Saddlescombe Farm and Newtimber Hill
A hidden hamlet nestled in the downs
Saddlescombe Farm and Newtimber Hill
Overview
A hidden hamlet nestled in the downs
Newtimber Hill is Sussex countryside at its finest with ancient woodland, chalk grassland and long reaching views of the sea and across the Weald. In early autumn, the hill is covered in a purple blanket of devil's bit scabious. It is also a real hot spot for rare flora and fauna like the silver spotted skipper butterfly, burnt orchid and juniper. A 1,000 year old lime tree and bluebells galore hide in the woodland.
Saddlescombe is a hidden gem on the South Downs Way.
Near Devil's Dyke in West Sussex, the hamlet is only five miles from the seaside city of Brighton.
It has seen hundreds of years of occupation since it was first recorded in the Domesday Book and once home to the Kinghts Templar. The oldest part of the present day farmhouse dates from around 1630. Tucked amongst the outbuildings you will find an incrediblly well preserved example of a donkey wheel. These were used to raise water from a well 50m below the farm.
Today Saddlescombe is a working farm hamlet so some areas are closed to the public. You are still welcome to visit the donkey wheel and spacious information barn at any time of the year. Both are signposted from the South Downs national trail which runs through the farm.
- Telephone
- 01273857712
- saddlescombe@nationaltrust.org.uk
Saddlescombe Farm and Newtimber Hill
How to get here
- Address
- Saddlescombe Road, near Brighton, West Sussex, BN45 7DE
- By cycle
- The South Downs Way is used by walkers, cyclists and horse riders. The trail passes through Saddlescombe and Newtimber, with some steep, but rewarding climbs along the way. A section of National Cycle Network Route 20 runs along the border of Saddlescombe Farm and Newtimber Hill to Brighton
- On foot
- Saddlescombe Farm and Newtimber Hill lie on the South Downs Way, a 100-mile long National Trail that crosses the chalk escarpment and ridges of the South Downs from Winchester to Eastbourne
- By train
- Brighton train station and Hassocks train station, both 5 miles. A train ticket gets you a '2-for-1' offer on adult single and return tickets, or a 1/3 off the standard single adult price, on the service 77 bus to Devil's Dyke. Just show the bus driver your valid train ticket
- By road
- Signposted 2 miles north of A27 Brighton ring road and 1 mile south of A281
- Parking: No car parking on the farm. Car parks at Summerdown (BN45 7FH) and Devil's Dyke (BN1 8YJ) 1/4 of a mile and 1 1/2 miles away via the South Downs Way.
- SatNav:
- By bus
- Seven days a week in summer, the 77 bus service travels up to Devil's Dyke from the centre of Brighton, passing the pier and train station. From the bus stop it is a gentle walk (about twenty minutes) to Saddlescombe along the South Downs Way. Each paying adult can take two children free on the 77 bus. A bus leaflet called 'Breeze up to the Dyke' is available. For more info, check Brighton Council
Saddlescombe Farm and Newtimber Hill
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.
Saddlescombe Farm and Newtimber Hill
Opening times
Please note...
Saddlescombe Farm isn't open to the public as it is a working farm.
Thursday 19 May
- Newtimber Hill Dawn to dusk
Friday 20 May
- Newtimber Hill Dawn to dusk
Saturday 21 May
- Newtimber Hill Dawn to dusk
Sunday 22 May
- Newtimber Hill Dawn to dusk
Monday 23 May
- Newtimber Hill Dawn to dusk
Tuesday 24 May
- Newtimber Hill Dawn to dusk
Wednesday 25 May
- Newtimber Hill Dawn to dusk
Saddlescombe Farm and Newtimber Hill
Contact us
- Telephone
- 01273857712
- saddlescombe@nationaltrust.org.uk
- Address
- Saddlescombe Road, near Brighton, West Sussex, BN45 7DE