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Devil's Ditch is a section of linear earthwork running westnorthwestward from Chapel Lane in Sussex, England. This 362-metre length forms part of a substantial prehistoric or early medieval defensive boundary, though the precise dating and original extent of the complete ditch system remain subjects of scholarly study. The monument consists of a ditch with associated banks, characteristic of linear fortifications constructed to demarcate territorial boundaries or provide defensive barriers across the Sussex landscape. As a scheduled ancient monument, this segment preserves important archaeological evidence of early territorial organisation in the region.
A 362m length of Devil's Ditch running WNW from Chapel Lane is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1005881. View the official record →
Devil's Ditch is a section of linear earthwork running westnorthwestward from Chapel Lane in Sussex, England. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic England (NHLE) under reference 1005881.
A 362m length of Devil's Ditch running WNW from Chapel Lane is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic England (NHLE) — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in England. The official designation reference is 1005881.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Chichester Dyke, sections in Little Cotfield Plantation (1.7 km), Chichester Dyke, Broyle earthwork, section extending 430yds (393m) through East Broyle Copse, to railway, and earthwork extending 400yds (365m) from Brandy Hole Lane, New Fishbourne (2.4 km), A Romano-Celtic temple, Iron Age shrine and associated remains 250m north west of Ratham Mill (3 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 15 strands of A 362m length of Devil's Ditch running WNW from Chapel Lane's history, each drawn from the record and mapped to the exact spot:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
A 362m length of Devil's Ditch running WNW from Chapel Lane stands on White Chalk Subgroup, bedrock that formed in the Maastrichtian. The rock here is chalk.