Wolstonbury Hill
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Wolstonbury Hill is a chalk prominence approximately 4 kilometres (2.5 miles) north of Brighton and 1.6 km (1 mi) west of Clayton, in the parish of Pyecombe, West Sussex, England. It lies just to the south of Hurstpierpoint a village mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1085
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[edit] Description
Rising to a maximum height of 225 metres (738.2 feet), Wolstonbury projects into the Weald from the main ridge of the South Downs giving views of both the Downs and the Weald. Views across the Weald to the north are panoramic, to the east are the Clayton Windmills and Ditchling Beacon beyond. Hollingbury is prominent to the southeast. Looking west one can see Newtimber Hill, West Hill with Devils Dyke just beyond, further out Chanctonbury Ring is clearly visible.
Wolstonbury, owned and maintained by the National Trust, is listed as a Scheduled Monument.
[edit] Access
No roads or car parks lie close to the summit so visitors have to ascend by foot or mountain bike.
[edit] Geology
South of Hurstpierpoint ridge, the clay vale lies beneath the jutting profile and complex scarp and foot of Wolstonbury Hill.
The approach from the north is characterised by a network of linked or closely spaced woodlands (some parts ancient) centred on the designed landscape at Danny House.
[edit] Flora and fauna
There is a great diversity of plants and insects that can be found on the hill, emphasising that chalk grassland, although it is a man-made habitat, it is also one of the rarest and most diverse habitats in the world. Present ground conditions consist of grassland/pasture with a minimal to dense covering of scrub. The area south of Hurstpierpoint and on the immediate fringes of the scarp lies within the Sussex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The base of the hill is shrouded with beech woods.
[edit] Archeology and history
[edit] Neolithic
Small quantities of Neolithic and early Bronze Age flintwork have been discovered in and around Wolstonbury
[edit] Bronze Age enclosure
The main archaeological enclosure at Wolstonbury survives as an oval earthwork enclosing some 2.2 hectares (5.4 acre).
[edit] Iron Age fort
To the west of the hill is a clearly visible plateau thought to be the remains of an Iron Age fort. This fort would have guarded the gap between the hills and the route from London directly south to the sea at what is now Brighton.
'Romano-British' pottery, animal bone and hammerstones were recovered from the areas of 'shallow scoop' exposed within the enclosure.
One of the earliest references to the site was by Stephen Vine who notes that in 1765, during the course of flint digging at Wolstonbury Hill, a number of human skeletons were unearthed. His later description may indicate that the burials in question were of Saxon origin.
During the past 2,000 years sheep farming has been one of the most prominent activities on the slopes of Wolstonbury.
[edit] Ley lines
Ley lines appear to run directly through the top of the hill linking local historic buildings, churches and prominences. Probably the best evidence is the line clearly visible from the top towards Ditchling in the northeast.
[edit] Danny House
Danny House at the northern foot of Wolstonbury Hill is a combination of large house and extensive parkland.
The medieval Park of Danny was enclosed by the last Sir Simon de Pierpoint in 1343. The present house was built 1593-95 by George Goring, slightly to the east of the old house.
In 1652 Danny Great Park was 54 ha (135 acres) with arable land and meadow amounting to about 170 ha (420 acres). The parkland still contains large, noble oaks of varying ages and growth patterns and is used today for a variety of recreational activities.
Under Wolstonbury Hill, the house of Danny Park has two main fronts, the east 16th Century, the south early Georgian. The brick-built east frontage is monumental, the south front stately, the whole building a prominent element in views from the downs. There is also a well preserved ice house in the grounds
A Roman pavement has also been unearthed in the grounds of Danny. On October 13, 1918 Danny House was the scene of a meeting of the Imperial War Cabinet, including such luminaries as David Lloyd George and Winston Churchill, and it was from here that the decision was made to negotiate the armistice with Germany. Many say the members of the war cabinet sought inspiration in the slopes of Wolstonbury.
[edit] Traditions
On Ascension Day, every member of the nearby Hurstpierpoint College climbs Wolstonbury Hill. Once the whole school is assembled on top of the hill the choir sings the 17th century Hymnus Eucharisticus. After singing the hymn the Headmaster hands out the Lowe's Dole - money left by the first Headmaster, Canon Lowe, for the choir and sacristans.
[edit] Folklore
King Alfred is said to have fought on Wolstonbury Hill and the ten horseshoes which are on the Bull Hotel at Ditchling are said to have been cast by his ponies.
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