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The South Downs is one of the two areas of Chalk Downland in southern England . The North & South Downs run parallel to each other, and would once have formed part of the same dome-shaped chalk outcrop. (See Southern England Chalk Formation .) Erosion , however, has removed the chalk between the two ridges, forming an area called the Weald .

The South Downs extend about 70 miles (100 km) through East Sussex , West Sussex and part of Hampshire . The South Downs Way is a bridleway that follows the South Downs. Towns and villages include Eastbourne with its 164 metre high headland Beachy Head , Lewes , Brighton and Hove , Portsmouth , Shoreham-by-Sea , the towns of Washington , Arundel and Midhurst .

The most famous Cliff s of the South Downs, apart from Beachy Head , are the Seven Sisters , between Eastbourne and Seaford . The highest point on the South Downs is Butser Hill , just south of Petersfield, Hampshire . At 270  M (886  Ft ) high, it qualifies as one of England 's Marilyns .

Much of the South Downs have been designated Areas Of Outstanding Natural Beauty In England .

A National Park In The South Downs is proposed, and received support from the government in September 1999 . As Of 2004 , a Public Inquiry is being held to decide the boundaries of the proposed national park. The designation process is expected to take another two to three years.


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