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Site last updated 21/03/2012

Unusual Considerations

The South Downs is a popular venue for a variety of activities and sports, some of which present potential dangers and unforeseen hazards. This page is designed to highlight some of those activities which leaders and participants need to be aware off.


There are also a couple of natural hazards that those visiting the area need to take note off.

Free Flight Wetland Areas

There are several wetland areas surrounding the South Downs in the lower valleys, supervisors and teams are reminded to plan their routes accordingly and be prepared to change or adapt them if the prevailing weather conditions require them to do so.

Areas of the South Downs are popular with a variety of users, including those involved with free flight. Free flight refers to hang gliding, paragliding, parascending, powered paragliding and powered hang gliding. The more popular areas of the South Downs for these activities include Devil’s Dyke, Mount Caburn and Beachy Head. Whilst the activities of those involved in free flight rarely affect Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Teams on expeditions you may wish to seek advice on activities from the British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (BHPA) at www.bhpa.co.uk or a local club links for which can accessed through the BHPA website.

Chalk Quarries and Cliffs

The majority of South Downs consist of rolling chalk grasslands which over time have been used commercially by a number of industries. These have including quarrying and there are a number of quarries in the South Downs Area. As with any other quarry these need to be treated with care and respect as the top edges are often brittle and can fall away. The same is true of the numerous sea cliffs and that dominate the coastal landscape, although many are well fenced and protected care needs to be taken when operating in these environments. Chalk is a brittle rock and can easily crumble especially where it has been exposed to the prevailing weather for a number of years, most areas of concern are well marked on OS maps.