Ditchling Area Guide

Ditchling village lies at the foot of the South Downs in East Sussex. The village stands around a crossroads with Brighton and Hove to the south, Burgess Hill and Haywards Heath to the north, Keymer and Hassocks to the west and Lewes to the east. Ditchling Beacon, one of the highest points on the South Downs, overlooks the village. Ditchling Common, north of the village, is one of jewels in the crown of the low weald and the source of the eastern River Adur.

With a population of less than 2,000 ‘picture postcard’ Ditchling is a small market town with outstanding good looks, great location, excellent facilities and lovely houses including Tudor properties and Georgian homes. It boasts a sweet village pond and mediaeval church set on the green. Ditchling has been home to many artists inspired by the surrounding countryside amongst them Eric Gill and Illustrator Raymond Briggs'. Dame Vera Lynn, the forces sweetheart, made her home here alongside craftspeople, winemakers and families who have lived in the village for generations. Ditchling is a bustling village with many shops and two garden centres.

Ditchling’s history is rich and varied, inhabited for thousands of years, dating back to the Anglo-Saxon period, with first mention of the village in 765AD. In the 9th century it was recorded as belonging to King Alfred the Great and at the time of the Domesday Book (1086) as a former Royal Manor (one of the largest in the county), held by William de Warenne, Lord of the Rape of Lewis.

Over the next century, lands in the village passed through different hands; the most notable being the gift of Ditchling Garden Manor to Anne of Cleves, as part of her divorce settlement from King Henry VIII in 1541. The house – now known as ‘Wings Place’ remains one of the village’s most iconic landmarks, and is considered one of the best examples of a complete Tudor house in the country.

Ditchling was changed forever by the arrival of sculptor and letter cutter Eric Gill in 1907. Other craftsmen soon followed him and in 1921 they founded the Guild of St Joseph and St Dominic – a Roman Catholic community of artists and craftsmen. The community was part of the wider Arts and Crafts movement of the time, and the Guild remained active until it was finally disbanded in 1989. Much of the history of the Guild, and an exhibition of works by Guild artists, can be seen at the Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft.

Today, Ditchling is a flourishing village with a strong artistic community, and a desire to keep alive the traditions that help maintain its authentic feel.

Property

The properties in the town range from Victorian homes and quaint cottages, Tudor and Georgian houses through to bungalows, large detached houses and country homes and retirement properties. Buyers who can afford an average £673,000 are in for a treat. With over 40 listed buildings in Ditchling, there is history on every corner.

Education

Schools in the area are of a high standard. Ditchling (St Margaret’s) Church of England is the local Primary School. The nearest senior school is Downlands Community School in Hassocks, which is rated as outstanding by Ofsted. Nearby Plumpton College is excellent for further education and there are a number of notable independent schools nearby including Lewes Old Grammar, Hurstpierpoint, Brighton College and Lancing College.

Shopping

Ditchling aims to be the kind of village that’s becoming increasingly rare; busy pubs welcome locals and visitors with the same warmth and cosy cafes serve up the best Sussex produce. Local pubs, including the 12th-century White Horse Inn and the Bull, are outstanding. The Nutmeg Tree is a classic village tearoom that oozes 1940’s style, the perfect place for an indulgent, old school lunch. Breakfasts are fantastic and there are fresh pasties and sausage rolls to take away for an impromptu picnic. The Green Welly at the very heart of the village serves home baked food and roasted coffees, is dog friendly and has a gorgeous walled garden. There are a number of impressive independent shops including a post office, stunning florist, delicatessen and pharmacy. In addition there are great local organic food producers, farm shops and markets in the area plus two nearby garden centres. Shopping in Brighton and its iconic Lanes is a quick drive away and nearby Burgess Hill and Haywards Heath have bustling high streets.

Entertainment

Surrounded by glorious Sussex countryside, and just fifteen minutes’ drive from the sea, Ditchling is perfect for both walking and cycling activities. It has a wonderfully rural feel, with country parks and nature reserves that are ideal for exploring including Stoneywish, a 50-acre nature reserve with a large play area for children, and well-marked walking trails. A mile or two further north, Ditchling Common is a 188-acre reserve, with two fishing ponds (permits and licenses needed), walking trails and some lovely picnic spots.

Ditchling boasts an abundance of farms, vineyards and independent food producers offering locally sourced food. The Ridgeview Wine Estate and Court Garden Vineyard and Winery both offer tours and tastings. There is a nearby golf club, windmills, riding school, fabulous churches, a goldsmith, the Museum of Art and Craft and a variety of arts and craft centres upholding the village’s artistic history. There are a number of regular art weekend events and every two years, the Ditchling Fair brings the whole village together – just as it has for over 700 years, since King Edward II granted John de Warenne, Lord of the Manor, the right to run a fair in Ditchling in 1312.

Ditchling also has a lot to offer in the form of community groups and societies, including the Ditchling Film Society and the Ditchling Singers.

For such a small peaceful village there really is so much going on.

Travel

Ditchling has excellent transport links to Brighton, London and Gatwick both via Hassocks mainline station and by excellent road links and bus routes. For commuting, Hassocks train station is approximately 2 miles from Ditchling on the main Brighton to London line. There are regular trains to and from London (Victoria, St Pancras or London Bridge stations: approximately 50 minutes journey) and Brighton (approximately 10 minutes journey).

Ditchling is 10 minutes from the A23 by car, which runs between London and Brighton, via the A273 so travel to Gatwick and surrounding areas is efficient. The A23 links with the A27 east and west along the south coast.

There are reliable bus services from Ditchling to the surrounding towns of Hurstpierpoint, Lewes and Brighton.