Visiting the vicinity of Mount Caburn, near Lewes, England: centre for paragliding in East Sussex

One of the centres for paragliding in south-east England is located at Mount Caburn, near Lewes, East Sussex.

Mount Caburn is one of the highest points in the South Downs, a prominent chain of hills in southern England. At 146 metres, it is not high by international comparisons, but in the context of the south of England it attracts significant winds, and, when these range from south south-east to west south-west, the sport of paragliding is thus facilitated.

Thus also, for many years regular travellers on the Lewes-Eastbourne railroad and on the A27 road have been accustomed to seeing paragliders soar high above them in the vicinity of Mount Caburn.

The paragliding centre is located at Mt Caburn, Glynde (near Lewes), Sussex, BN8 6SS. An interesting fact in connection with Mount Caburn is that, in 2008, the Chief Instructor at the paragliding centre successfully completed a flight of 4 ½ hours between Mount Caburn and Sheppey Island, Kent. This flight lasted a distance of approximately 100 kilometres (1).

Since the 19th century, Mount Caburn has also been a regular location for archeological excavations; experts are divided as to the significance of ditches, present on the hill, thought to date from the Iron Age. The site has proved to be very popular with students of ancient history.

Considerable burial mounds have also been discovered. Mount Caburn was last fortified as recently as during World War Two, in preparation for a possible Nazi German invasion.

Mount Caburn has also been designated a National Nature Reserve. In its vicinity, various species of orchid are present, as are birds such as the stonechat.

February 4, 2013

Note

(1) I hasten to add that I myself cannot claim to have tried this undoubtedly exciting sport, and would caution anyone contemplating participating in it to learn with an experienced trainer.

Also worth seeing

In Lewes itself, its castle, with 1000 years of history, and Anne of Cleves' House are among the town's visitor attractions. The town has an annual bonfire festival, against the historical background to the burning at the stake of 17 Protestants during the reign of Mary I, in the 16th century.

Newhaven (distance: 12 kilometres) the Canadian Memorial — recalling the ill-fated Dieppe Raid in 1942 — in the Downtown area, and Newhaven Fort are visitor attractions at this English Channel ferry port.

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How to get there: United Airlines flies to London Heathrow Airport, where car rental is available. (Distance from London Heathrow to Lewes : 111 kilometres.) For access by road, take M23/A23/A27. There are rail links to Lewes from London Victoria railroad station. Please check with the airline or your travel agent for up to date information.

MJFenn is an independent travel writer based in Ontario, Canada.