Cissbury Ring circular

Explore the largest hill-fort in Sussex

Enjoy the views across the coast and the South Downs from the largest hill fort in Sussex.  Note: Uneven surfaces. Some moderate inclines.

Getting here

By bus: There are regular services to Findon, visit traveline.info/se
By rail: The nearest railway station is Worthing. Visit nationalrail.co.uk to plan your journey.

Points of Interest

Cissbury Ring

Cissbury Ring, just north of the coastal town of Worthing, is one of the jewels in the  crown of the South Downs National Park.

It’s the largest hill fort in Sussex and has a history dating back over 5,000 years. Set high up on a chalk promontory, its ditch and ramparts enclose roughly 65 acres. From the top on a clear day you can see for miles, with views to the chalk cliffs of the Seven Sisters beyond Brighton and as far as the Isle of Wight.

Centuries of continuous grazing have produced a wonderful habitat for butterflies and flowers. Rare plants such as the round headed rampion, known as the ‘Pride of Sussex’, thrive here. During spring and autumn you can see a wide variety of migratory birds as Cissbury is one of the first coastal landing points after their long flight across the channel. Visit the National Trust – Cissbury Ring for more details.

Butterflies

Cissbury Ring is one of the best butterfly sites in Sussex. Keep a look out for Adonis and chalkhill blues, dark-green fritillaries and marbled whites. You may also spot some dingy and grizzled skippers, small blues and possibly a brown hairstreak.

Directions

1. From the Findon Valley Bus stop at May Tree Avenue on the A24 between Findon and Worthing follow the sign post for Cissbury Ring car park. Continue through the car park, across the grass to the top left corner.
2. Head up the wooded bridleway into the field. Keep the fence line on your left and continue to the top left corner of the open area where the path enters the wooded area.
3. Here the path becomes blocked by tree fall further along so at the first wooden gate on the right exit the wooded path and follow the path from the field.
4. Continue into the open field following the grassy path up a gentle slope to the small car park on the ridge line. Pass through the wooden and metal gates. From the car park turn and approach the hill where you will see a vehicle width chalk track following the hill. If you find steep steps you have taken the wrong track.
5. Continue to follow the main track, turning right at the next junction. Follow the chalk track down and around the hill to a wooded area.
6. You’ll then come to an open area which forms the junction of a number of paths and a large water trough on the right. Turn right here and follow the wood line towards Cissbury ring.
7. Continue up the path passing through a metal gate to the ramparts of Cissbury Ring. Once you reach the ramparts turn left up the steps and continue clockwise round the ramparts.
8. At the next set of steps descend and head through the two sets of gates. Head right down the grassy track towards the gate and small car park you passed earlier.
9. From this point retrace the route back to the bus stop.