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Devil's Dyke

Hill, Mountain in Sussex Mid Sussex

England

Devil's Dyke

View from the South Downs near Devil's Dyke The South Downs is one of the four areas of chalk downland in southern England. They extend from the eastern side of Hampshire through Sussex, culminating in the cliffs at Beachy Head. The South Downs is England's newest National Park, its designation taking effect on March 31, 2010. There are many Sites of Special Scientific Interest within the park. The area is relatively unpopulated, although along its southern periphery there is an almost uninterrupted ribbon of seaside towns. It is extremely popular with walkers, having one principal long distance footpath, the South Downs Way, and many interconnecting ones. There are three principal gaps in the upland through which rivers flow; and there are also many dry valleys along its length. The South Downs have a long history; there are archaeological remains from Neolithic times. Until the middle of the 20th century, sheep-rearing was the main occupation of those living on the Downs. At 886ft, Butser Hill is the highest point of the South Downs. Extract from Wikipedia <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Downs" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Downs">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
View from the South Downs near Devil's Dyke Credit: Mat Fascione

Devil's Dyke is a prominent geological feature located in the South Downs National Park near Brighton, Sussex, England. Often referred to as a hill or a valley, it is actually a V-shaped dry valley that stretches for about 3 miles across the landscape. With its deepest point reaching 328 feet, it offers breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside and the English Channel.

Formed by glacial activity during the last ice age, Devil's Dyke is characterized by steep chalk cliffs on either side of the valley. The name "Devil's Dyke" is believed to have originated from the legend that the devil dug the valley to allow the sea to flood the Weald, an area of land he despised. However, the geological explanation is far less mythical.

Today, Devil's Dyke is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. The area offers various walking and hiking trails, allowing visitors to explore the stunning natural beauty of the South Downs. It is also a renowned spot for paragliding, attracting thrill-seekers who take advantage of the strong winds and the wide open spaces.

The site is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including rare species such as the Adonis blue butterfly and the chalkhill blue butterfly. The surrounding grasslands are dotted with wildflowers, creating a vibrant and colorful landscape during the summer months.

Devil's Dyke also holds historical significance, with archaeological evidence suggesting human habitation in the area dating back thousands of years. The valley has been a site of interest for both researchers and visitors, providing valuable insights into the region's past.

Overall, Devil's Dyke in Sussex offers a blend of natural beauty, recreational opportunities, and historical intrigue, making it a must-visit destination for locals and tourists alike.

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Devil's Dyke Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 50.883388/-0.21393903 or Grid Reference TQ2510. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

