Sussex Border Path
Patcham to Mile Oak
(8 Miles)
A downland walk, visiting the delightful farm/hamlet at Saddlescombe and passing close to the Devil's Dyke where the path uses a mile or so of the South Downs Way.
Continue along the road parallel to the bypass which soon turns to the right and just before the RSPCA kennels take a path which crosses over the A23 and joins a track which goes steadily uphill. At a T-junction turn right along a clear track between fences for about a mile. A few yards after passing under a second set of power lines the main track curves away to the right. You, however, should keep almost ahead through a metal bridle gate and a second within 100 yards keeping ahead with a fence on the left. In about three quarters of a mile go through a metal gate and immediately turn left down a hollow way between hedges (this is the South Downs Way). This will take you through another gate, past some cottages on the right and then round to the right from the main farm buildings at Saddlescombe to join the road (GR 271115).
Cross the road, heading half left and climb the hill on a rough track passing a covered reservoir on your left. The area ahead is criss-crossed with tracks but you should aim to climb steadily with the Devil's Dyke/Saddlescombe road not far away on the left and with the Dyke itself on the right.
At the top, cross the road (GR 258107) continuing ahead through a bridle gate over downland (turn right here - if you wish - for 'Devil's Dyke Hotel' and refreshments). Fine views of the Weald soon open up on your right and you converge on a track and fence line coming in from the left. Go through a metal field gate where you leave the South Downs Way. Turn half left across open downland heading SW. In half a mile join another path coming in from the right and a fence line coming in from the left. Turn left through a gate and follow a clear track with a fence on the left. Just after some power lines, turn right on a wide track following the line of pylons; the path curves left with the power lines and drops down into the valley.
About 150 yards after passing through a gateway (with Mile Oak dew pond over the fence to the right) keep straight on through a bridle gate where the track divides. At the bottom go through another gate and immediately double sharply back to your right for about 50 yards, before turning back sharply left to join a track which you can see ahead skirting the shoulder of the hill. Soon you enter the National Trust area of Southwick Hill; continue up hill and under the second set of power lines bear away to the left on the lower terraced track parallel to the right of power lines.
Later pass back under the power lines and, in the far corner of the N.T. area, go through a bridle gate and continue with a hedge on the left. At a large field turn left on an enclosed path which runs round the edge of the field. At the end of the field it joins a wide track out to a road (Mile Oak Gardens). Cross over and follow a twitten to another road (Mile Oak Road GR 250066). From here the route is built up all the way to the sea. Go down the wider twitten opposite to the Old Shoreham Road where you can catch buses into Brighton.
(updated Oct 2009)
Map of Sussex.
Each letter represents a section of The Sussex Border Path. Click on a Letter for information on this section of the walk.
Walking The Sussex Border Path
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