Ditchling and the Beacon Parish

St. Margaret's Church, Ditchling.

Having a great day out.

Have an enjoyable day out while attending a service at one of The Beacon's locations.

Parishes’ wonderful churches in England’s South Downs National Park.  As a bonus, after each service, the congregation prepares a hot beverage and cakes.

Ditchling has free parking and lots of eateries within a stone’s throw of Saint

Margaret’s Church and the village green. The White Horse is the locals’ pub serving great ale and traditional pub food.  It also offers inexpensive accommodation; The Bull is a local attraction with an adventurous menu and attractive boutique rooms.  Our two cafes have a local twist.  The Green Welly refers to the footwear that locals use in our woodland walks, while Nutmeg Tree has a 50’s theme and a menu beyond compare, serving breakfast, snacks, dinner, and cream teas all day. Do not miss the Vera Lynn room.  Our tasteful Arts and Crafts Museum has a lovely shop and handy café. A favourite place to buy ice cream to eat on the village green.  There you will find some local crafts and books by our many local authors, including Raymond Briggs, author of The Snowman. 

After your repast, join in one of our favourite pastimes: country walking. You will find lots of maps and guides at the Post Office. 

The adventurous will walk south to the Ditchling Beacon and follow the South Downs Way along a gentle ridge walk to the Jack and Jill windmills. If you are peckish on the way to The Beacon, try the Everflyht Vineyard for a taste of their sparkling wines and accompanying snacks.

Alternatively, walk northeast past the village pond, past Lodge Hill to the Oldland Windmill and Court Garden Vineyard.

Along the Sussex Border Path to the north is Ditchling Common and Ridgeways Vineyard, with its lovely restaurant. 

Starting eastwards for Ditchling, there is a circular route that takes in The Beacon Parishes’ other two churches: Saint Martin’s, Westmeston and Streat Church.  The Artelium Wine Estate is a little north of this route. Stoneywash Nature Reserve is on the eastern edge of Ditchling on the way back from Streat. Besides the animals, at Stoneywash there is another museum dedicated to famous villagers. Among them is Rowland Emett, who designed Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, along with numerous other fantastic contraptions.

So, here is an itinerary: (1) Morning Service, hot beverage, and cake, (2) tea at one of the cafes, (3) walk to The Beacon and/or the other two churches, (4) return by the Roman Road to Ditchling just in time for (5) a pint of Harvey’s or a glass of a local sparkling wine at one of the pubs.