Ditchling Beacon Circular Walk Map

A view facing east along the south downs taken from Ditchling beacon. The Beacon served as an Iron Age hill fort, with identifiable ramparts still discernible on its north and east sides. These ramparts, although challenging to traverse due to overgrown vegetation and fences, offer insights into the historical structure. The eastern ramparts enclose a fragment of abandoned chalk heath, gradually succumbing to scrub and overgrown grassland. Positioned strategically for defense, the Beacon commands a vantage point over adjacent sections of the South Downs ridge, particularly the lower terrain to the north, now occupied by the villages and towns of Mid Sussex in the Lower Weald. The fort's defensive features include a single bank and ditch, encompassing an area of around 5.5 hectares (13.6 acres), making it one of the larger camps in Sussex. Limited excavation has taken place at the fort, and the presence of dew ponds, paths, tracks, and historical ploughing activities diminish the likelihood of significant discoveries in the future.

Downland near Ditchling Beacon. Looking down an unnamed ridge that stands between Hogtrough and Home Bottoms with the western side of Dencher Bottom visible in the distance.

Kite flying at the beacon. The Beacon hosts a diverse array of plants, particularly during the summer months. The terrain supports flowers and herbs well-adapted to chalk grassland, including marjoram, thyme, and various orchids, with the common spotted orchid being notably prevalent. The area is a habitat for butterflies, with the Chalkhill Blue being a noteworthy species well-suited to uncultivated chalk downland. Additionally, the slopes attract butterflies such as the Green Hairstreak and Orange Tip. The rich biodiversity of flora and fauna enhances the natural beauty of the area.

View NE from Ditchling Beacon. Westmeston village lies in the centre

This section is known as Limekiln Scarp which is filled with the remains of former quarries. The footpath that links the South Downs Way with the car park at the crossroads below runs down in the foreground. The scar in the distance has been formed by the removal of vegetation. Wolstonbury Hill can be seen in the distance.

A view over Ditchling village from the Beacon. Taken from above the nature reserve looking north towards the village. The junction at the bottom of the hill is where Beacon Road crosses with Underhill Lane. A road traverses from Ditchling, ascending across the northern slope and descending into the northern suburbs of Brighton, offering car parks at both the summit and the northern base. This challenging route is frequently included in various charity, sporting, and other events linking London and Brighton. Notably, it was designated as a climb on the first day of racing in Britain during the 1994 Tour de France, receiving a climb category of 4 from the Tour organizers. Two decades later, in 2014, it formed part of the route for the seventh stage of the Tour of Britain from Camberley to Brighton.

In the centre of Ditchling village. Ditchling boasts a rich history that traces its origins to the Anglo-Saxon era, with the village first documented in 765 AD. By the 9th century, it was documented as part of the holdings of King Alfred the Great. When the Domesday Book was compiled in 1086, Ditchling was recognized as a former Royal Manor, under the ownership of William de Warenne. The Domesday Book recorded a substantial presence in Ditchling, with 196 households, marking it as one of the most significant manors in the county at the time.

Wings Place, West Street. In the subsequent century, ownership of lands in the village changed hands, with a particularly noteworthy event being the bequest of Ditchling Garden Manor to Anne of Cleves as part of her divorce settlement from King Henry VIII in 1541. The residence, presently named 'Wings Place,' stands as an iconic landmark in the village, acclaimed as one of the finest examples of a fully preserved Tudor house in the country.