South Downs Walks From Brighton by Bus

The best South Downs walks from Brighton start from a bus stop, not a car park: Ditchling Beacon to Stanmer Park (2.8 miles), Devil's Dyke to Saddlescombe Farm (about 30 minutes), Devil's Dyke to Upper Beeding along the South Downs Way (about 4.75 miles), Ditchling Beacon down to Ditchling village and Hassocks station (about 4 miles), and, for the keen, Ditchling Beacon all the way to Devil's Dyke (about 6 miles). All of them use the weekend Breeze buses, the 77, 78 and 79, and a £5 Breeze Return covers you there and back on any of the three. Routes and fares come from Brighton & Hove City Council's own walking suggestions, checked in October 2026.

How the Breeze buses work

Three routes run up onto the Downs every Saturday, Sunday and bank holiday, apart from Christmas Day: the 77 to Devil's Dyke (up to every 75 minutes, more often in summer), the 78 to Stanmer Park (roughly hourly, finishing at Stanmer Village) and the 79 to Ditchling Beacon (roughly hourly). A Breeze Return costs £5 and, usefully, lets you go up on one route and come back on another. Up to four under 19s travel free with a paying adult. On the 78, journeys within Stanmer Park itself are free. The full details are on the council's Breeze page.

Ditchling Beacon to Stanmer Park, 2.8 miles

The one to do first. Take the 79 to the top of Ditchling Beacon, walk west to Stanmer, and catch the 78 back from Stanmer Village. It is 2.8 miles, and on a clear day the views from the top are the best free show in Sussex. Good for beginners, older kids and hangovers.

Devil's Dyke to Saddlescombe Farm, about 30 minutes

A short one with a reward. From the 77 stop at Devil's Dyke, walk east along the South Downs Way and you reach Saddlescombe Farm in around half an hour. It is a lovely way to see the Dyke valley itself without committing to a long day, and you can walk back the same way to the bus.

Devil's Dyke to Upper Beeding, about 4.75 miles

For a proper stretch of the South Downs Way, head west from Devil's Dyke for about 4 miles to Beeding Hill, then drop about three quarters of a mile down to Upper Beeding High Street. The number 2 bus runs back to Brighton daily, so you are not stuck if your legs give out. This is big sky country: very little shelter, so check the forecast.

Devil's Dyke to Patcham, about 3 miles

From the Dyke, the Sussex Border Path takes you about 3 miles back towards the city, finishing in Patcham, where the 5A runs from Old London Road. It is a good choice when the weather turns and you want to walk home rather than wait for a bus on an exposed hilltop.

Ditchling Beacon to Ditchling and Hassocks, about 4 miles

From the Beacon, walk about 2 miles down into Ditchling village, then roughly 2 miles more to Hassocks station for the train back to Brighton. Note that Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft is closed to the public for the rest of 2026, so do not plan your day around it.

Ditchling Beacon to Devil's Dyke, about 6 miles

The big one, west along the ridge via Saddlescombe. Take the 79 out, walk to the Dyke and pick up the 77 home, all on the same £5 return. Give yourself a full day in winter, when the light goes early, and check the 77 timetable for the last bus before you set off.

Gentle option: Stanmer Park health walks

If you would rather walk with company, the council lists free health walks in Stanmer Park: a Sunday walk of 3 to 3.5 miles meeting at Stanmer Village Tea Rooms at 10.45am, and a Thursday walk of 3 miles or more meeting at Lower Lodges at 11am, reached by the 23 or 25 buses that run seven days a week.

Before you go

• Footwear: chalk turns into an ice rink after rain. Wear boots with grip.
• Food: there is very little up top. Pack lunch and water.
• Dogs: the Downs are grazed, so keep dogs on a lead around livestock.
• Further afield: Seven Sisters Country Park is on the 12, 12A and 12X routes towards Eastbourne for a clifftop walk at the eastern end of the Downs.