GreenSpirit Spring Walking Retreat 2026
~ The South Downs Way ~
YHA South Downs, Itford Farm, Beddingham, Lewes, East Sussex, BN8 6JS
Tuesday 26th May from 5pm – Friday 29th May after lunch
The GreenSpirit Spring Walking Retreat will take place from 26th to 29th May 2026. We will be staying at South Downs Youth Hostel in East Sussex (www.yha.org.uk/hostel/yha-south-downs).
YHA South Downs is a uniquely refurbished Sussex farmhouse in an enviable location right on the South Downs Way. This hostel enjoys substantial grounds of its own and is surrounded by the hills of the South Downs National Park – perfect for anyone wanting to walk in the rolling Sussex countryside.
Guests can make full use of shared spaces in the hostel’s main building – Farmhouse – including a self-catering kitchen and cosy lounge. A café and dining room is available in the Interpretation Centre building, plus a meeting room on the first floor (which we will have for our sole use in the evenings).
YHA South Downs offers bedrooms of varying sizes (shared and private) as well as bell tents, camping pods and Landpods in the grounds. Bedrooms are split across three buildings, with some ground floor bedrooms available in the Granary and Long Barn including an accessible en-suite room with its own entrance. All other bedrooms are located on the first floors of the Granary and Farmhouse buildings.
There is ample parking at the hostel and Brighton is just a 25-minute train journey away, with Southease station just a few hundred yards from hostel’s doorstep.
We will gather for dinner on 26th May and will walk on the 27th & 28th of May and the morning of 29th May, departing for home after lunch together. In the evenings we will gather to do some creative activities and make our own entertainment. Children (under 18) are welcome but they will be the responsibility of a guardian who must also book for this event.
We plan to walk in one main group so please be prepared to walk about 6 miles per day (except for the shorter walk on morning of the last day). Please ensure you are up to walking with the group, if you do need to turn back, that will be at your own risk. The walking is generally easy with stunning views and no steep inclines. The ground can be muddy and uneven so it is strongly recommended that you have good footwear. We always walk with respect for this land of ours, stopping occasionally for some readings/poems/devotional activities.
Booking
The cost of this walking retreat is £25 plus accommodation and meals. The deadline for booking and full payment is 15th April 2026 and there are no refunds after this date. Some bursaries are available for this retreat; in the first instance, please make an enquiry to Piers (details below) saying why you need a bursary.
You will need to bring your own packed lunches (the hostel has a kitchen/fridge for guests’ use). Evening meals at the hostel will be booked through us from a choice given on the booking form.
The success of this event relies on the goodwill and support of all participants. You must tell us in advance if you have any medical or mobility issues so that we can see if this event is suitable for you and whether we can accept your booking. By booking this event, you acknowledge that you are coming at your own risk, you confirm that you are medically and emotionally able to participate in the event, that you accept responsibility for yourself, your personal care and your own well-being.
To book
1. Enquire
Please enquire with Piers first to check we have spaces (contact details below). Also, let him know if you have any health issues, mobility, support or care needs. If you do, further details will be requested before the booking can be accepted.
2. Book with the YHA
If there are spaces, then book the accommodation of your choice and breakfasts direct from the YHA. GreenSpirit cannot take responsibility for your YHA booking, even in the unlikely situation that the event is cancelled. As this is the half term break week it is recommended you book accommodation as soon as possible. You are welcome to stay elsewhere and join us for the walks if you prefer but you still need to book a place with GreenSpirit for the walks (see step 3). Here is the link to book your YHA accommodation from 26th – 29th May:
https://www.yha.org.uk/hostel/yha-south-downs
3. Book with GreenSpirit to secure your place
To pay GreenSpirit by cheque or online banking:
Click here for the booking form to post or email to Piers (details below).
If you wish to pay by online banking (BACS), please email Piers (details below) to ask for the information. If you can pay by online banking (BACS) or by cheque then GreenSpirit will not have to pay the credit/debit card fees.
To pay by credit or debit card:
Click here for a form for your food options from the YHA to send to Piers (details below).
To pay, click on the following link:
For booking enquiries, contact Piers Warren by email piers@pierswarren.co.uk
