Address: Devil's Dyke Rd, Brighton BN1 8YJ
Location
Devil's Dyke is a 100 metre deep valley on the South Downs in Sussex in southern England, 5 miles north-west of Brighton. There is a National Trust car park right at the top, with wide views of the surrounding countryside. The Devil's Dyke Vintage Inn Pub, adjacent to the car park, is a great place to stop for lunch and is dog friendly.
Driving there, you will pass through the hills of the south downs, An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Famous painter John Constable described the panorama from Devil’s Dyke as 'the grandest view in the world'.
Parking
The Devil's Dyke car park is Pay & Display. £1.50 for 1 hour; £3 for up to 2 hours; £6 all day.
National Trust members and Blue Badge holders park free.
There are disabled parking spaces located at the entrance to the pub, and on the right as you enter the National Trust car park.
Accessibility
With the car park at the top of the hill, you get great views without needing to leave the car. The main view point is 20 metres from the car park and shares information on the surrounding area. The ground around the hill is bumpy so may not be suitable for all visitors.
Hidden Viewpoint
Saddlescombe Rd, Brighton (50°53'28.1"N 0°11'53.9"W in google maps)
There are multiple places to park during your journey; my personal favourite is along saddlescombe Rd, just 5 minutes from the National Trust car park. There are a few spaces at the side of the road with a view of the hills.
This is a quiet location, with few other visitors. Walking a few metres down the hill, you will find a secluded bench with views over local farmland. This can be a great place to stop for lunch or a picnic.
The path to the bench is uneven and bumpy, so it won't be accessible for all visitors, but it's only a few meters off the road so there's not a long walking distance.
Conclusion
Overall, Devils Dyke is a great place to visit, even for less able visitors, with its famous views and accessible parking. The drive through the hills offer a view of the countryside and can be a good place to stop on your way to Brighton or other seaside towns.
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