If the legend of Devil’s Dyke is to be believed this colourful chasm was formed by the Devil, and he used it to drown the parishioners of the Weald. That said, scientists have long believed that it was created naturally during the last Ice Age – but whichever version you like to go with there’s one thing every visitor agrees on and that’s that this is one of the most striking views in the UK.
At a mile long the valley rolls on for as far as the eye can see, and when John Constable recounted the sights as “the grandest view in the world” he wasn’t exaggerating. The valley landscape makes up one of the country’s most colourful habitats and the valley breaks records on all fronts for being the longest, deepest and the widest in the whole of the UK.
Now owned by the National Trust, the site’s home to dozens of popular walks so don’t forget to bring your walking boots so you can explore the valley properly. That said, this is one of those sites that’s home to a few surprises too – so leave time to wander around the Iron Age hill fort nearby and to have a look around the remains of the funny Victorian fairground close to the car park.