Ditchling Beacon easy access route

Soak up the views across the weald while taking in part of the South Downs Way

This Miles Without Stiles circular route set in a beautiful area of the South Downs National Park is suitable for off-road class 3 all-terrain mobility scooters.

Enjoy stunning 360 degree views from Ditchling Beacon, the highest point on the chalk in East Sussex, visit the historic Jack and Jill windmills or pay your respects at the peaceful Chattri war memorial. Following this trail also takes you along a section of the famous South Downs Way National Trail – a 100 mile route which runs the entire length of the South Downs National Park, from Winchester to Eastbourne.

Getting Here

Breeze up to the Downs:  The Brighton area has excellent bus services with double-decker Breeze buses serving the popular Devil’s Dyke daily (mid Jun-Aug) then a weekend & bank holiday service throughout the year for Devil’s Dyke, Stanmer Park and Ditchling Beacon. See brighton-hove.gov.uk/breezebuses for full details.

Parking: Jack & Jill windmills free car park with height barrier. Alternative car parking is available at Ditchling Beacon (charges apply).

Points of Interest

Jack and Jill Windmills

These picturesque windmills stand atop the scenic South Downs with spectacular views out across the Sussex Weald. Jack is privately owned but Jill is often open to visitors and when the wind is blowing she may even be in operation with a guide available to explain the mysteries of milling. Visit jillwindmill.org.uk for more information.

Ditchling Beacon

One of the highest points on the South Downs, Ditchling Beacon, once an Iron Age hillfort, has stunning pockets of rich chalk grassland. If visiting in July look for the musk orchid, only found in the south of England, limey-green in colour and honey-scented.

Between June and August you’ll also see the marsh fragrant orchid which is dark pink in colour and can be found on the northerly scarp slopes. Amongst these spectacular flowers keep an eye out for the green hairstreak butterfly. When not in flight they hold their wings closed showing a green underside with a faint white streak. Rival males can often be seen spiraling close to shrubs.

Directions

1. From the car park head back out of the main entrance and turn left following the main track up the hill.
2. Continue along the South Downs Way (SDW) to Ditchling Beacon. As you continue east along the SDW you’ll pass two dew ponds. The first on your left is fenced in and the second open for livestock to drink from. These round ponds are man-made ponds lined with clay and filled by rainwater to provide water for sheep and cattle.
3. At the crest of the hill you’ll see the trig point on your right. This is the highest point in East Sussex where you are rewarded with 360º views. Now retrace your route some 100 metres down the hill and take the path through a wooden gate on your left. The bank to your left is the remains of the ramparts of the Iron Age hillfort that stood on Ditchling Beacon 3000 years ago. Continue on this track south, over the rise and gently downhill.
4. Continue straight ahead at the path junction – here the track steepens a little and has some loose flints.
5. At the gate continue straight ahead, down the hill. This grass slope is the steepest section of the route.
6. Continue through the gate heading south. Here the route flattens out and may be muddy in winter.
7. Go through the gate on your right and across the vehicle tracks, then head left and gradually up the hill. Do not follow the vehicle tracks along the valley floor.
8. Drop down to the gate and turn right onto the main farm track.
9. At the top of the hill there is a cross road of paths, turn right at this point and follow the Sussex Border path north, where you’ll re-join the SDW at Keymer Post.
10. When you reach the SDW, turn left and retrace the start of your walk to the car park at Jack and Jill windmills.