Devil’s Dyke circular

Stunning views across the Weald

Some steep declines and moderate inclines. Loose surface, steep and
uneven in some places.

Getting here

By bus: Devil’s Dyke is served by the Breeze Buses. Visit brighton-hove.gov.uk/breezebuses for full details.
By rail: The nearest railway station is Brighton. Visit nationalrail.co.uk to plan your journey

Devil’s Dyke

At nearly one mile long, the Dyke valley is the longest, deepest and widest ‘dry valley’  in the UK. Legend has it that the Devil dug this chasm to drown the parishioners of  the Weald.

Scientists however, believe it was formed naturally just over 10,000 years ago in the last ice age. The ramparts or walls of the Iron Age hill fort can be seen when you walk  around the hill and the remains of the curious Victorian funfair can be found just a  few minutes from the car park.

John Constable described the panorama from Devil’s Dyke as ‘the grandest view in the world’. The area is now managed and cared for by the National Trust.

Saddlescombe Farm

Acquired by the National Trust in 1995, Saddlescombe Farm is a hidden gem on the South Downs Way. Documented in the Domesday Book, this unique example of a
Downland farm recounts what life was really like throughout the last 1,000 years.

Intriguingly, it was even once home to the Knights Templar. One of Saddlescombe’s
most famous buildings is open all year and houses the donkey wheel. This huge wooden wheel, powered by a donkey or small horse, drew water from the 50-metre  deep well and was the only reliable source of water for residents for centuries.

Directions

1. From the bus stop head up past the Devil’s Dyke pub (on your right). Follow the signposts through the car park passing through a metal barrier. Continue straight along the marked footpath.
2. Continue straight at the crossroads of paths, over the stile and down the hill,  turning left onto the bridleway.
3. Continue along the bridleway through the wood. Caution steep track – slippery when wet.
4. At the bottom of the steep track turn right past the gardens.
5. At the road turn right and head into Poynings.
6. Continue to the Royal Oak pub, then at the period garage turn right, keeping the  small stream on your left and head through the gate.
7. At the next gate turn left and cross the waterway. Continue along the path into the wood keeping the water on your right.
8. Continue to the gate which leads to an open area and into the valley bottom of Devil’s Dyke. For the best views follow the bridleway which leads up to the left
   side of Devil’s Dyke.
9. At the top of the slope the bridleway joins the South Downs Way. Turn right here and continue to the road.
10. Turn right to follow the path alongside the road to return to the bus stop.