Ted Power
Brighton and Sussex - other interests

The history of Devil's Dyke 2

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Arrival at Devil's Dyke

Admire the view from the bus on Devil's Dyke Road

Just before the 77 bus completes its journey along on Devil's Dyke Road to the Dyke Hotel Terminus, you will get the opportunity to see the long ravine (to the north) on the side where the people are walking. To the south, you will easily see the sea. The old Dyke Railway Terminus with its various station buildings has long been demolished. It was cleared after the end of World War II and the present installations belonging to Dyke Farm were built in its place. Just a short section of the railway platform remains, which is most conveniently viewed in the video "Devil's Dyke - a Victorian Pastime" since the farm is now private property. The video, lasting about 40 minutes, can be purchased from the National Trust Kiosk (open most weekends Spring to Summer) in the Devil's Dyke Car Park adjoining the pub & hotel. It is well produced and contains footage of the facilities that the Victorians enjoyed, including the Dyke railway in action.

The National Trust took over the management of the Dyke Estate in 1995, though the hotel / pub is still independently owned. You can pick up the National Trust's free pamphlet (also entitled 'Devil's Dyke times') from the kiosk in the car park, giving you information about practical conservation, countryside events, walks and talks. From the links page of this website, you can also access information about coming further involved as a conservation volunteer, helping to protect this beautiful environment.

Devil's Dyke Bus 77 Terminus

The bus stops alongside Devil's Dyke Pub & Restaurant. Since this is the terminus, it is also the place where you take the bus back to Brighton.

The level ground around the Pub & Restaurant (formerly Devil's Dyke Hotel) offers a convenient platform from which to look around for those who don't want to go on long walks or explore the ravine.

Various buildings have occupied more or less the same position. There is early mention of a temporary building for the convenience of visitors in the 1818 publication 'Rambles in the Vicinity of Brighton'. A Brighton confectioner named Mr Sharp offered visitors a variety of refreshments during the summer season.

In 1827, according to 'Bruce's History of Brighton', the building on this site is now referred to as 'Dyke House', also offering refreshments evidently to growing numbers of visitors. Dyke House was frequented by numerous picnic and riding parties from both Brighton and Worthing and continued as a sheltered place to sit and buy refreshments for many years.

The next mention of 'Dyke House' is recorded in Martin's 'History of Brighton'. This 1871 publication informs us that the house has recently been rebuilt and that it is now in the ownership of Mr William Thacker. It has also become a favorite meeting-place for hunting parties, including the Brighton Harriers. Hunting was part of village life on the Dyke Estate - there is even a tale of a fox that took sanctuary in Poynings village church, ending up in the pulpit.

William Thacker was responsible for upgrading what was at best a small inn into a fairly well equipped hotel attracting some famous visitors. Further improvements were made by Mr J.H. Hubbard, who bought the Dyke Estate in 1892, renaming it 'Dyke Park'. His imaginative additions to the hotel and surrounding amenities are recorded on the next page.

Devil's Dyke Pub & Restaurant

[Extract from the first issue of 'the Devil's Dyke Times' May 1893 recording the changes that Mr James Hubbard made since purchasing the hotel in 1892]

ONE MILLION

1,000,000 people - a number that it is confidently expected will be exceeded this year. Up to this date close on 230 thousand have passed through the gates.

The historical Dyke, always a favourite resort with visitors, until last year was little better than a wilderness, where people soon tired of staying. Now the day does not seem long enough to enjoy the full and enchanting beauties of the place.

This change has been brought about by MR. J. H. HUBBARD, a gentleman of wide travel and experience, who, charmed with the many natural features .of the spot, noticing the little attention paid to meet the wants and requirements of visitors there, after two or three inspections, availed himself of an opportunity to purchase the freehold.

To do this proved no small undertaking, but in spite of almost insurmountable obstacles and many calumnious reports, the first year of his proprietorship and management was such a success that, as mentioned before, it is computed over a million people journeyed there to enjoy the unrivalled scenery and inhale the bracing air of sea and land; thus showing that his past experience as a public caterer had taught him to properly gauge the requirements of the great British public, while his management was such that, notwithstanding this vast concourse of visitors, there was not one disturbance or breach of the peace throughout the year.

With a view to enhance its popularity, improvements on the Estate are progressing daily. Among the latest may be cited the

RETURN RAILWAY,

Three hundred yards long, a source of endless and harmless enjoyment for old and young.

STEEL RIFLE GALLERY.

NEW BILLIARD ROOM

With two full-size tables.

A CAMERA OBSCURA

That ranks with the FINEST IN ENGLAND, in addition to numerous

OLD ENGLISH OUTDOOR GAMES AND PASTIMES.

Refreshments are dispensed in several picturesque buildings, by a thoroughly efficient and obliging staff, at prices to meet the requirements of all sections of visitors, this being assured by everything being under the personal control of MR. HUBBARD, who does not allow monopolists to interfere with the tariff of charges. Every class is catered for in a broad and liberal spirit, and the public may rely on finding every comfort and necessity provided at this charming, invigorating, and health-giving rendezvous.

THE MODEL FARM

Which may be mentioned, about 800ft. above sea level, is cultivated under the personal superintendence of MR. HUBBARD, and, besides meeting the heavy demands of the Dyke Hotel, yields sufficient to send to the Brighton Market.

By the end of the present year, the entire Estate will be enclosed with an Iron fence to protect visitors and render the place of a more park-like appearance than at present; 300 yards will be up by Whitsun.

The whole of this splendid and unique adjunct to Brighton is open absolutely free to all. It may be reached by rail from Brighton and West Brighton, by the many excellent brakes and waggonettes running from the King's Road throughout the day or by a pleasant, ever-changing walk over road and Downs.

No one is asked at the Dyke to spend a penny to enjoy all the pleasures that a visit there affords the sightseer.

In conclusion, MR. HUBBARD is deeply sensible of the many kind tokens of confidence he has received and large public support that has been accorded him during his proprietorship. It will always be his endeavour to merit a continuance of this confidence and public patronage, and at the same time prove that his opinion of the " Devil's Dyke," with its extraordinary characteristics, having a great future before it, was a correct one.

Have your photo taken on Devil's Dyke

Few of the fairground attractions, with which former estate & hotel owner drew Victorian visitors to the Dyke, remain today. However, the promise of breath-taking views is still fulfilled.

Residents of Brighton who appreciate the access we have to fine countryside (as opposed to the urban sprawl surrounding many cities) owe a debt of gratitude to Sir Herbert Carden. On behalf of Brighton Corporation, Carden had the forsight to purchase many of the areas of oustanding beauty on the outskirts of Brighton at a time when land values did not greatly tax the public purse. James Hubbard's sense of enterprise eventually got him into debt and he retired to Canada, while Carden secured the Estate for the Corporation. Carden is remembered for his vision since there are quite a few streets named after him in Hollingbury (the northern suburb of Brighton).

On 30th May 1928, the Duke & Duchess of York dedicated the Dyke Estate to the use of the public for ever and in 1932, Brighton Corporation leased the Dyke Hotel (amusement & catering rights included) to Mr Fred Piggot for a period of 60 years. At this time, the hotel was also rebuilt at Mr Piggott's expense (circa £8,000) to bring it up to date.

In 1940 (the second year of World War II) the hotel was requisitioned by the Army and during their tenure it was gutted by fire in 1945. It took a long time to reach a compensation settlement.

The main shell of the present building was erected in 1955, though it has subsequently been modernised. The National Trust assumed responsibility for management of the Dyke Estate in 1995, though the Pub & Restaurant (the Hotel) remains in independent hands.


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