View from the South Downs near Devil's Dyke The South Downs is one of the four areas of chalk downland in southern England. They extend from the eastern side of Hampshire through Sussex, culminating in the cliffs at Beachy Head. The South Downs is England's newest National Park, its designation taking effect on March 31, 2010. There are many Sites of Special Scientific Interest within the park. The area is relatively unpopulated, although along its southern periphery there is an almost uninterrupted ribbon of seaside towns. It is extremely popular with walkers, having one principal long distance footpath, the South Downs Way, and many interconnecting ones. There are three principal gaps in the upland through which rivers flow; and there are also many dry valleys along its length. The South Downs have a long history; there are archaeological remains from Neolithic times. Until the middle of the 20th century, sheep-rearing was the main occupation of those living on the Downs. At 886ft, Butser Hill is the highest point of the South Downs. Extract from Wikipedia <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Downs" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Downs">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
View from the South Downs near Devil's Dyke
The South Downs is one of the four areas of chalk downland in southern England. They extend from the eastern side of Hampshire through Sussex, culminating in the cliffs at Beachy Head. The South Downs is England's newest National Park, its designation taking effect on March 31, 2010. There are many Sites of Special Scientific Interest within the park. The area is relatively unpopulated, although along its southern periphery there is an almost uninterrupted ribbon of seaside towns. It is extremely popular with walkers, having one principal long distance footpath, the South Downs Way, and many interconnecting ones. There are three principal gaps in the upland through which rivers flow; and there are also many dry valleys along its length. The South Downs have a long history; there are archaeological remains from Neolithic times. Until the middle of the 20th century, sheep-rearing was the main occupation of those living on the Downs. At 886ft, Butser Hill is the highest point of the South Downs. Extract from Wikipedia LinkExternal link
The Royal Oak at Poynings There has been a Royal Oak on this site in Poynings since the 1880’s.
The Royal Oak at Poynings
There has been a Royal Oak on this site in Poynings since the 1880’s.
Devil's Dyke View Point Devil's Dyke is a V-shaped valley on the South Downs Way in southern England, near Brighton and Hove. It is part of the Southern England Chalk Formation. The 300-foot-deep valley was carved by tremendous amounts of water running off the Downs during the last Ice Age when large amounts of snow thawed and the frozen chalk prevented any further absorption; erosion was aided by the freeze-thaw cycle and the valley was deepened by the 'sludging' of the saturated chalk <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devil%27s_Dyke,_Sussex" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devil%27s_Dyke,_Sussex">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Devil's Dyke View Point
Devil's Dyke is a V-shaped valley on the South Downs Way in southern England, near Brighton and Hove. It is part of the Southern England Chalk Formation. The 300-foot-deep valley was carved by tremendous amounts of water running off the Downs during the last Ice Age when large amounts of snow thawed and the frozen chalk prevented any further absorption; erosion was aided by the freeze-thaw cycle and the valley was deepened by the 'sludging' of the saturated chalk LinkExternal link
Ferns near the bottom of Devil's Dyke
Ferns near the bottom of Devil's Dyke
Forge Garage - old filling-station paraphernalia
Forge Garage - old filling-station paraphernalia
Saddlescombe from North Hill Much of the land here is owned and managed by the National Trust.
Saddlescombe from North Hill
Much of the land here is owned and managed by the National Trust.
Devils Dyke from North Hill One of the most spectacular dry valleys in the South Downs.
Devils Dyke from North Hill
One of the most spectacular dry valleys in the South Downs.
Fulking - from the South Downs This is a cross-grid shot. The camera was in the square to the south.
Fulking - from the South Downs
This is a cross-grid shot. The camera was in the square to the south.
Tree and reflection A collection of photographs taken around midday by Geographers from all over Britain and Ireland. See all the images on the map: <a title="https://www.geograph.org.uk/stuff/xmas.php?year=2022" href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/stuff/xmas.php?year=2022">Link</a>
Tree and reflection
A collection of photographs taken around midday by Geographers from all over Britain and Ireland. See all the images on the map: Link
Inscription by the spring
Inscription by the spring
Devil's Dyke The day after Boxing Day 2022, one which began wet and gloomily before brightening before clouding over and getting quite chilly.
Devil's Dyke
The day after Boxing Day 2022, one which began wet and gloomily before brightening before clouding over and getting quite chilly.
View west over Poynings from North Hill Chanctonbury Ring can be seen in the distance.
