The Meridian Line cuts through Sussex from Peacehaven to East Grinstead. It is the zero degrees longitude line that runs from the North Pole to the South Pole, and divides East from West. There is a Meridian Trail, that will take you all the way from Peacehaven to Yorkshire passing directly through the Old Royal Observatory building at Greenwich in South East London. But for our purposes, we’re just interested in Sussex and its relationship with the Meridian Line. The Sussex section of the trail is 52.5 km.
Peacehaven
Right on the cliff top and on the edge of the sea at Peacehaven, you’ll find the George V Memorial / Meridian Monument. On the side is a list of all the distances to various places around the world.
The monument was first installed in 1936 but has been moved since due to cliff erosion. It marks the start of The Meridian Trail and is, of course, where the Meridian Line leaves Sussex and heads out to sea.
From here, walk west along the cliff top, before turning right onto the first footpath. The trail takes you to Telscombe, and up to the South Downs Way. Here you’ll see a finger post that marks the Western and Eastern hemispheres, before you head on to Iford. You should spot Meridian way markers on route at White Way (just to the west of Rodmell) and in the wall at Northease.
Lewes
The Meridian Trail then leads you to Lewes via the Priory ruins and up to the Law Courts and High Street. From there, you continue up the High Street to St Anne’s church. Go through the churchyard and lookout for Meridian marker in the wall a little further on. You are crossing into the Western Hemisphere and you carry on walking past the prison and onto the Downs, Landport Bottom and the site of the Battle of Lewes.
East Grinstead
From Lewes, the Meridian Trail goes through Offham, Hamsey and Barcombe. Near Chailey is another marker erected in 1953 signing you on to Danehill and Ashdown Forest, Weird Wood Reservoir and then East Grinstead. You’ll find the East Grinstead markers in East Court. There is a commemorative plaque in the pavings in front of the building, not far from the Millennium Stone.
If you want to walk the Meridian Trail, there is a guide book by Graham and Hilda Heap. Or perhaps the next time you spot one of the way markers or signs, you’ll hop from one side of the hemisphere to the other. And then back.
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