There are a few Sussex landmarks that define Sussex and Devil’s Dyke is one of them.
What and where is Devil’s Dyke?
Devil’s Dyke is a 100-metre long valley. It has steep slopes on either side and is the longest and deepest dry valley in the UK. It is on the South Downs, just north of Brighton and south of Henfield in Sussex. It’s managed by the National Trust but open to the public and free to explore. It is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest and is close to Newtimber Hill another National Trust site.
Getting there
The top of the dyke at the pub is What3Words:hormones.headlines.dusters. From the A27 /A2038 interchange take Devil’s Dyke Road north across the Downs. Bear left where you see Devil’s Dyke signed and follow the road. If travelling south, take the A281 from Henfield and head towards the South Downs. At the roundabout where the A281 goes left to Pyecombe, take the road straight ahead and up the Downs. From there, it’s the second turning on the right. Follow the road until it signs you right to the top of the dyke.
Folklore and legend
Legend has it that the Devil took umbrage when many of the locals started converting to Christianity. So the Devil decided to dig a big trench with a view to letting the sea in and drowning everyone. But St Cuthbert, who hung out in nearby Steyning, got wind of the Devil’s plan. Some say St Cuthbert bet the Devil he couldn’t finish by sunrise and that if he did, he could have St Cuthbert’s soul but if didn’t, the Devil must leave Sussex forever.
As the Devil frantically dug to win the bet, the earth he threw up formed Cissbury, Chanctonbury, Firle and Mount Caburn. Others say St Cuthbert and the local women devised a plan to light a candle and fool the cockerel that it was morning. Either way, the Devil lost the wager and left. At the bottom of the valley, there are two humps, said to be the Devil and his wife’s graves.
History
During the Iron Age, perhaps unsurprisingly due to the far-reaching views, there was a hill fort here. You can still see parts of the ditch that surrounded it.
A Victorian playground
By 1895, Devil’s Dyke was privately owned by a Mr Hubbard who created a Victorian amusement park. The entrance had two pillars with elephant heads and these have been re-created today. There was a cable car that took visitors across the valley in a cage on a wire. There was also a bicycle track (bikes were pretty new back then) and something called a Switchback Railway which was a bit like a rollercoaster. If that wasn’t enough, there was also a funicular that you could ride down to the village of Poynings below and a railway service to Hove (this closed in 1938).
By 1918, the amusement park was converted into a munitions centre. It was earmarked as a bomb testing site but the war ended soon after.
Walking at Devil’s Dyke
There are dozens of walks in the surrounding area. However, if you do nothing else, you must walk the length of the dyke. Start at the top at the viewing platform and memorial bench by the car park. You might see the hang gliders taking off from there. Then walk down the valley bed, and return via one of the high paths on the slopes. Or do it the other way around. If you’re walking from the pub at the top, there is a bench about halfway down on the east slope.
You can also walk along the South Downs Way, either east or west. Alternatively, walk north to Poynings or Fulking, both of which have a pub.
Things to see and do at Devil’s Dyke
There are lots of interesting landmarks to look out for.
The trig point
Not far from the pub, you’ll see a trig point. On a clear day, you can see the coast, Shoreham and the Rampion Wind Farm from here.
Derelict building
Not far from the trig point, you’ll see the ruins of an old building. Some say it was built in WWII but others say it’s the ruins of the old railway station. Either way, it’s a great spot for some photos.
Play and picnic
Behind the pub is a wooded area with picnic tables, benches, a bug fort and logs. On the other side of the pub is the site of the old amusement park with a gated entrance!
The old cable car ruins
As you start to walk down the valley (on the right/east side), you’ll see the remains of the cable car. It’s another good photo opportunity / view point.
Edburton motte and bailey castle
If you walk west from the car park along the South Downs Way, see if you can find the site of a former motte and bailey castle at Edburton. It’s to the north of the South Downs Way. It’s a mound and you can walk around it.
Saddlescombe Farm
If you keep walking from the bottom end of the dyke, you come to Saddlescombe Farm and the WildFlour Café. Saddlescombe Farm is a National Trust Farm. It dates back hundreds of years and was first recorded in the Domesday Book. It was also once home to the Knights Templar and it has an important donkey wheel, used to raise water. Today, it’s a working farm, but you can visit the barn which has useful information boards and items of farm equipment.
The Devil’s graves
As you get close to bottom of the dyke, look out for the two rectangular mounds, side by side and said to be the graves of the Devil and his wife.
Food and drink at Devil’s Dyke
There are plenty of places to refuel. There is a large country pub at the top of the dyke, called the Devil’s Dyke. At Saddlescombe, you’ll find the Wildflour Café in an enclosed courtyard. Other pubs nearby include the Royal Oak at Poynings and The Shepherd & Dog at Fulking. There is often an ice cream van parked in the car park at the top of the dyke.
Parking at Devil’s Dyke
There is parking at Devil’s Dyke by the pub. There is also limited parking on the road up to the Dyke as well as at Saddlescombe.
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