Walking up and down hills, passing by the famous Devil’s Dyke and ending in the lovely seaside town eating fish and chips by the water, this is what the Hassocks to Shoreham-by-Sea walk is all about. If you are looking for a challenging walk with breathtaking views over the South Downs valley ending with a gentle stroll alongside the River Adur, this walk is perfect for you. Let’s dive in!
When I was asked if I wanted to join a Hassocks to Shoreham hike, my first reaction was:
“I did not know Shoreham was so close to Hassocks?”
Well, it is not Shoreham in Kent we are talking about here, but Shoreham-by-Sea in Sussex, which makes more sense. Shoreham in Kent is 37 miles (59 km) away from Hassocks and it would take a whopping 12 hours and 30 minutes to walk there from Hassocks!!!
So no panic guys, Shoreham-by-Sea is only 13 miles (21 km) away from Hassocks. Easy!
If you are looking for a walk near Shoreham in Kent, check the Otford to Eynsford Walk guide here.
Logistics of the Hassocks to Shoreham-by-Sea Walk
- Distance: 13.1 miles (21 km)
- Ascent: 1312 feet (393 m)
- Walking Estimate: 5 hours and 50 minutes
- Difficulty: Intermediate/Challenging
- How to get there: Day return tickets from London Victoria to Shoreham-by-Sea and get off at Hassocks. The journey from London Victoria to Hassocks takes 55 minutes and the journey back from Shoreham-by-Sea to London Victoria takes 1 hour and 15 minutes.
- What to bring: Comfortable footwear and clothing, hiking poles can be useful, beanie or ear cover as it gets windy on the top of the hills. Head cover, sunscreen and sunglasses as well as your rain gear; it is England after all and the weather can take a turn at any time. A backpack with a minimum of 2 litres of water, snacks, packed lunch, identification and money.
- Additional Information: There are public toilets available at Saddlescombe Farm and customer toilets available at YHA Truleigh Hill Hostel
- Pub Stop: The Crown & Anchor
Highlights of the Hassocks to Shoreham-by-Sea Walk
- Hassocks
- Clayton Tunnel
- Jack & Jill Windmills
- Wolstonbury Hill
- Newtimber Hill
- Saddlescombe Farm
- Devil’s Dyke
- Edbury Hill
- Truleigh Hill
- River Adur
- Lancing College
- Shoreham-by-Sea
Hassocks to Shoreham-by-Sea Walk
Hassocks
Located in West Sussex, the village of Hassocks was settled in the Iron Age as shown by remains of a fort found at the top of Wolstonbury Hill. Covered by fields, the area was mainly used for farming. It is only in 1841, with the opening of the railway station, that Hassocks started expanding. The station is on one side of a tunnel going under the chalk hills of the South Downs. On the other side of this tunnel is Clayton, where the entrance is easily recognisable thanks to its castellated gate. At the beginning of WWII, the evacuation of the population in London brought an additional 1250 people to the village.
Our walk starts at Hassocks Sation. When you come out of the station, there is a footpath on the opposite side of the car park leading to Clayton Avenue. When you get to the end of Clayton Avenue, you find another footpath leading straight to Butcher’s Wood. Walk across the woods and you arrive at Clayton.
Clayton
Clayton is a village in the South Downs. The most famous landmarks in the village are the windmills, Jack & Jill, with Jill being one of the last remaining operating windmills in England and the Clayton Tunnel Gate. The local folklore says that the owner of the land where the tunnel goes under only allowed for the construction to happen if towers were built at the entrance.
When you arrive in Clayton, cross over the rail tracks with the castellated gate and continue on New Way Lane. Take the first footpath on your left. You then the ascent of the first hill of this walk, Wolstonbury Hill.
Wolstonbury Hill
The 154 acres of Wolstonbvury Hill are classed as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and owned by the National Trust. Its maximum height is 206 meters, however, our walk takes us to 156 meters as we deviate from the path leading to the top.
Wolstonbury Hill is an important archaeological site and is classed by the National Trust as a Scheduled Monument. Excavations had uncovered the remains of an Iron Age fort, as well as Bronze Age flint tools and Roman potteries.
Come down the hill passing by meadows with sheep, and you arrive at the Church of the Transfiguration in Pyecombe village. The Church was originally built in the twelfth century and the norman tower was later added in the thirteenth century. One of the interesting features of the church is its Taspel Gate, one of the only 6 remaining in the country. However, the current Tapsel Gate is a replacement of the original which was put in place in the eighteenth century.
Saddlescombe Farm
Leave Pyecombe and start the ascent of the second hill of this walk, Newtimber Hill, with the highest point at 207 meters. Surrounded by the lush green rolling countryside of the South Downs, the top might seems like a perfect spot for a break, but don’t stop yet.
Continue and at the bottom of the hill on the other side, you arrive at Saddlescombe Farm.
