Literature

sds ack

Writers inspired by the South Downs

Over the years, the South Downs has been the home and inspiration for a host of famous writers. Here we focus on seven of them who have lived in, and been inspired by, these beautiful hills. To find out how these writers are linked to areas in the South Downs, click on any of the colour coded squares on the map below.

You can also find out more about their lives and work by going to the featured writers section. There are many other authors who have lived in and written about the South Downs. Whet your appetite to find out more by reading our thirteen bite-sized introductions in our other writers section.

Arundel Castle - Mervyn Peake Beachy Head - Rudyard Kipling Bignor Roman Villa - Rosemary Sutcliff Charleston Farmhouse, near Firle - Virginia Woolf Chawton Cottage - Jane Austen Chemist's shop, Midhurst - H.G. Wells Cissbury Ring - Rosemary Sutcliff College Street Winchester - Jane Austen Horne Tower, Arundel Park - Mervyn Peake Jane’s grave, Winchester Cathedral - Jane Austen Midhurst Grammar School - H.G. Wells Monks House - Virginia Woolf Ringmer - Gilbert White Selborne Hanger - Gilbert White The Downs behind Rottingdean - Rudyard Kipling The Elms, Rottingdean - Rudyard Kipling The New Minster, Winchester - Rosemary Sutcliff The Old Windmill, Lewes- Virginia Woolf The Wakes, Selborne - Gilbert White Uppark - H.G. Wells View down the Arun Valley towards the castle - Mervyn Peake
  • H.G. Wells
  • Rudyard Kipling
  • Mervyn Peake
  • Gilbert White
  • Jane Austen
  • Virginia Woolf
  • Rosemary Sutcliff
South Downs Joint Committee
Literature top