View west over Poynings from North Hill
Chanctonbury Ring can be seen in the distance.
Viewpoint at Devil's Dyke Devil's Dyke is a V-shaped valley on the South Downs Way in southern England, near Brighton and Hove. It is part of the Southern England Chalk Formation. The 300-foot-deep valley was carved by tremendous amounts of water running off the Downs during the last Ice Age when large amounts of snow thawed and the frozen chalk prevented any further absorption; erosion was aided by the freeze-thaw cycle and the valley was deepened by the 'sludging' of the saturated chalk <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devil%27s_Dyke,_Sussex" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devil%27s_Dyke,_Sussex">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Viewpoint at Devil's Dyke
Devil's Dyke is a V-shaped valley on the South Downs Way in southern England, near Brighton and Hove. It is part of the Southern England Chalk Formation. The 300-foot-deep valley was carved by tremendous amounts of water running off the Downs during the last Ice Age when large amounts of snow thawed and the frozen chalk prevented any further absorption; erosion was aided by the freeze-thaw cycle and the valley was deepened by the 'sludging' of the saturated chalk LinkExternal link
Devil's Dyke Country Pub & Dining
Devil's Dyke Country Pub & Dining
Trig point at Devil's Dyke Devil's Dyke is a V-shaped valley on the South Downs Way in southern England, near Brighton and Hove. It is part of the Southern England Chalk Formation. The 300-foot-deep valley was carved by tremendous amounts of water running off the Downs during the last Ice Age when large amounts of snow thawed and the frozen chalk prevented any further absorption; erosion was aided by the freeze-thaw cycle and the valley was deepened by the 'sludging' of the saturated chalk <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devil%27s_Dyke,_Sussex" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devil%27s_Dyke,_Sussex">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Trig point at Devil's Dyke
Devil's Dyke is a V-shaped valley on the South Downs Way in southern England, near Brighton and Hove. It is part of the Southern England Chalk Formation. The 300-foot-deep valley was carved by tremendous amounts of water running off the Downs during the last Ice Age when large amounts of snow thawed and the frozen chalk prevented any further absorption; erosion was aided by the freeze-thaw cycle and the valley was deepened by the 'sludging' of the saturated chalk LinkExternal link
View through a window A derelict building at Devil's Dyke, with a view through the window towards Fulking.
View through a window
A derelict building at Devil's Dyke, with a view through the window towards Fulking.
View from Devil's Dyke across the Low Weald
View from Devil's Dyke across the Low Weald
The South Downs near Fulking The South Downs is one of the four areas of chalk downland in southern England. They extend from the eastern side of Hampshire through Sussex, culminating in the cliffs at Beachy Head. The South Downs is England's newest National Park, its designation taking effect on March 31, 2010. There are many Sites of Special Scientific Interest within the park. The area is relatively unpopulated, although along its southern periphery there is an almost uninterrupted ribbon of seaside towns. It is extremely popular with walkers, having one principal long distance footpath, the South Downs Way, and many interconnecting ones. There are three principal gaps in the upland through which rivers flow; and there are also many dry valleys along its length. The South Downs have a long history; there are archaeological remains from Neolithic times. Until the middle of the 20th century, sheep-rearing was the main occupation of those living on the Downs. At 886ft, Butser Hill is the highest point of the South Downs. Extract from Wikipedia <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Downs" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Downs">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
The South Downs near Fulking
The South Downs is one of the four areas of chalk downland in southern England. They extend from the eastern side of Hampshire through Sussex, culminating in the cliffs at Beachy Head. The South Downs is England's newest National Park, its designation taking effect on March 31, 2010. There are many Sites of Special Scientific Interest within the park. The area is relatively unpopulated, although along its southern periphery there is an almost uninterrupted ribbon of seaside towns. It is extremely popular with walkers, having one principal long distance footpath, the South Downs Way, and many interconnecting ones. There are three principal gaps in the upland through which rivers flow; and there are also many dry valleys along its length. The South Downs have a long history; there are archaeological remains from Neolithic times. Until the middle of the 20th century, sheep-rearing was the main occupation of those living on the Downs. At 886ft, Butser Hill is the highest point of the South Downs. Extract from Wikipedia LinkExternal link
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Devil's Dyke is located at Grid Ref: TQ2510 (Lat: 50.883388, Lng: -0.21393903)

