Ditchling, Sussex travel guide and Ditchling information

Visit Ditchling

The village of Ditchling is found in East Sussex, to the north of Brighton and Lewes and towards the east of the South Downs National Park.

A traditional village of the region, Ditchling is centred around the high street, lined with red-brick shops and houses, and the Church of Saint Margaret (built 11th century, largely rebuilt in the 13th century). There is also a small chapel dating from 1740 in the village.

Ditchling is best known for being home, from 1921 to 1989, to the Guild of Saint Joseph and Saint Dominic. This artistic and creative community was founded by artist Eric Gill who lived in the village and combined elements of medieval art with the more recent arts and crafts movement. Ditchling museum features interesting exhibits relating to this movement.

Ditchling is overlooked by Ditchling Beacon, one of the highest points on the South Downs, that stands just south of the village and has attractive views in all directions. The hill is crossed by a steep road towards Brighton, about 1 mile long at a gradient of 10% (which is part of the London-Brighton cycle route). The South Downs Way long distance footpath also crosses Ditchling Beacon.

To the north of the village towards Burgess Hill, the Ditchling Common country park has a popular marked trail about a mile long that passes by a lake and through woodland and grassland, and is a designated 'site of special scientific interest' because of the wildlife, particularly birds, that live here.

You can find more local travel ideas in the South Downs guide and the