Sussex Border Path
Wivelsfield to Patcham
(10 Miles)
After crossing the open pasture of Ditchling Common, the route follows a series of, often, muddy field paths to Ditchling (Buses, Shops). It then climbs on to the Downs with fine views back across the Weald. An open downland track then takes the Border Path gently down to Patcham on the outskirts of Brighton.
Go Go straight over crossroads at the southern end of Slugwash Lane along Eastern Road. Curve to the right with the road and opposite a large oak tree turn left along side of Oak Tree Cottage on a roughly metalled track. Just past Woods Cottage enter West Wood. Here there is a choice of tracks but keep to right-hand one and head almost due south for a mile or so - always keeping fairly near a fence on right side of wood. This path can be very muddy in Winter. The track finally becomes a drive and reaches a road at GR 341178.
Here turn right. In 50 yards, where the road curves to the right at a junction, keep straight on, immediately to the left of a road signpost, on an enclosed path at first and, beyond a stile, along the right edge of a field. At the far corner, go over a stile and ahead on a track. In 50 yards, turn left over stile onto Ditchling Common and head south across the open common. Keep a look out for a railway bridge ahead and cross it. On the other side bear left across field under power lines to stile in far left corner. The path continues to the south for about three quarters of a mile.
First, in 50 yards cross two stiles, the path is now an old wide track, slightly sunken and very wet in winter, enclosed by mature trees, a so-called rew. 50 yards beyond a crossing path, the path enters a field. Cross six fields, the middle two between three high dilapidated deer fence gates, and re-enter the rew. In about 250 yards the path bears right and continues in the rew. Where path comes out of the rew with a large oak tree ahead, turn left and continue with hedge on right. The path passes through a chicken farm using two high gates. Cross farm track and continue on a few more yards to find a stile in the hedge on the right. Cross this and go diagonally half left across the field to a stile, and cross the next field, trending right to find a swing gate. Pass stables to another swing gate. Turn left into an enclosed path. This joins the track which leads out to Ditchling High Street.
Turn left along the street to crossroads in centre of village. Go ahead along South Street. In 250 yards where the road forks, take the twitten almost directly ahead. Keep to the right of a roundabout at end of estate road and take another twitten to the right which crosses a plank bridge into a field. Now turn half left to a gap in the hedge. Aim to the right hand corner of a wood and go along its right side. Continue in the same direction out to the road at GR 324138.
Turn right for about 150 yards, then take the track on the left which ascends the Downs to the summit and the South Downs Way about 200 yards east of 'Keymer Post'. Go westwards along S.D.W. for 250 yards and then turn left along a track leading southwards with a distant view of Brighton. In just over half a mile, go through a bridle gate, aiming for small clump of trees on the skyline. Pass to left of this clump and go ahead with a hedge on the right at first. Soon after passing the 'Chattri', an Indian War Memorial, on left, go through a bridle gate and continue along open downland with fence to the right. After passing through a further bridle gate and under power lines, keep on over open downland, descending gently. In about 400 yards join farm access track and turn right along a track along the side of the bypass. You can cross the bypass to go into Patcham.
(Revised May 2010)
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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| Waterhall Windmill, Patcham |
'Chattri' Indian War Memorial |