Ditchling Beacon

Ditchling Beacon is among the finest viewpoints on the South Downs, rising to about 248 metres, which makes it one of the highest points in East Sussex. It lies on the South Downs Way a few miles north of Brighton and is looked after by the National Trust. From the top you look out across the patchwork fields of the Weald to the north, and on a clear day you can see the sea to the south. The hilltop carries the traces of an Iron Age hill fort, and the surrounding chalk grassland is a nature reserve, home to wild flowers, butterflies and skylarks in the warmer months. The Beacon is a classic place for a walk, a picnic or a sunset, and it is famous among cyclists for the steep climb up the road from Westmeston, which is the final test on the annual London to Brighton bike ride. The site is open to all, with no entry charge, and its quiet slopes feel a world away from the crowded seafront.

Getting here is simple if you have a car, as there is a small car park at the top, though spaces are limited and it fills quickly on fine weekends. Check the National Trust page for current parking arrangements. Without a car, you can walk or cycle from Brighton via the Downs, or look for bus services that run at certain times of year, but timetables change, so confirm them before you rely on a bus.

The route from Brighton on foot is a good half-day walk and gives a real sense of the countryside around the city.

Waymarked trails and the South Downs Way lead from the car park, allowing short loops of an hour or a longer circuit that combines the Beacon with nearby villages and hills. Ground can be steep, muddy and exposed, so wear proper footwear and carry water. Livestock often graze the slopes, so keep dogs on leads where signs require it and close gates behind you.

In spring and summer the chalk grassland blooms with orchids and other wild flowers, while late afternoon light in autumn and winter paints the hills in gold. Take a windproof jacket whatever the season, because the top is much windier than the city.

The Beacon is also recognised as a dark sky discovery site, which means it is one of the better places near Brighton to look at the stars on a clear night. If you plan to stay after sunset, bring a torch, warm clothes and a friend, and take care on the paths. The nearby village of Ditchling has a museum of art and craft, tearooms and pubs, which makes a pleasant addition if you want to turn the outing into a full day.

Compared with Devil's Dyke, which is more famous and has a pub and a larger car park, Ditchling Beacon is quieter and wilder, and the views are broader in some directions. Visit both if you have time, or choose the Beacon if you prefer solitude. Neither is suitable for wheelchairs away from the car park area, but the viewpoint itself can be enjoyed from the top without walking far. Allow two to three hours for a walk and the views.