On a bright summer’s day, we set off from the Ditchling Beacon car park for a delightful walk through the rolling hills and meadows of the South Downs. This route offered a mix of stunning chalk grassland, vibrant wildflowers, and breathtaking views—perfect for nature lovers and hikers alike.

Starting at Ditchling Beacon

Our journey began with a small loop around the meadow directly south of the car park, eventually rejoining the South Downs Way. The meadow was alive with color—Common Spotted Orchids (just past their peak), vibrant Pyramidal Orchids, and carpets of Bird’s-Foot Trefoil, along with many other classic chalk grassland plants.

Westward Along the Downs

Instead of sticking strictly to the South Downs Way, we took a parallel path slightly to the north, which offered a quieter alternative with equally stunning views. This path led us back to the South Downs Way at Keymer Post.

From there, we continued along the main trail but soon branched off onto a left-hand path heading south. This detour curved back to run parallel to the South Downs Way before rejoining it just south of New Barn Farm.

Along the Golf Course & Crossing the Road

We followed the South Downs Way alongside the golf course, descending to a busy road (take care here—cars speed down this stretch!). After crossing safely, we opted for the permissive path on the right instead of continuing on the official trail.

This quieter route led us toward Rockrose, where we were treated to a special sight—a beautiful Bee Orchid nestled among the grasses.

Ascending to Wolstonbury Hill

We turned left uphill past Rockrose until reaching a junction with the path leading down to New Way Lane. Here, we spotted a gate to the northeast and passed through it onto Wolstonbury Hill.

This area is open access land, with a mix of chalk grassland and woodland, making it perfect for exploration. We spent some time wandering the hill after lunch, taking in the wildflowers and scenic views before finally descending to New Way Lane.

Finishing at the Jack and Jill Pub

Our walk concluded at the bus stop opposite the Jack and Jill pub, where we caught the bus back to Brighton, refreshed and rewarded by a day of stunning landscapes and wildlife encounters.

Highlights of the Walk:

✔ Orchids galore – Common Spotted, Pyramidal, and a lucky Bee Orchid sighting
✔ Chalk grassland wildflowers – Bird’s-Foot Trefoil, scabious, and more
✔ Quieter alternative paths to avoid the busier South Downs Way sections
✔ Wolstonbury Hill’s open access land – perfect for a leisurely explore
✔ Easy return via bus from the Jack and Jill stop

This walk is a fantastic way to experience the South Downs’ natural beauty while avoiding the most crowded trails. Whether you’re a keen botanist, a casual hiker, or just looking for a peaceful day out, this route has something for everyone.

How to Map Your Walk: Ditchling Beacon to Wolstonbury Hill

If you want to recreate this walk or track your own route, here are some easy ways to map it—whether you prefer digital tools or old-school paper maps.

1. Using Digital Mapping Tools

A. Google Maps (Basic Route Planning)

• Open Google Maps on your phone or computer.
• Click “Directions” and select the walking icon (🚶).
• Manually plot the route by adding waypoints (e.g., Ditchling Beacon car park → Keymer Post → Wolstonbury Hill → Jack and Jill pub).
• Limitation: Off-trail paths (like our meadow loop) may not appear clearly.

B. Ordnance Survey (OS) Maps (Best for UK Hiking)

• Use the OS Maps app (subscription required) or website.
• Search for Ditchling Beacon and zoom in to see footpaths.
• Trace the route using:
• The meadow loop (south of the car park).
• The parallel path north of the South Downs Way to Keymer Post.
• The diversion south of New Barn Farm.
• The permissive path near Rockrose.
• Wolstonbury Hill (marked as open access land).
• Bonus: Download the map offline if you lose signal.

C. Strava, Komoot, or AllTrails (For Tracking & Sharing)

• Record live: Start a hike/walk activity in the app and follow the route.
• Upload later: Manually draw the path based on the description.
• Share: Export as a GPX file or link for others to follow.

2. Using Paper Maps (For Traditional Navigation)

• OS Explorer Map OL11 (Brighton & Lewes) covers this area.
• Mark key points:
• Ditchling Beacon (TQ 331 131)
• Keymer Post (TQ 312 133)
• New Barn Farm (TQ 302 131)
• Wolstonbury Hill (TQ 293 138)
• Use a highlighter to trace the route.

3. Tips for Accurate Mapping

✔ Check public rights of way (solid green lines = footpaths, dashed = permissive paths).
✔ Note landmarks (e.g., the gate near Rockrose, junction to New Way Lane).
✔ Compare with satellite view (Google Earth) to spot faint trails.

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Want a ready-made GPX file of this route? Let me know—I can help create one!

I found a similar route on this excellent Trail mapping website: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/england/west-sussex/wolstonbury-hill-short-walk

Have you walked this route before? What’s your favorite part? Let us know in the comments! 🌿🚶‍♂️