Dallington, Rother (286). TQ6519. 5m ESE of Heathfield

On the Battle Ridge. Church rebuilt, except for the Perp tower with Pelham Buckle on parapet and rare stone spire (cf. Chiddingly, Northiam). The Sugar Loaf (½m ENE), conical folly built by Mad Jack Fuller (see Brightling) after he mistakenly wagered with a guest that he could see Dallington church spire from his house.

Danehill, Wealden (1476). TQ4027. 5m ENE of Haywards Heath

In Ashdown Forest, with Victorian church by Bodley & Garner (1892). Incs Chelwood Gate (2m NNE), and Furner’s Green (1m SSE) with the Haven Farm Museum.

Didling, Chichester (Treyford). SU8318. 4m SW of Midhurst

Has a simple unrestored C13 church under the Downs with old furnishings (e.g. medieval benches).

Ditchling, Lewes (1768). TQ3215. 7m N of Brighton

Large village below the South Downs; Ditchling Beacon (NT) (1½m SSE), at 813’, is the highest point of the Downs in Sussex (hillfort). Cruciform E.E. church with good chancel and C13 chest. Pleasant village with the C16 timber-framed Anne of Cleves’ House, and other half-timbered and Georgian houses. Museum (Church La). Artistic community established here by sculptor Eric Gill in 1920s, members inc. the artist Sir Frank Brangwyn (d. 1956); village still an Arts & Crafts centre. On Ditchling Common (2m N) is the Gibbet, where pedlar hung for triple murder in 1734.

Donnington, Chichester (1565). SU8502. 2m S of Chichester

On the Selsey peninsula and Chichester Canal. Good E.E. church (recently restored) with Perp tower and minor monuments. The brick Church Farm is of 1677.

Duncton, Chichester (291). SU9617. 3m SSW of Petworth

Below the South Downs. The church, rebuilt on a new site in 1866, preserves a C14 bell. See also Burton.

© J E D Saunders 2002