DAYSOUT
Where best to stretch your legs in Sussex cont .
Ditchling Beacon South Downs Way
Bateman ’ s
The former home of Rudyard Kipling , Bateman ’ s is a 17th-century , Jacobean house that sits surrounded by the wonderful wooded landscape of the East Sussex Weald , an area of undulating fields and open heaths that inspired the likes of Henry James and Siegfried Sassoon too . You can wander round the house itself - with its mullion windows and dramatic oak beams , it was described by Kipling himself as ‘ untouched and unfaked ’ and remains largely how he left it , decorated with oriental rugs and exotic artefacts that point to his strong admiration for the East – and the grounds are just as fascinating .
It ’ s more than likely the beautiful garden at Bateman ’ s inspired Kipling ’ s famous poem , The Glory of the Garden , penned by him in 1923 . An enchanting place to explore , the grounds are home to all manner of delicately crafted features including a tunnel made of pear trees , a large lily pond , a wild meadow with a river running through it , and of course , a formal rose garden - Kipling ’ s love of roses is well known and endures with a sweet-smelling rose walk , which he designed himself after he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1907 .
Eridge Rocks
With sections that look like they ’ ve been plucked straight out of a scene from The Lord of the Rings , Eridge Rocks comes as a surprise to many as it ’ s tucked away in the woodlands of the High Weald of East Sussex , but is an awesome sandstone rock outcrop with giant boulders that extend above 10-metres high . A designated Site of Special Scientific Interest , all sorts of unique plant life has called the rocks home for what ’ s thought to be millions of years and the stony projection stretches back around 600 metres creating an otherworldly landscape of deep fissures and giant bastions all topped with gnarled beech and holly , and making for an extraordinary , almost mythical atmosphere .
Part of the Eridge Reserve , an area bought by the Sussex Wildlife Trust in 1997 , the rocks were almost entirely engulfed by non-native rhododendron when the trust first chanced upon them , a threatening species that was causing damage to other , very rare lower plants . With the rhododendron now largely removed however , the mosses , liverworts and ferns below have taken on a new lease of life , and , along with the surrounding woods of chestnut coppice and oak , have created a really magical walking spot with bluebells that carpet the ground and ponds that thrive with life .
Ditchling Beacon
Another Sussex Wildlife Trust-protected paradise , Ditchling Beacon is a nature reserve and prehistoric hillfort site of chalk grassland and scrub where you can take advantage of what ’ s probably the best panoramic view of the Weald in Sussex . With its tallest point reaching around 250 metres , your efforts walking up what can be quite a strenuous route with some steep climbs and descents will be rewarded as you reach one of the highest points across the whole of the South Downs Way .
Walking towards Devil ’ s Dyke , you ’ ll chance upon an ancient woodland estimated to be 10,000 years old and thick with ash and beech trees ; ancient burial grounds disguised as undulating hills ; and the Clayton windmills , a set of two windmills commonly known as Jack and Jill from which you can take in views of the northern edge of Brighton . Add to this a plethora of beautiful butterflies and a host of birds that sing from their lofty outposts , and you have a moderate workout and a nature trail all rolled into one .
South Downs Way
No guide to Sussex ’ s best walking would be so without reference to the South Downs Way – a mammoth 100 miles of some of the country ’ s ( let alone the county ’ s ) most glorious countryside that takes in wild coast , surprising wildlife and a whole lot of history too . 100 miles isn ’ t exactly what we ’ d classify as an afternoon ’ s amble , however , so it ’ s best we break it down .
With its views over the Weald and out towards the sea , Devil ’ s Dyke – the largest dry valley in the UK no less - is a really popular spot for families wanting to embrace a Sunday stroll . There are all sorts of DIY routes dotted across its criss-crossed network of pathways and bridleways , so whether you ’ re on two legs , or two wheels , you can make your adventure as leisurely or as challenging as you please . It ’ s a great idea to take a picnic and make a day of it too as Devil ’ s Dyke is one of Europe ’ s foremost sites for paragliding , hang gliding and gliding , not to mention kite flying , so you can happily sit back with a sandwich and watch as the action unfolds .
Alternatively , head over to www . nationaltrust . org . uk / days-out / regionlondonsoutheast / south-downs for some brilliant suggestions on how best to break down all of the South Downs ’ fantastic walking . Our favourites ? Probably the histories and mysteries walk , which is an exploration of Devil ’ s Dyke that leads walkers to the spot where the Devil and his wife are said to be buried ; and , of course , the ‘ beer mat trails ’, which are a series of gentle circular strolls around the Downs that all include a pub stop to keep you refreshed . And rightly so ; walking ’ s thirsty work .
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