The farm has a rich history and went through many owners over the centuries. from Saxon Lords to Norman nobles, from Church Orders to Courtiers, from the Canadian military services to the National Trust in 1995. The trust rebuilt the barn to be used for schools day out and reintroduced sheep farming for the first time since 1942.
At the farm, you find a cafe selling hot drinks, refreshments and also delicious homemade cakes as well as public toilets.
The Devil’s Dyke
Leave Saddlescombe farm by the same path you were on when you arrived, located at the back of the farm. Cross Saddlescombe Road and you arrive at the Devil’s Dyke Estate.
This National Trust 100 meters deep valley attracts many walkers not only for the outstanding beauty of the V-shape escarpment but also for its history and mystery.
Video: Watch the legend of the Devil’s Dyke and how a monk defied the Devil.
The Devil’s Dyke estate was settled more than 2000 years ago as shown by the artefacts uncovered and the remains of an Iron Age hill fort. Mainly used for farming during medieval times, the Devil’s Dyke becomes a fashionable destination in the eighteenth century. The proximity to renowned places such as Brighton and the opening of the London to Brighton railway in 1840 contributed to the expansion of tourism in the region. By 1892, the Devil’s Dyke became an amusement park, and it was possible at the time to travel to the site by train. However, with the start of WWI, the park was dismantled and used for bomb testing. During WWII, it was used as a training area by the Canadian forces.
Related Content: Newhaven to Brighton Walk
Walk alongside the Devil’s Dyke on the footpath parallel to Devil’s Dyke Road. As you arrive at the end, turn right towards the car park. Continue straight and take the first footpath on your left.
Edbury and Truleigh Hills
Follow the path on the edge of Edbury Hill overlooking the village of Fulking at the bottom. Admire the beauty of the South Downs and the valley as you are walking on the chalk path up and down the rolling countryside. You soon arrive at a crossing, where cows make use of the space for themselves. Be careful as you are walking past them not to upset or annoy them.
Continue walking on this path and you soon arrive at Truleigh Hill, easily recognisable by the four communication towers at the top. On the hill, you can see meadows with sheep and also horses.
Shortly after you walk past the communication towers you arrive at the YHA Truleigh Hill Hostel. This is the perfect spot for a break at their cafe on the first floor. As a customer, you can also use their toilets. Right opposite the hostel, you find a field with friendly goats so happy to see you stopping by.
After the break, wave goodbye to the chalk ground as you would be walking on concrete path for a little while. Follow the road on the ridge overlooking the rolling green hills of the South Downs. When you reach the end of the road, do not turn left onto Mill Hill but take the footpath in front of you. It is only a short walk from there until you reach the River Adur.
River Adur
The Adur River is a 20 miles (32 km) long river starting in two separate branches which meet in Henfield and flow all the way down to Shoreham-by-Sea. During the Saxon times, the river was navigable but by the eleventh century, it became obstructed with silt.
As you arrive at the River Adur, you have two choices:
- Follow the river towpath called the Downs Link which is exposed
- Walk inland through a forested area
As it began to rain when I did this walk, we chose the second option to be protected from the rain by the trees. The downside of this path is obviously the fact that the trees and the vegetation obstruct the view of the river.
However, both paths meet perfectly right opposite Lancing College, offering you the perfect spot for a shot of this picture building. Founded in 1848, the college is a day and boarding school for pupils between the age of 13 and 18 years old. Located on a hill overlooking the River Adur, the buildings are designed in Gothic style. The college when founded was to offer strong catholic education and for this purpose, a chapel was built. Its construction started in 1868, and remains unfinished until last year.
Shoreham-by-Sea
Tucked between the South Downs and the English Channel, Shoreham-by-Sea was settled during the pre-roman times. With an economy and development mainly centred around the port activities, the town beneficiates from the popularity of nearby towns such as Brighton, Hove and Worthing.
Continue walking on the Downs Links until you reach the end of the path. Take Broad Reach and when you get to the roundabout, take the High Street opposite the roundabout. From there it is only a short walk until you reach the Crown & Anchor pub. With a boat and a pirate on its facade, you cannot miss it! Enjoy a comfort meal and a well-deserved drink in the beer garden at the back, facing the river.
Tip: If you still have energy after the pub stop, make your way to Shoreham Beach for a magical sunset on the English Channel.
Hassocks to Shoreham-by-Sea Walk Map
Do you want to do the same walk? Simply download the map by clicking on the download button below. You can upload the map to your navigation app by following my step by step guide here.
Final thoughts on the Hassocks to Shoreham-by-Sea Walk
Discover more of the legend of the Devil and his doing in Surrey and Sussex, from the Devil’s Dyke to the Devil’s Punch Bowl passing by the haunted hills of Sussex. Will you dare?
Cissbury and Chanctonbury Rings Walk
And you, what is your favourite walk in the South Downs?
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