DEVIL’S DYKE BY SIMON BAKER IRONS

As we approach midsummer what better than to take a walk at the National Trust site of Devil’s Dyke, which has some fantastic views across the Sussex countryside. However, this challenging walk is not for the faint-hearted, as it has some steep ascents and descents as it takes in the best of this ancient chalk downland. Devils Dyke is the longest, widest, and deepest dry chalk valley in the country, and legend has it that the Devil dug the valley to drown the parishioners of the Weald. However, geologists believe that it was formed in the last Ice Age.

• Starting at the car park go back along the road to the path that heads downhill into the valley, the banks on either side of the road are the remains of the ramparts of an Iron Age hillfort.

• Descending into the valley you can see the concrete footings of the Great Cableway, these originally supported Britain’s first cable car, which was built here in 1894. The ride took Victorian day-trippers across the 300m wide valley. Nearing the bottom of the valley, the path curves left, and you’ll see two humps in the ground, thought to be the Devil’s Graves. The Devil and his wife are said to be buried at the bottom of the dyke. Legend has it that if you run backwards seven times around these humps, whilst holding your breath, the Devil will appear.

• Descend further to the road, cross and go into Saddlescombe Farm. A hidden hamlet in the South Downs, the farm has thousands of years of history and was once home to the Knights Templar. The Saddlescombe Donkey Wheel here is worth a visit. For many centuries the wheel was turned by a donkey, raising drinking water from deep below the downs. The Wildflour Café in the courtyard also provides an opportunity to have a snack and drink before the steep climb back up.

• Retrace your steps out of the farm, back across the road and follow the public footpath as it ascends and curves to the right following the contours of the hill, the climb back passes through the woods to the north of the valley.

• As the woods open up to downland, you’ll have views across the villages of Poynings and Fulking. Take care on the narrow path up and across the escarpment. The wide gulley crossing this path used to be the site of the funicular railway, that took visitors to the village of Poynings, the remains of the Victorian funicular railway station can be found near the top.

• Back at the top you can watch the hang-gliders soaring above you, have a drink at the pub and maybe watch the summer sun set, at the stone lookout there is a map of the whole area to help you identify some of the distant landmarks.

For an easier short stroll, keep to the top of the hill and admire the view. Further details and more walks can be found on the NT website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk.

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