Clayton to Ditchling Beacon via Lower Standean

 

  • 5 miles (or 6 with a detour to visit the Chattri Memorial)

  • Elevation 612ft / Hilly

  • Stiles: No

  • Dog-friendly: Yes

  • Pub: The Jack & Jill Inn, a 5-minute drive

Clayton Windmill and Pony Copyright Chris Shoebridge.jpg
 

The route

  1. Park at the Clayton Windmills in Mill Lane (BN6 9PG). Turn left out of the car park, joining the track and walk up the hill until you meet a signpost indicating the South Downs Way. Take the right fork, signposted to Devil’s Dyke.

  2. Pass through the farm, and at a cross-path, continue straight over, with the golf course on your right.

  3. Follow the track as it bends around the gold course and over farmland until you reach a three-way marker.

  4. Turn left, and follow the track as it zig-zags through gates.

  5. Continue straight over the next cross-path (unless you wish to visit the Chattri about half a mile away, which is signposted and well worth a visit, in which case take the right turn, and then retrace your steps.)

  6. Stay with the path through gates and past an old farm building. Just before Lower Standean Farm, the track splits. Take the left fork over the hillside and follow the track as it winds down into North Bottom.

  7. Follow the path through North Bottom. Immediately after a farm gate, ignore the obvious wide open path that bears left, and instead turn right and through a rusty gate, and then turn left, walking towards the Ditchling Road which you can see on the hillside.

  8. This footpath bears round the base of Heathy Brow, and up the hill. A dilapidated three-walk marker will reassure you that you’re on the right track. At this point, continue straight ahead.

  9. Stay with the path as it leads directly up to Ditchling Beacon on the South Downs Way. You’ll spot the trig point to your right.

  10. At the end of this path, turn left onto the South Downs Way, and stay with the Way for almost two miles, back towards the windmills and the car park.

Note: The Jack and Jill Inn at Clayton is one mile away from the car park. Return to the A273 and turn right.

On this walk, look out for:

  • Jack and Jill windmills

  • The site of the iron-age fort at Ditchling Beacon

In the area? Why not visit:

5-10 miles, Includes a pub, East Sussex, West SussexChristopher Shoebridge