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I'm looking at doing the SDW over a few (probably 4) days later in the year with my better half.
I rode the section from Lewes to Eastbourne last year and I'm happy enough that she'd enjoy it if that's indicative of the rest if the route so long as I don't make the days too big (especially if I can fit done nice food and wine in on an evening)
We'll be heading east as we have family in Bexhill and Battle so will head there for a few days at the end.
Being a northerner I've no idea where on route ish is nice and where to avoid like the plague so, can the stw massive recommend me any places to look for b and b accommodation that are roughly on route? (a train station might be beneficial in case I over estimate the daily distance)
Cheers
Arundel?
It's about halfway. Has a train station. Pretty stunning looking little town perched on a hill with a cathedral and a castle, and a few chi-chi shops and restaurants.
Having said that, it is a bit of a detour off the SDW. If I was doing it in two days again I would stay at the more spartan but convenient Truleigh Hill youth hostel.
Not sure how up to date http://www.bikedowns.co.uk/ is these days but this is a great resource for the SDW.
Amberley (and nearby Arundel) is as near as damnit the half way point.
If you were going to do it over 3 days and 2 nights, I'd suggest stopping at Cocking on the 1st night and looking at staying around Midhurst. Alternatively Up Waltham/Duncton is a bit further east.
For the 2nd night, Lewes is an old historical town and just off the main route.
Recently spent a night at http://www.powdermillshotel.com/ near Battle Abbey. Not cheap but a lovely hotel if you want a bit of luxury at the end of the trip.
The rolling open grassland around Brighton, Lewes and Eastbourne isn't truly indicative of the rest of the SDW. More of the Western bit is on field side bridleways and some is under tree cover. Still pleasant to ride though as long as it isn't wet and muddy.
If you started from Winchester, stopping at Arundel and Brighton would be nice places to stop and would break the journey up nicely into three days. There will be plenty to see and do while you and your better half are off your bike. Also it's easy to get between SDW, Town and train station should you need to.
That first stint might be a bit too much though depending how fit you both are. There must be somewhere near South Harting and QECP where you could stop to break that stage up and ride it over 4 days.
Arundel and Lewes would be my vote for a 3 day trip. I live in Brighton, and it is too big to stop here - needs a weekend in its own right.
For a non keen/ fit cyclist three days may be a challenge, especially if you want later starts/ earlier finishes....
For East Dean (not far from Cocking) there's this
http://thestarandgarter.co.uk/
For Arundel, for a more basic camping style option there's the
Gumber Bothy (they have cooking facilities and can get food in but you need to bring a sleeping bag)
or these B&B's
http://www.thegeorgeanddragonhoughton.co.uk/new-page-1/
For Brighton many stop at Upper Beeding or Truleigh Hill YHA instead of Brighton
http://www.therisingsunupperbeeding.co.uk/
Cheers for the pointers, I'll take a look at some of those ta