South Downs

Range Of Mountains, Range Of Hills in Sussex Chichester

England

South Downs

Locksash Lane Towards Locksash Farm. — Locksash Lane Credit: Robin Webster

The South Downs, located in the county of Sussex in southern England, is a range of hills spanning approximately 260 square miles. As part of the South Downs National Park, it is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, attracting visitors with its stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife, and rich cultural heritage.

The South Downs is characterized by its rolling chalk hills, which were formed over millions of years by the accumulation of marine organisms and subsequent geological processes. The highest point in the range is Blackdown, reaching an elevation of 280 meters (919 feet) above sea level. This elevated terrain provides breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, including the English Channel to the south.

The area is known for its chalk grasslands, which support a wide variety of plant and animal species. Rare orchids, butterflies, and birds can be found in abundance, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers. Additionally, the South Downs is home to numerous ancient woodlands, river valleys, and coastal cliffs, offering diverse habitats for wildlife to thrive.

The South Downs is also steeped in history, with evidence of human habitation dating back thousands of years. Prehistoric settlements, burial mounds, and ancient trackways can be discovered throughout the area. The iconic chalk figure of the Long Man of Wilmington, a 235-foot-tall figure carved into the hillside, is a notable landmark that dates back to the Iron Age.

With its natural beauty, historical significance, and extensive network of walking trails, the South Downs offers a wealth of opportunities for outdoor activities, including hiking, cycling, and horse riding. Visitors can explore charming villages, visit historic sites such as the medieval town of Lewes, or simply indulge in the tranquility and beauty of this remarkable landscape.

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South Downs Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 50.919511/-0.86700419 or Grid Reference SU7913. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Locksash Lane

Towards Locksash Farm.

Robin Webster

Locksash Lane

Towards West Marden.

Robin Webster

Bevis's Thumb

A Neolithic (3000 - 2400 BC) long barrow. A scheduled ancient monument.

Robin Webster

Bridleway 3008

Towards Harting Downs.

Robin Webster

Warning on Fernbeds Lane

Robin Webster

Wood, Apple Down

A late wood, appearing on maps 1960s-70s.

Robin Webster

Lane to Up Marden

Almost hidden, a sign talks about the church.

Robin Webster

Tracks near Dollyâs Hanger

Chris Thomas-Atkin

Downland near Grevitts Copse

The track on the right is a public footpath (number 3005_1).

Chris Thomas-Atkin

Heading to Inholmes Wood

On bridleway number 478 heading eastwards to Inholmes Wood. Underneath the tree ahead a leftover piece of a tree stump provided a suitable seat for a lunch break.

Chris Thomas-Atkin

Path Junction

On bridleway number 478 at the junction with footpath number 496 in Inholmes Wood.

Chris Thomas-Atkin

Wildham Barn

Wildham Barn viewed from the passing bridleway.

Chris Thomas-Atkin

Up Marden church on a drizzly evening

Up means up - because you're high on the South Downs here, at about 500 feet. And yet the site is well-sheltered, almost cosy - surrounded by old farm buildings and a huddle of trees. The interior is unrestored, the soul of simplicity. Ian Nairn - compiling the Sussex volume of Pevsner's 'The Buildings of England' - found himself at odds with his boss's detached, scholarly approach, and at Up Marden he came out in open revolt. Of the church interior he says: 'It must not be seen in antiquarian terms or even as an interesting specimen of an unrestored church, but as a visible loving testimony of the faith of successive generations'. He goes on to say that you don't have to be a believer to be touched by the place. Three of us, making our pilgrimage on a damp August evening, would say 'aye' to that. And yet - it saddens me to say this - Up Marden no longer feels as altogether remote as the place Nairn described half a century ago. How could it, after all? But earlier in the day we'd sat for a while in the low pews of Didling church, and there the sense of the vanished generations is inescapable. Link Link

Stefan Czapski

Up Marden church: a first glimpse

The church is approached through a clump of trees, along a little grassy path a few feet wide. This is the east end of the church as you first glimpse it.

Stefan Czapski

The lane to Up Marden

This is the approach by road from the north. The narrow roadway runs along a ridge, with the land falling away quite sharply to the east (left). The woodland is mainly beech.

