Welcome… Healthwalks Historic Parkland Oasis

... to the Downs on your Doorstep Getting involved in regular walking can It is believed that All across the Downs you will find large help you feel less stressed, keep you was the circular ponds called dew ponds. flexible, and halve the risk of a heart domain of Aedwulf, Not only can you walk between & attack or stroke. Beacon you can cycle and horse ride too. King of the South They were built to provide water for the large flocks of sheep It can also reduce the risk of certain Saxons (765AD). that grazed the downland from the 17th century onwards. cancers and diabetes and improve blood And if you want to discover more of the pressure. Walking even burns the same ‘Stanmer’ comes These ponds are filled by rainwater, rather than dew. you can now walk freely amount of calories as jogging! across newly created open access land. from the Saxon ‘Staen Mere’ Many ponds fell into disrepair in the 1900s due to a decline Healthwalks are a series of short social walks across meaning stony pond. in sheep grazing and the introduction of mains water. As you explore you will become aware of the & , including Stanmer Park. For further details many ways humans have changed the landscape or for a copy of the full Healthwalks programme contact: over the past 6000 years. Discover the past and enjoy This probably refers Due to their wildlife and landscape value, many ponds are to Stanmer pond which is surrounded by large stones. now being restored. yourself! Tel: 01273 292564 e-mail [email protected] It was also recorded in the Doomsday book 1086. www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/healthwalks Open Access Since then it has had many owners. It was the Easy Access Pelham family (1700s) who commissioned the building of the large house, landscaped the Since September 2004 you have the right to walk over areas of gardens and planted the woodlands. open country. Three of these areas can be found on the map We are constantly working to improve A recent historic landscape study has highlighted overleaf: Dencher Bottom, Big Bottom and Moon’s Bottom. access to the countryside by replacing the importance of this 18th century parkland. stiles with easy access gates, installing In addition Brighton & Hove City Council has created 200 seats, and surfacing paths. hectares of new open access in and around Stanmer Park to compliment the access we already enjoy through Stanmer Stanmer's easy access route sweeps 5 Attackers Beware! Woods. miles around the park along the ridge, Open Views through the woods and back down into This means you can now walk freely across much of the the park. If you are using a pushchair is Stanmer estate! The map overleaf gives you endless or wheelchair you may appreciate The open downland the site of an early opportunities to create your own Stanmer and Ditchling being dropped off near the top at landscape you see Iron Age hill fort Beacon walk. Upper Lodge Wood and picked up back today is a result of (700BC). down in the park itself. 6000 years of Rights and Responsibilities human activity. This site was chosen because it was easy to The access land symbol shows land that may defend with the steep be open for public access on foot. The Countryside Code Before this the Downs would have northern side (248m high) and clear views. Access may also exist for other been covered by a Be safe – plan ahead and wildwood. activities such as riding a horse or follow any signs Although most of its features have disappeared (due to bicycle responsibly on the open The woods were cleared for cultivation and ploughing and erosion), it is now protected access land in Stanmer Park to the north Leave gates and property as you under law because of its historical value. of Stanmer Village. find them grazing of livestock. Protect plants and animals, and The ongoing farming activity over the Its name comes from two periods of Dogs must be kept on a fixed lead (2 metres or less) on most take your litter home history. ‘Ditchling’ has Saxon origins. areas of open country between 1st March and 31st July millennia prevented the wildwood from Keep dogs under close control returning. ‘Beacon’ was added when the hill was part of (ground nesting birds) and at any time near livestock. a line of fires lit to warn of the Spanish Armada Consider other people invasion. Occasionally the land may have restrictions or closures. This has led to the patchwork of arable, For more information visit: Please follow any signs or visit pasture, wildlife rich grassland, Open up leaflet to see route map www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk woodland and scrub that we see today. T

How to Get There Want to Explore Some More? Stanmer Nursery Stanmer H E D Look out for other ‘Downs on your Doorstep’ Stanmer Nursery is leaflets available from local libraries, cafés and a hidden gem. and O other popular venues. Alternatively download Venture past W them from our website (details bottom of up N page). To venture further afield you could use Ditchling the orange Explorer 122 Ordnance Survey to the t-junction S turning left, you will

map (available from bookshops). O find the old walled kitchen garden of Beacon N If you are interested in attending a

the Stanmer Estate. Y countryside event take a look at the events

diary. Events range from guided walks and O The nursery is a talks through to kids events and festivals. Visit U the website below and search using keyword thriving business R ‘countryside’ or ‘parks’. producing plants for our parks since the 1950s. www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/events . D

