance of seasonal ingredients growing nearby. A simple risotto can be transformed with foraged finds like yarrow, red clover, sorrel leaves, ground elder (a parsley-like herb), and pignuts - small roots with a taste a bit like hazelnuts.
There’s also an old tradition of finding a pignut for someone you love in spring, making them an especially charming seasonal find to add into a dish!
Back in the Kitchen at THE PIG-in the South Downs, our chefs always recommend trying the risotto on the menu, as it changes with whatever’s best from the garden and local suppliers.
Stretch it further to Kingley Vale
If you fancy stretching your legs a bit further, head over to Kingley Vale - it's well worth the extra miles! It's another stunning spot, home to Iron Age barrows, ancient yew trees and centuries of history. The area also played a role in D-Day training, adding another fascinating layer to the landscape.
When it comes to a well-earned drink after a day’s walking, we'd point you towards The Three Horseshoes, where you can soak in some cracking views across much of the countryside you've just explored.
Back to our house
Whether you’re staying with us or just stopping by for a bite to eat, our team is always on hand with walking maps, local tips, and maybe even a foraging secret or two. Ask at reception, order a plate of whatever’s fresh from the garden that day, and start planning your next adventure.