Stefan Czapski

St Michael's Church, Up Marden

Ian Nairn's praise of St Michael's Church at Up Marden in the Buildings of England: Sussex is frequently repeated. The church is proud of it as it is framed in the church. Part of it is as follows which describes the setting: "Church and farm only, the remotest place on the Downs, 500 ft up on top of the ridge. Although the surroundings are demurely leafy and rural, it is surprisingly inaccessible. The church itself, approached through a farmyard, is quite invisible from the road." Then describing the church itself: "One of the loveliest interiors in England. Atmosphere is perhaps something which ought not to have much to do with The Buildings of England, but at Up Marden the atmosphere is as tangible as any moulding, the slow, loving, gentle accretion century by century...It must not be seen in antiquarian terms but as a visible loving testimony of the faith of successive generations.. It is incredibly moving whether one is Anglican or not, whether one is religious or not. Clear glass and white or cream plaster, brick floors, candelabra all askew.. It is little used, but it and the unmown churchyard are the very reverse of neglected or desecrated. Up Marden is all 13th century, without a window altered... Unaisled nave and chancel, plain later 13th century tower." The only thing that seems to have changed from this description is that the churchyard had been recently mown.

Marathon

St Michael's Church, Up Marden

Ian Nairn's praise of St Michael's Church at Up Marden in the Buildings of England: Sussex is frequently repeated. The church is proud of it as it is framed in the church. Part of it is as follows which describes the setting: "Church and farm only, the remotest place on the Downs, 500 ft up on top of the ridge. Although the surroundings are demurely leafy and rural, it is surprisingly inaccessible. The church itself, approached through a farmyard, is quite invisible from the road." Then describing the church itself: "One of the loveliest interiors in England. Atmosphere is perhaps something which ought not to have much to do with The Buildings of England, but at Up Marden the atmosphere is as tangible as any moulding, the slow, loving, gentle accretion century by century...It must not be seen in antiquarian terms but as a visible loving testimony of the faith of successive generations.. It is incredibly moving whether one is Anglican or not, whether one is religious or not. Clear glass and white or cream plaster, brick floors, candelabra all askew.. It is little used, but it and the unmown churchyard are the very reverse of neglected or desecrated. Up Marden is all 13th century, without a window altered.. Unaisled nave and chancel, plain later 13th century tower. The triangular chancel arch is not, as it looks, Saxon, but an emergency 16th century repair to the 13th century arch which can be seen above it. The pulpit is Victorian but fits in perfectly." This view looks from the nave towards the chancel. The pulpit and the two stages of the chancel arch are clearly visible.

Marathon

The interior of St Michael's Church, Up Marden

Ian Nairn's praise of St Michael's Church at Up Marden in the Buildings of England: Sussex is frequently repeated. The church is proud of it as it is framed in the church. Part of it is as follows which describes the setting: "Church and farm only, the remotest place on the Downs, 500 ft up on top of the ridge. Although the surroundings are demurely leafy and rural, it is surprisingly inaccessible. The church itself, approached through a farmyard, is quite invisible from the road." Then describing the church itself: "One of the loveliest interiors in England. Atmosphere is perhaps something which ought not to have much to do with The Buildings of England, but at Up Marden the atmosphere is as tangible as any moulding, the slow, loving, gentle accretion century by century...It must not be seen in antiquarian terms but as a visible loving testimony of the faith of successive generations.. It is incredibly moving whether one is Anglican or not, whether one is religious or not. Clear glass and white or cream plaster, brick floors, candelabra all askew.. It is little used, but it and the unmown churchyard are the very reverse of neglected or desecrated. Up Marden is all 13th century, without a window altered.. Unaisled nave and chancel, plain later 13th century tower. The triangular chancel arch is not, as it looks, Saxon, but an emergency 16th century repair to the 13th century arch which can be seen above it. The pulpit is Victorian but fits in perfectly." This view looks from the chancel towards the nave. The two stages of the chancel arch are clearly visible.

Marathon

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South Downs is located at Grid Ref: SU7913 (Lat: 50.919511, Lng: -0.86700419)

Administrative County: West Sussex

District: Chichester

Police Authority: Sussex