Ditchling, Westmeston and Ditchling Beacon

Ditchling is an attractive village with several ancient buildings. Most impressive is the brick and timber-framed Wing's Place opposite the 13th-century flint and stone church. At least 450 years old, the house was granted to Anne of Cleves by Henry VIII and was once known as the Royal Palace. Ditchling was the long-time home of Dame Vera Lynn, until her death in 2020.

The climb up to Ditchling Beacon is made by way of the neighbouring village of Westmeston. St Martin's church is a pretty attraction to enjoy before walking south along Westmeston Bostall to the foot of the South Downs. At the end of the lane, taking a deep breath for the 100-metre climb up to Ditchling Beacon (reaching an impressive height of 831 feet / 249 metres) is rewarded with tremendous views. In 1588, fires were lit on the Beacon to warn of the approaching Spanish Armada.

The South Downs are the southern remains of a huge dome of chalk which once covered the Sussex Weald. For centuries, the chalk downland was used as rough pasture for sheep, creating a dense turf of fine grasses with orchids, cowslips, and harebells. While the tops of the downs have since been farmed and often ploughed, the slopes are still prolific for flowers and shrubs, and the edges of the path down through the nature reserve are usually abundant with flora as a nice finale on the walk back into Ditchling.

Acknowledgment: Text derived from the Out and Out Series; Discovering the Countryside on Foot. Pictures courtesy of Wikipedia.