Listen to real peoples stories of how their lives on the South Downs have and continue to shape the landscape we see today and how their passions have helped us further our understanding of this remarkable place.
Below you'll find six audio programs that you can download and listen to at home or then upload to your mobile phone or MP3 player and take out with you on to the South Downs.
Chalk: Listen to Professor Rory Mortimore from the University of Brighton explain the importance of Chalk in the evolution of the South Downs and how chalk provides us with our drinking water and why early settlers choose the chalk to start farming and communities.
Click here to download the Chalk audio program (mp3 file). Please be aware that this is a large file (10.0MB)
Farming: Listen to how modern farming shapes the South Downs and how our early ancestors started to farm and clear the landscape. Learn the clues to finding past landscapes and how much farming has really changed.
Click here to download the Farming audio program. (mp3 file). Please be aware that this is a large file 8.9MB
Woodlands: With over 20% of the South Downs covered in woodland these places were extremely important as sources of building materials, fuel, food and shelter, not to mention the great variety of wildlife to be found in them. Listen to how the ancient craft of Charcoal production is still preserving some of our finest woodlands.
Click here to download the Woodlands audio program (mp3 file). Please be aware that this is a large file (8.5MB)
Flint: Learn what flint is and how is was formed. Listen to stories of ancient trade in flint tools and how the South Downs was world famous for fine quality flint tools and learn how flint used as a building material gives the South Downs it's individual character we love today.
Click here to download the Flint audio program (mp3 file). Please be aware that this is a large file (10.2MB)
Sheep: Listen to the life of farther and son shepherds on the South Downs and how their sheep and the generation of sheep before have shaped the rolling hills of the South Downs. Learn the vital role sheep play in conserving our rare habitats and the difficulties of making a living.
Click here to download the Sheep audio program (mp3 file). Please be aware that this is a large file (8.1MB).
Conflict: Learn how important the South Downs have been in the protection and training of troops during conflict and how the military have shaped parts of the South Downs.
Click here to download the Conflict audio program (mp3 file). Please be aware that this is a large file (11.1MB)
Coming Soon
Look out for the new flash player on this page soon. You will be able to play these programs above straight from the page with the bonus of accompanying images of the characters and their landscapes.
Also coming soon will be a series of accompanying suggested walks, so that you can download our experts onto you MP3 player and take them for a walk to see the landscapes and their work first hand.