Peaks
Shoulder Of Mutton Hill
248 m
Park geography
Structured data on regional context, recorded area, and physical terrain characteristics
Comprehensive Geographic Profile and Mapped Boundaries of South Downs National Park
Analyze the spatial extent and environmental makeup of South Downs National Park within South East England. This profile details the 1627 square kilometer land area, maximum elevation points, and identified forest or valley features, providing a precise geographic reference for the protected landscape.
England's newest national park protecting iconic chalk downland and ancient Weald woodlands
South Downs National Park
South Downs National Park is England's newest national park, designated on 31 March 2010 and officially coming into operation on 1 April 2011. The park stretches for 140 kilometres across southern England from St Catherine's Hill near Winchester in Hampshire to Beachy Head near Eastbourne in East Sussex, encompassing the famous chalk hills of the South Downs and a substantial portion of the western Weald. This landscape of rolling chalk escarpments, dry valleys, and densely wooded sandstone hills covers approximately 1,627 square kilometres and supports a population of around 108,000 people across three counties. The park protects one of Britain's most distinctive landscapes, characterized by its white chalk cliffs along the Sussex coast—including the iconic Seven Sisters and Beachy Head—and the smooth, rolling downland hills that form a dramatic north-facing escarpment. Beyond the chalk downland, the park incorporates the western Weald, a strongly contrasting landscape of heavily wooded sandstone and clay hills and vales. The South Downs Way, the only National Trail lying wholly within a single national park, traverses the entire length of the park along the chalk ridge. The designation of South Downs as a national park represents the culmination of nearly nine decades of advocacy, with early proposals dating back to the 1920s. The park is administered by the South Downs National Park Authority, which serves as both a conservation body and a planning authority for the area. In 2016, the park achieved International Dark Sky Reserve status, recognizing the quality of its nocturnal dark skies and efforts to control artificial light pollution.
- Location
- United Kingdom
- Park type
- National park
- Established
- 2010
- Area
- 1,627 km²
- Highest point
- 280 m
Location overview
Regional Placement and Coastal Status in South East England
Geographic Location of South Downs National Park in the United Kingdom
South Downs National Park is situated within South East England in the United Kingdom. Protected-area records confirm its status as a coastal park operating entirely within a single national territory.
- Countries
- United Kingdom
- Regions
- South East England
- Primary location
- South East England
- Geographic setting
- Coastal
Boundary and coordinates
Interactive boundary geometry and calculated 1627 square kilometre area metrics
South Downs National Park Boundary Map and Spatial Extent
Mapped park outlines provide clear spatial context for exploring territorial limits and regional geometry. Accompanying measurements detail total area spans, coordinate boundaries, and geographic centre points.
- Boundary area
- 1,652 km²
- Boundary perimeter
- 593.6 km
- Northernmost point
- 51.1934° N
- Southernmost point
- 50.7332° N
- Easternmost point
- 0.2722° E
- Westernmost point
- 1.3367° W
- Geographic centre
- 50.9512° N, 0.666° W
- North–south span
- 51.2 km
- East–west span
- 113 km
Elevation and terrain
Upland topography with recorded forests and valleys
South Downs National Park Terrain and Elevation Range
Recorded elevation metrics establish an upland terrain summary reaching two hundred eighty meters. Linked feature cards supply names and types for internal forests, streams, and valleys.
- Maximum elevation
- 280 m
- Highest point
- 280 m
Selected named natural features
Peaks
Blackdown
280 m
Peaks
Marley Heights
Peaks
Iron Down
Viewpoints
Blackdown western viewpoint
Viewpoints
Temple of the Winds
Environmental setting
Temperate upland terrain featuring mixed woodland, grassland, and chalk cliffs
South Downs National Park Environmental Classification and Physical Setting
Recorded landscape features and habitat types provide complementary perspectives on the physical terrain of South Downs National Park. Associated climate zones and partial forest cover connect individual categories to broader atlas destinations.
- Relief
- Upland
- Climate
- Temperate
- Water
- Minor water
- Forest cover
- Partial forest
Landscape features
Hills · Woodland · Grassland · Cliffs · Valleys
Habitat types
Temperate broadleaf forest · Grassland
Park atlas
Trace the varied protected landscapes and regional park geography surrounding South Downs National Park, from iconic chalk hills to ancient woodlands.
Browse National Parks and Protected Areas Near South Downs National Park, Southern England
Discover other national parks and protected areas near South Downs National Park, spanning adjacent landscapes from its iconic chalk downland to coastal cliffs and the distinct Wealden woodlands. Compare these park entities within their regional context, tracing distinct geological features, diverse ecosystems, and the broader conservation landscape of southern England.
Biosphere reserveSussex
About 0.3 km away#1 closest
East
Brighton and Lewes Downs Biosphere Reserve: Geography and Protected Coastal Landscapes
Chalk downlands and marine ecosystems in Sussex
The Brighton and Lewes Downs Biosphere Reserve anchors a diverse range of protected habitats from the South Downs ridges to the English Channel seafloor. This mapped record details the terrestrial chalk grasslands, coastal cliffs, and rare offshore reef systems that characterize this notable biosphere reserve in Sussex. It serves as a comprehensive geographic reference for understanding the boundary between land-based conservation and marine habitat management.
