THE DEVIL’S DYKE, South Downs

Legend tells how Old Nick vowed to flood the churches of the Weald by digging a trench through the South Downs in one night. His frenzied excavations disturbed a woman who lit a candle, in turn waking a cockerel which began to crow, convincing the Devil that dawn was fast approaching. He fled, leaving the dyke unfinished and the people of Sussex in peace. More rational explanations say erosion created this sublime, V-shaped valley.  WALK HERE: Turn to Walk 5 in this issue.