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A legendary beauty spot on the South Downs

Devil’s Dyke, just five miles north of Brighton, offers stunning panoramas, a record breaking valley, a curious history and England’s most colourful habitat.

At nearly a mile long, the Dyke valley is the longest, deepest and widest 'dry valley' in the UK. Legend has it that the Devil dug this chasm to drown the parishioners of the Weald. On the other hand, scientists believe it was formed naturally just over 10,000 years ago in the last ice age.

With a little exploring the Dyke's story starts to reveal itself: The ramparts or walls of the Iron Age hill fort can be seen when you walk around the hill and the remains of the curious Victorian funfair can be found just a few minutes from the car park. Venture into the valley and you will discover a living carpet of flowers and a myriad of colourful insects.

When John Constable described the panorama from Devil’s Dyke as 'the grandest view in the world', he wasn’t wrong, but there is so much more to discover here than just a beautiful view.

50 things to do before you're 11 ¾ at Devil's Dyke

50 Things To Do Before You're 11 And Three Quarters

Are you up for our 50 things to do before you're 11 ¾ challenge?

There are loads of things to tick off your list at Devil's Dyke. Just for a start you can find a geocache, climb a huge hill or hunt for fossils. But we reckon you can tick off at least 28 things here.

Our other places on the South Downs

Walking on the chalk cliffs near Birling Gap © Adrian Harrison

We care for some of the best and biggest bits of downland, woodland, coast and heath in the new South Downs National Park. Find out where these places are and how we care for them.