- Area
- 295.14 km²
- Established
- 2014
- Visitors
- 12M annual
- Relief
- Upland
Marine protected areaEast Sussex
About 1.2 km away#2 closest
Southeast
Beachy Head West Marine Protected Area: Coastal Geography and Underwater Chalk Landscapes
Mapped protected seabed and marine geography in East Sussex
Investigate the marine landscape of Beachy Head West, a protected zone defined by its submerged chalk reefs and gullies extending from the East Sussex cliffs into the English Channel. This record highlights the site's distinct underwater topography, seabed mosaic, and its role as a core component of the regional marine conservation network across southeast England.
- Area
- 24 km²
- Established
- 2013
- Relief
- Lowland
- Climate
- Temperate
Marine protected areaWest Sussex
About 12 km away#3 closest
South
Kingmere Marine Conservation Zone: Protected Marine Geography and Chalk Reef Landscapes
Submerged chalk cliff systems and rocky reefs in West Sussex
The Kingmere Marine Conservation Zone protects an unusual underwater landscape of chalk ridges and rocky outcrops within the English Channel. Stretching between Littlehampton and Worthing, this area serves as a vital spawning ground and exhibits some of the finest chalk reef features in European waters.
- Area
- 47 km²
- Established
- 2013
- Relief
- Lowland
- Climate
- Temperate
National parkEngland
16 km away#4 closest
West
New Forest National Park: Historic Protected Landscape and Regional Geography in England
Mapped heathland, ancient woodlands, and pastoral traditions.
Explore New Forest National Park, a nationally significant protected area in England renowned for its unique blend of ancient royal forest history, traditional pastoral practices, and biologically rich lowland habitats. This page provides an atlas-focused view of its mapped boundaries, distinctive terrain, and geographic context within England, highlighting its value as a living landscape shaped by centuries of common grazing rights and supporting rare wildlife.
- Area
- 566 km²
- Established
- 2005
- IUCN
- V
- Visitors
- 14.8M annual
Nature reserveSurrey
About 37 km away#5 closest
North
Wraysbury Reservoir: An Engineered Nature Reserve and Vital Wetland Habitat in Surrey
Examining infrastructure, ecology, and sonar testing geography.
Wraysbury Reservoir stands as a unique example of late-twentieth-century industrial landscape design, serving as both a primary London water resource and a protected Ramsar wetland. Its earthen embankments enclose a specialized environment where sonar research and ecological conservation coexist within the wider context of the Thames Valley. This record details the site's boundaries, its function as a wintering bird refuge, and its specialized role in UK marine testing.
- Area
- 2.05 km²
- Established
- 1970
- Relief
- Lowland
- Climate
- Temperate
Protected areaEngland
37 km away#6 closest
West
Dorset Heaths: Protected Lowland Landscapes and Regional Geography in Southern England
A comprehensive look at the Poole Basin heathland mosaic.
Spanning the Poole Basin, the Dorset Heaths offer a distinct geographic profile of acidic sands and diverse ecological mosaics. This protected area includes rare valley mires and coastal dunes, providing a clear window into the natural landscape history and ongoing conservation efforts within southern England's coastal regions.
- Area
- 616.62 km²
- Established
- 1998
- Relief
- Lowland
- Water
- Major water bodies
Natural monumentIsle of Wight
About 39 km away#7 closest
West
The Needles Natural Monument: Coastal Chalk Geography and Protected Marine Landscapes
Geological formations and chalk headland terrain on the Isle of Wight
The Needles represents a unique geological intersection of vertical chalk strata and maritime history at the edge of the Isle of Wight. This protected area encompasses dramatic sea stacks, clifftop heathland, and critical marine habitats, offering a window into the complex coastal landscape of the English Channel and the regional geology of southern England.
- Relief
- Upland
- Climate
- Temperate
- Access
- Easy access
- Scope
- Mixed
Protected areaDorset
54 km away#8 closest
West
Poole Harbour: Protected Area Geography and Coastal Map of Dorset
Coastal ria landscape and wetland habitat mapping
Poole Harbour stands as a prominent natural feature of the Dorset coast, defined by its shallow waters and varied estuarine terrain. This profile maps the protected landscape, including its salt marshes, seagrass meadows, and islands, offering deep geographic context for this significant southern England wetland.
- Area
- 36 km²
- Relief
- Lowland
- Climate
- Temperate
- Access
- Easy access
MoriAtlas Explorer
Continue Exploring South Downs National Park's Mapped Landscape and Regional Geography
Deepen your understanding of South Downs National Park by delving into its specific geographic features and protected landscape context. Our platform provides structured atlas data to explore how this park fits within South East England's regional geography and contrasts with other natural areas. Discover the mapped terrain and unique character of this significant protected territory.
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