Black Down

Black Down is the highest point in the South Downs National Park, a wild-feeling hilltop of purple heather, wavy hair grass and pine cared for as internationally important heathland within the Wealden Heaths National Nature Reserve. Alfred, Lord Tennyson loved the view and strode out through the heather wrapped in his cloak, and WE Hunter gave the hill to the Trust in 1948 in memory of his wife; the couple are remembered by the curved stone seat at the Temple of the Winds, named after a Bronze Age circular bank. Ancient sunken lanes used by traders, shepherds and chert quarrymen cross the slopes, and grazing cattle keep the scrub in check. Reviewers single out the views south from the Temple of the Winds and the heather, and several mention the free parking. There are no toilets on site. Dogs are welcome on leads, and a two-mile Temple of the Winds trail starts from the main car park.