Herbaceous perennials, shrubs, O trees, fruit and wild flowers railway station about 0.25 mile or 500 metres O (10 minute walk) to the main park entrance at Why not try other walks on the Downs are grown here and are on R Lower Lodges. that start and finish at local bus stops? Leaflets sale to the public. are available from the the South Downs S B78 to Stanmer Park (stops on request anywhere in the Joint Committee, please contac t: For opening times and further T park up to the Church) and 79 to Ditchling Beacon. Run details visit: E Sundays and Bank Holidays (not Xmas Day) all year, Tel: 01243 558700 P plus spring and summer Saturdays. Web site: www.southdownsonline.org e-mail: [email protected] B25, 25c, 28, 29 to bus stop on main road adjacent to the www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/stanmernursery main park entrance.

B5b, 24, 26, 46, 46a, 55, 56, 86, 88 to Asda at Your Countryside Need a Translation? , then about 0.5 mile or 1 km (15 minute walk) to Upper Lodges park entrance off Ditchling Road. We help look after the amazing countryside in and around Brighton & Hove. We focus on the conservation of the local Public Transport Officer wildlife, landscape and historical features. We also encourage 01273 292480 responsible enjoyment of this natural heritage. www.journeyon.co.uk Interested in your local wildlife? Visit: Brighton & Hove Bus Company www.CityWildlife.org.uk 01273 886200 www.buses.co.uk To find out more please contact us: Brighton & Hove City Council National Rail Enquiries Stanmer Nursery 08457 484950 Road www.nationalrail.co.uk Brighton BN1 9SE

Tel: 01273 292929 NEW Web site: www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/countryside EASY e-mail: [email protected] ACCESS Stanmer and Ditchling BeacoBlnuebells, The Great Wood, Stanmer Park

Ditchling Routes to Ditchli Beacon To Jack & Jill ng (2 miles) windmills (1 mile) and Clayton (1.5 miles) South D owns Way P

B Keymer Post South Down s Way To Kingston (9 miles) Big and Lewes (5 miles) Bottom

Dencher Heathy Bottom Brow Route Suitability

Many of the routes cross open downland which is fairly steep in places. Some are unsurfaced High Park and bumpy. They can Farm become muddy and slippery when wet, so take care!

Field colours correct Standean at time of going to Farm press.

Dew Pond

Granny’s Belt Moon’s Bottom Stanmer Village T Millbank Wood Stanmer Upper Lodge Church Wood B N Eastwick Bottom Key

T Toilets A27

Accessible Toilets University of Stanmer Nursery Stanmer Asda House Details overleaf Hollingbury B Open Access Lower Steep paths Lodges on edge of No Open Access South Downs Great P Car Park/ Dew Pond Wood Pay & Display B Stanmer Park P Pond Local Nature Know your rights of way Phone Reserve Footpath P Open Falmer Access Café Easy Access B Route 5 miles/ A27 5km in total Footpath Bus Stop Bridleway B Bridleway Train Station Steeper Slope (arrow points Monument Horse Box Parking down hill) Scale: approximately 1 mile or 1.5km (30 min. wal k)

THIS LEAFLET IS PRODUCED USING PAPER FROM SUSTAINABLE FORESTS USING SOYA BASED INKS. MAP © COUNTRYSIDE SERVICE SEPTEMBER 2008 • DESIGN: HA DESIGN 01273 626293 PRINT: WSL (BRIGHTON)LTD 01273 321103/4 • REPRODUCED FROM THE ORDNANCE SURVEY MAPPING WITH THE PERMISSION OF THE CONTROLLER OF H.M. STATIONERY OFFICE. © CROWN COPYRIGHT. UNAUTHORIS ED REPRODUCTION INFRINGESCROWN COPYRIGHT AND MAY LEAD TO PROSECUTION OR CIVIL PROCEEDINGS. BRIGHTON & HOVECITY COUNCIL. LICENCE : 100020999. 2006