South Downs Way - History

History

People have been using the South Downs Way for approximately 8000 years (as a safer and dryer alternative to the wetter lowlands) throughout the Mesolithic era and early occupation began 2000 years after that in the Neolithic era. Early inhabitants built Tumuli in places on the hills and hill forts later once tribal fighting became more common. Old Winchester Hill is an example of one these hill forts along the path. The trail was probably used by the Romans, despite the fact that they built one of their roads across the path at Stane Street (Chichester), this use possibly evidenced by the existence of Bignor Roman Villa near Bury, very nearby the path.

Of Medieval historical interest, the village of Lomer, now only visible as a few small bumps in the ground, was most likely abandoned during the plague in the 14th century while the flat plain to the north of the South Downs Way where it passes Lewes is the site of the famous Battle of Lewes fought by Simon de Montfort, 6th Earl of Leicester and Henry III during the Second Barons' War. By means of a night march De Montfort positioned his men above the town on the high ground of the South Downs, achieving strategic advantage and complete surprise, which contributed greatly to his rout of a Royalist army twice the size of his own.

During the Tudor era the downs were also in use and in particular Ditchling Beacon, which had been used as a beacon to warn of invasion in preceding centuries, was used again to warn Queen Elizabeth I of the Spanish Armada lumbering east along the English Channel.

One particular oddity, The Long Man of Wilmington can be found only a few metres off the path and down the hill as the path nears one end in Eastbourne. Its origin is unknown but the true age is probably later than most people think. The mystery surrounding its origin and its meaning make some ancient Celtic explanation quite desirable but recent study has shown that it was most likely created in the sixteenth or seventeenth centuries AD possibly posing more questions than it answers regarding its meaning. Yet still it attracts its fair share of Neo-Druidism and other Pagan interest with rituals and festival held there commonly.

During the Second World War much of the south coast of England was fortified with pillboxes, tank obstacles and machine gun posts in anticipation a Nazi invasion, the plan for which was known to the Nazis as Operation Sealion. These objects can be seen closer to the sea and require a diversion. The closest and probably best site is Newhaven Fort, a 5 mile diversion from the path, which is an attraction that houses many World War 2 artefacts and documents with impressive examples of the huge cannons used in coastal defence.