Hassocks to Falmer via Ditchling Beacon
30 March. The weather gods shone on nine hikers last Saturday and we had a glorious nine mile walk in spring sunshine.
Celandines, white anemones and wild garlic were a welcome distraction from the inevitable mud-dodging on the path to Clayton.
We popped into Clayton Church which was being decorated for the Easter Sunday service. We heard tales of the history and how the 12th century frescoes had been covered up to protect them from Cromwell’s troops, and only re- discovered in the late 19th Century. Our impromptu local guide also informed us that Graham Sutherland had visited the church to gain inspiration and make drawings for his ‘Christ in Glory’ tapestry in Coventry Cathedral (1962).
Clayton Church
The ‘Jack and Jill’ windmills
But enough distraction! we had the steep hill to climb up to the ‘Jack and Jill’ windmills.
We walked down the South Downs Way as far as Ditchling Beacon, where we stopped for an al fresco lunch in bright sunshine.
The afternoon path undulated through downlands and woods across to the picturesque Stamner village. The village tea shop was a much-appreciated stop, and some purchases were made at the organic ‘apple press’ store next door.
We decided to leave Stanmer Hall and its gardens till ‘next time’ and took the field path to the Falmer Campus of Sussex University before reaching the station at Falmer in the late afternoon.
Sue C with thanks to Christine M for the pictures
