Neolithic, Cissbury Ring, West Sussex.
Visited October 2024.
On the way to find Chanctonbury Ring, which resulted in great upset at getting lost, Dan and I followed the signs for Cissbury Ring instead.
At First, there was a giant hill. A steep one at that but the view across the landscape made up for it. Then into some woods where you think you have again gone the wrong way until you see the edges of the ramparts. It is really something and the height and view is majestic. Three Buzzards hovered above us.
‘Cissbury Ring, just north of the coastal town of Worthing, is one of the jewels in the crown of the new South Downs National Park. It's the largest hill fort in Sussex and has a history dating back over 5,000 years.
Set high up on a chalk promontory, its ditch and ramparts enclose about sixty-five acres. From the top on a clear day you can see forever, with views across to the chalk cliffs beyond Brighton and as far as the Isle of Wight.
Centuries of continuous grazing have produced a wonderful habitat for butterflies and flowers. Rare plants such as the round headed rampion, known as the ‘Pride of Sussex’, thrive here. If you want to walk, fly a kite or just enjoy some spectacular views Cissbury has it all.
During spring and autumn you can see a wide variety of migratory birds as Cissbury is one of the first coastal landing points after their long flight across the channel.’
Get up there if you are passing. There is a circular walk that you can do between both sites HERE.