Administrative County: West Sussex

District: Mid Sussex

Police Authority: Sussex

What 3 Words

///typified.infringe.vouch. Near Portslade, East Sussex

Nearby Locations

Fulking Hill Devil's Dyke Adder Bottom

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 50.883388,-0.21393903
Devil's Dyke
Natural: valley
Note: Natural V shaped valley with lots of myths and history
Tourism: attraction
Wikidata: Q5267123
Wikipedia: en:Devil's Dyke, Sussex
Lat/Long: 50.8839655/-0.2113763
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Created By: Potlatch 0.10f
Natural: peak
Source: NPE
Lat/Long: 50.8851468/-0.2117953
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Bus Stop
Devils Dyke
Bench: yes
Bin: yes
Naptan AtcoCode: 4400MS0251
Naptan Bearing: S
Naptan CommonName: Devils Dyke
Naptan Indicator: o/s
Naptan Landmark: Devils Dyke
Naptan NaptanCode: wsxdmgjd
Naptan Street: Devils Dyke Road
Naptan Verified: yes
Public Transport: platform
Shelter: no
Source: naptan_import
Lat/Long: 50.8842998/-0.2128178
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Summer Down
Natural: grassland
Lat/Long: 50.8826575/-0.2115271
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Barrier: kissing_gate
Bicycle: no
Foot: yes
Horse: no
Pushchair: no
Wheelchair: no
Lat/Long: 50.8848229/-0.2133927
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Seat
Lat/Long: 50.8832662/-0.2117546
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Crossing
Crossing: uncontrolled
Crossing Ref: zebra
Traffic Calming: chicane
Lat/Long: 50.8846571/-0.2127024
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Devils Dyke
Ele: 64
Man Made: survey_point
Source: gps
Lat/Long: 50.8833783/-0.2139022
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Barrier: kissing_gate
Lat/Long: 50.8842001/-0.212595
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Barrier: stile
Foot: yes
Lat/Long: 50.8834621/-0.212567
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Cafe
Dyke Golf Club Canteen
Addr Housename: Dyke Golf Club
Addr Postcode: BN1 8YJ
Addr Street: Devil's Dyke Road
Fhrs Id: 509150
Lat/Long: 50.8811803/-0.207853
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Noexit: yes
Lat/Long: 50.8815816/-0.208239
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Vending Machine
Operator: National Trust
Vending: parking_tickets
Lat/Long: 50.885234/-0.2125534
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Information: guidepost
Tourism: information
Lat/Long: 50.8822574/-0.2122846
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Information: guidepost
Tourism: information
Lat/Long: 50.8835508/-0.2124794
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Information: guidepost
Tourism: information
Lat/Long: 50.8822534/-0.2121622
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Vending Machine
Operator: National Trust
Vending: parking_tickets
Lat/Long: 50.8854142/-0.2121589
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Man Made: storage_tank
Operator: Devil's Dyke Golf Course
Lat/Long: 50.8817823/-0.2086784
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Communication Radio: yes
Height: 8
Man Made: tower
Material: steel
Tower Construction: freestanding
Tower Type: communication
Width: 0.4
Lat/Long: 50.8850657/-0.2123706
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Communication Radio: yes
Height: 18
Man Made: tower
Material: steel
Operator: Norman Brett
Tower Construction: lattice
Tower Type: communication
Lat/Long: 50.8815933/-0.2093357
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Frequency: 50
Location: outdoor
Phases: 3
Power: transformer
Transformer: distribution
Lat/Long: 50.8816986/-0.2088378
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Bench
Backrest: no
Seats: 2
Lat/Long: 50.8833958/-0.2117699
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Height: 1.4
Information: board
Tourism: information
Lat/Long: 50.8856954/-0.2121708
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Height: 1.4
Information: board
Tourism: information
Lat/Long: 50.8857036/-0.2121453
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Height: 1.4
Information: board
Tourism: information
Lat/Long: 50.8857153/-0.2121735
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Bench
Backrest: yes
Material: concrete
Seats: 6
Lat/Long: 50.8856719/-0.2121329
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Bench
Backrest: yes
Material: stone
Seats: 5
Lat/Long: 50.8856755/-0.2121621
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Access: yes
Historic: ruins
Historic Civilization: modern
Lat/Long: 50.8829481/-0.2088221
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
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