Sussex Walks in and around Ditchling

Each of these Sussex Walks in or around Ditchling Village takes as its starting point, Ditchling Village Green. They all include sections which may be quite muddy, especially in Autumn, Winter and Spring, so sturdy, waterproof boots are essential. From the car park behind the Village Hall on Lewes Road, walk left, past the old Bull pub, towards the mini-roundabout at the crossroads in the centre of the village. In front of you is our newly refurbished village delicatessen, Chestertons - great for light refreshements to eat in or take with you, or stop for one of Tina's fantastic coffees or hot chocolate with grated praline! If you know your way to the Village Green you can check out the first walk here.

Photo of St Margaret's Church in Ditchling

Turn straight up West Street, with St Margaret's Church on your right and the Baker's and tea shop, Dolly's Pantry on your left - great snacks and main meals - fantastic value for a huge plate of piping hot food (lovely for a meal out with granie and granddad).

Climb the Church steps and take the path round to the steps down onto the Green. (If you want to visit Ditchling museum before starting your walk, just continue along the church path, instead of going down the steps, and it will be on your left, just beyond the grave-yard.)

In the far right-hand corner of the green is the village pond, which has ducks and a resident heron that stands quite still at the other side of the water.

This area of the village was once a farm. Now it is the site of the biennial village fair. The old farm buildings just below the church were recently extended to include WCs. This is a great venue for summer parties and is available for rent via the village Post Office (as is Ditchling village hall).

During the summer months, the village green is often hired for wedding receptions. Large marquees are erected towards the end of the week in preparation for the Saturday wedding. St Margaret's Church has a history which goes back a thousand years or more and so it is a wonderful location for weddings.

Walk One from Ditchling village: one hour/one and half hours

Ditchling Walk Two

Longer walks from Ditchling village

Harvey's map of Ditchling Beacon

Would you like a three hour walk from Ditchling village?

Leave from the Village Green and walk back towards the crossroads in the middle of Ditchling. Turn right and then bear left into the Beacon Road.

You will pass two roads on your right, at the second - Long Park Corner, turn left into Nye Lane. Continue along this old 'green lane' until you come to a 'T' junction by a pond, (depending on the time of the year, you could check it out for frog spawn). Turn right.

Continue south towards the Downs; past Plumpton College vineyard on your left and keep walking until you come to Underhill Lane. Turn left and almost immediately right, along a track which leads up the side of the Downs.

This becomes quite steep and slippery in the rain, so take care with your footing. This track follows the contour of the Downs, just below the Beacon Road.

From Underhill Lane, it will take about 15-20 minutes to walk up to the top of the South Downs. Once you get there, enjoy the spectacular views; indulge in an ice-cream (the ice-cream van is usually parked there whatever the weather), and follow signs towards the high 'trig' point at Ditchling Beacon.

From here, you can retrace your steps back down towards the village. Alternatively, head east along the Downs and then take the track down towards Westmeston.

Once in Westmeston, you should head east along Underhill Lane and then retrace your steps down Nye Lane and back to the village.

Sussex Walks: more follow shortly ...

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