The chalk geology of the area is an important factor that enabled settlements to develop along the springlines of the South Downs ridge. Today the chalk aquifer supplies 1.2 million people with water. This cache is closely "connected" to drinking water...
LOCAL INFORMATION
Medieval Village of Lomer
In a nearby field is the evidence of the Medieval Village of Lomer in the Hundred of Fawley, deserted circa 1550. There was a church at the site until the 16th century. The settlement was probably abandoned for sheep farming enclosures - it is now used as grazing land and only various earthworks and the pond remain.
Beacon Hill
Classic chalk grassland plants can be found here throughout the spring and summer, such as wild thyme, squinancywort, clustered bellflower, common rock rose, horseshoe vetch and restharrow. Less common species such as round headed rampion and field fleawort are also present.
Beacon Hill is an excellent place for spotting butterflies such as the chalk hill blue, silver spotted skipper, brown argus and grizzled skipper. You may also encounter many of the declining farmland bird species such as linnet and yellowhammer. Raptors such as the red kite, buzzard and kestrel can be seen, as well as summer migrants like whitethroats, willow warblers and blackcaps.
DISCOVERING MORE
South Downs Way
Our ancestors have been walking the ridgeline of the South Downs for as far back as we can discover, all sharing the views that found Virginia Woolf “overcome by beauty more extravagantly than one could expect.” They crossed between Bronze Age barrows, with grassy ramparts still clearly visible at Old Winchester Hill, or as a circle of beech at Chanctonbury Ring and Iron Age hillforts, lit the beacons at Ditchling and Firle to warn of the coming Armada. We can share these experiences and enjoy more modern wonders such as the Chattri, a serene stone memorial and cremation site for the many Indian soldiers who fought and lost their lives in World War I.
The South Downs Way is one of 15 National Trails in England and Wales and was the first bridleway National Trail in England. It is also the only National Trail to lie entirely within a National Park.
Stretching from the ancient cathedral city of Winchester in the west, first capital of England, through to the white chalky cliffs of the Seven Sisters and Beachy Head at Eastbourne in the east, almost all of its stunning 160 kilometre length is blissfully off-road.
Today the South Downs Way offers inspiration and escape as we follow in their footsteps, whether ambling on an after-lunch stroll or rising to the challenge to walk, run or ride it over several days. Whoever you are, there are countless ways to enjoy this trail and all that it connects. It is the central thread running through the patchwork of culture and nature that is the South Downs National Park.
TRAVELLING SUSTAINABLY
Public transport information for the South Downs including timetable and network map.
You can cycle to this geocache, access to the area is via the South Downs Way
PERMISSION
Cache placed with kind permission from Lomer Farm