Devil's Dyke, Sussex facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Devil's Dyke |
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View of Devil's Dyke
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| Location | West Sussex, England |
Devil's Dyke is a very deep, V-shaped valley in southern England. It's located on the South Downs Way, not far from Brighton and Hove. This amazing natural spot is part of a Site of Special Scientific Interest, which means it's a protected area because of its unique nature. A long time ago, in the late 1800s and early 1900s, Devil's Dyke was a huge tourist attraction.
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How Devil's Dyke Was Formed
The valley of Devil's Dyke was carved out of chalk rock. This chalk formed from tiny sea creatures millions of years ago, during the Cretaceous period.
Many people in Brighton used to think this valley was made by a glacier. But that's not quite right! The deep valley was actually formed by huge amounts of water. This happened during the last Ice Age, over fourteen thousand years ago.
Water and Ice Shaped the Valley
During the Ice Age, the weather was extremely cold, but there weren't huge glaciers here. Instead, thick snow covered the South Downs. The ground was frozen solid, a condition called permafrost. This meant water couldn't soak into the chalk.
When the snow melted in summer, the top layer of soil became completely waterlogged. This wet, heavy material then slowly slid down the hillsides. This process, called solifluction, scraped away the ground. It exposed deeper layers of the frozen chalk.
After the Ice Age ended, all the snow on the South Downs melted. This created many rivers across Sussex. One of these powerful rivers helped finish carving out the Devil's Dyke valley, making it the impressive shape we see today.
Exploring Devil's Dyke's Geography
The hills around Devil's Dyke are quite tall, reaching up to 217 meters. From the top, you can see amazing views of the South Downs and a wide area called The Weald. On a really clear day, you might even spot the Isle of Wight far away!
This area is also home to the remains of ancient walls. These are all that's left of an Iron Age hillfort, which was like an old fortress. There's also a pub here today. Devil's Dyke is a popular place for people from Brighton and Hove to visit, as it's just a short drive away.
A Look at Devil's Dyke's Past
Ancient Times at the Dyke
Long before and during the Iron Age, Devil's Dyke was used as a defensive spot. This was probably because its high position gave a great view of the land around it. Its steep sides, surrounded by flat areas, also made it hard for enemies to attack.
In the Iron Age, Devil's Dyke was a very important place. All the plants were cleared off the white chalk. This made Devil's Dyke stand out as an amazing landmark. It was meant to both impress and warn people.
Victorian Era Fun at the Dyke
In the late Victorian times, Devil's Dyke became a super popular place for tourists. It had lots of fun things to do, like a fairground, two places for bands to play, an observatory, and a camera obscura (a device for projecting images).
To get there, people could even take a special train line from Hove. Devil's Dyke was a huge hit with Victorians. On one holiday in 1893, an amazing 30,000 people visited in a single day!
- Railway Line: From 1887 to 1938, a single train track ran from near Aldrington in Hove to The Dyke railway station. This station was at the bottom of the hill, bringing sightseers right to the fun.
- Cable Car: Between 1894 and 1909, a cable car stretched across the valley. It covered a distance of 350 meters and hung 70 meters above the valley floor. Imagine the views!
- Steep Grade Railway: From 1897 to 1909, a narrow train called a funicular went up a steep slope. It climbed 100 meters from near Poynings to the edge of the old hillfort.
You can still find traces of these old attractions today. For example, there are remains of the concrete supports that held up the cable car system.
Devil's Dyke Today
Today, Devil's Dyke is still a beautiful place to visit. It has also become a very popular spot for paragliding, where people fly through the air with a special parachute.
The Legend of Devil's Dyke
Local stories explain that the Devil himself created the dyke. The most popular version of the tale goes like this:
When the Kingdom of Sussex became Christian, the Devil was furious. He had lost his last stronghold in England! So, he decided to get rid of everyone by digging a huge trench through the South Downs. His plan was to let the sea flood in and drown all the people in the Sussex Weald.
Cuthman's Clever Plan
A wise hermit named Cuthman of Steyning found out about the Devil's plan. He came up with a clever idea to stop him. Cuthman proposed a bet: if the Devil could finish the trench in just one night, he could have Cuthman's soul. But if he failed, he would have to give up and leave the people of Sussex alone forever.
The Devil agreed and started digging that night. He worked his way south from Poynings towards the sea. The huge piles of earth he threw up formed nearby hills like Chanctonbury Ring, Cissbury Ring, Mount Caburn, and Firle Beacon. He even created the Isle of Wight in the English Channel with his digging!
The Devil's Defeat
Cuthman waited until just after midnight. Then, he lit a candle in his window. At the same time, he startled a cock (a rooster) so it would start crowing loudly. The light and the sound of the crowing made the Devil think that dawn was breaking. He believed he had lost his bet with Cuthman.
Ashamed, the Devil ran away, leaving the trench unfinished. From that day on, it has been known as Devil's Dyke.
The Devil's Graves
At the bottom of the Dyke, there are two small hills. People call them 'the Devil's Graves'. Legend says that the Devil and his wife are buried underneath them. The story also claims that if you run backwards seven times around these humps while holding your breath, the Devil will appear!
