Devil's Dyke
A legendary beauty spot on the South Downs
Devil's Dyke
Overview
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.
- Telephone
- 01273857712
- southdownseast@nationaltrust.org.uk
Devil's Dyke
How to get here
- Address
- Devil's Dyke, Nr Brighton, West Sussex
- By cycle
- The South Downs Way is suitable for off-road cycling, involving some rough ground, ascent and descent. The disused railway line cycle path runs from Hangleton near Hove to Devil's Dyke, it offers about 4 miles of family-friendly cycling on a paved path up gentle slopes, part of NCN route 20, Brighton to Crawley. There are a variety of other bridleways and cycle paths north and south of the area
- On foot
- Devil's Dyke lies on the South Downs Way, a popular 100 mile long National Trail running from Winchester to Eastbourne. A variety of other footpaths lead to Devil's Dyke from all directions: Brighton 5 miles, local villages Fulking and Poynings both 1 mile
- By train
- Brighton train station 6 miles. A train ticket gets you a '2-for-1' offer on adult single and return tickets, or a 1/3 discount on a full adult single fare, on the 77 service bus to Devil's Dyke. Just show the bus driver your valid train ticket
- By road
- Devil's Dyke car park is 2 miles north of A27 Brighton ring road, and just off A281. Take the Hove junction from the A27 and head north (signposted to Devils Dyke). Follow the road and keep bearing left at any junctions until you reach the Dyke. (Unfortunately there is no post code for the car park).
- Parking: Pay & display parking at Devil's Dyke. £1.50 for 1 hour; £3 for up to 2 hours; £4 for up to 4 hours; £6 all day National Trust members and Blue Badge holders park free. National Trust members should scan their membership cards at the machine and collect the ticket to display in their car. Suitable for coaches. Free car parking [limited spaces] at Summer Down Road
- SatNav:
- By bus
- The 77 bus travels up to Devil's Dyke from the centre of Brighton, passing the pier and train station. The bus runs every day in summer, weekends and Bank Holidays in spring and autumn, Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays in winter (except Christmas Day). Each paying adult can take two children on this bus for free. A bus leaflet called 'Breeze up to the Dyke' is available. For more info, check Brighton & Hove Breeze Buses . A regular bus service 17 runs between Brighton and Poynings, from where it is a pleasant 25 minute uphill walk to Devil's Dyke. For enquiries and general journey planning, call 01273 292480
Devil's Dyke
Prices
Admission free
What is Gift Aid?
Most of our places run the Gift Aid on Entry scheme at their admission points.
Under this scheme, if you're not a member you have the choice of two entry tickets:
- Gift Aid Admission
- Standard Admission
If the place runs Gift Aid on Entry, we'll offer you a clear choice between the Gift Aid Admission prices and the Standard Admission prices at the admission point. It's entirely up to you which ticket you choose.
Gift Aid Admission includes a 10 per cent or more voluntary donation. Gift Aid Admissions let us reclaim tax on the whole amount paid - an extra 25 per cent - potentially a very significant boost to our places' funds.
An extra £1 paid under the scheme can be worth over £3 to the National Trust as shown below:
| Gift Aid | Standard | |
|---|---|---|
| Amount paid by visitor | £11.00 | £10.00 |
| Tax refund from Government* | £2.75 | £0.00 |
| Total received by the National Trust | £13.75 | £10.00 |
*Gift Aid Admissions let us reclaim tax on the whole amount paid - an extra 25 per cent - potentially a very significant boost to our places' funds.
Devil's Dyke
Opening times
Wednesday 17 August
- Devil's Dyke (countryside) Dawn to dusk
Thursday 18 August
- Devil's Dyke (countryside) Dawn to dusk
Friday 19 August
- Devil's Dyke (countryside) Dawn to dusk
Saturday 20 August
- Devil's Dyke (countryside) Dawn to dusk
Sunday 21 August
- Devil's Dyke (countryside) Dawn to dusk
Monday 22 August
- Devil's Dyke (countryside) Dawn to dusk
Tuesday 23 August
- Devil's Dyke (countryside) Dawn to dusk
Devil's Dyke
Contact us
- Telephone
- 01273857712
- southdownseast@nationaltrust.org.uk
- Address
- Devil's Dyke, Nr Brighton, West Sussex