Adam Isler

A couple days after our hike from Devil’s Dyke (about 3 weeks ago, now), friends who were members took us to see the Wakehurst Botanical Garden. I carried 2 cameras: one with a 16-55mm zoom (24 – 82mm equivalent) and the other with the 60mm macro (90mm equivalent). It was hard not to take lots of pretty pictures which I’ll be showing here over the next few days.

Rapeseed

A vibrant landscape featuring a field of bright yellow flowers in the foreground, rolling green hills in the background, and a glimpse of the ocean under a blue sky. — Dyke Railway Trail, South Downs

As we got closer to Hangleton we were struck by the bright yellow flowers which Google told us (and not for the first time, such is the nature of our online addictions and distractions) was rapeseed.

A panoramic view of rolling green fields, featuring vibrant yellow patches and a mix of trees, under a cloudy sky.

Descent

A panoramic view of rolling green hills leading down to a coastal area with a shimmering ocean under a partly cloudy sky. — Dyke Railway Trail, South Downs

As we descended from the Devil’s Dyke, we found ourselves on the Dyke Railway Trail, with views of the countryside and farm animals, out to the English Channel and Hove on the coast.

Sign introducing the Dyke Railway Trail, featuring historical information and a map highlighting seven points of interest along the trail.

A panoramic view of lush green fields and hills leading to a blue ocean under a partly cloudy sky.

A scenic view of lush green hills with a grazing horse and cattle, overlooking the ocean in the distance. A sign for Poynings and Saddlescombe is visible.

Cloud Cover

A blooming hedge with white flowers under a blue sky with fluffy white clouds. — Devil’s Dyke, South Downs

I liked the way the clouds appeared to follow the line of the Spring blossoms.

Into the Valley

A scenic view of rolling green hills and valleys under a blue sky, with a small cluster of trees and a distant house nestled in the valley. — Devil’s Dyke, South Downs

Eventually we came round to a point where we could see around and down into the valley itself. If you look closely, you cans see some people walking down there, which will give some idea of scale.

A scenic view of rolling green hills and lush valleys, featuring a mix of trees and open grassland under a clear blue sky.

Walking Around

A scenic view of rolling green hills with trees along the slope, under a partly cloudy sky. — Devil’s Dyke, South Downs

From the bus stop and visitors’ centre, we walked around the shoulder of the valley, aiming for a view down into the valley.

Devil’s Dyke

A scenic view of rolling green hills under a partly cloudy sky, with a single person walking along a path in the distance. — Devil’s Dyke, South Downs

A couple of weeks ago we took the bus up to the Devil’s Dyke and walked home from there.

Devil’s Dyke, just five miles north of Brighton, offers stunning panoramas, a record breaking valley, a curious history and England’s most colourful habitat.
At nearly a mile long, the Dyke valley is the longest, deepest and widest ‘dry valley’ in the UK. Legend has it that the Devil dug this chasm to drown the parishioners of the Weald. On the other hand, scientists believe it was formed naturally just over 10,000 years ago in the last ice age.
With a little exploring the Dyke’s story starts to reveal itself: The ramparts or walls of the Iron Age hill fort can be seen when you walk around the hill and the remains of the curious Victorian funfair can be found just a few minutes from the car park. Venture into the valley and you will discover a living carpet of flowers and a myriad of colourful insects.
When John Constable described the panorama from Devil’s Dyke as ‘the grandest view in the world’, he wasn’t wrong, but there is so much more to discover here than just a beautiful view.

Over the next few days I’ll be posting images from that walk.