We have named this area the Holiday Coast and Downs as the
villages to the north are dominated by the influence of the South Down Chalklands
, and to the south the coastline is made up of many holiday villages built during
the last century. The centre of this area is dominated by the Ouse valley running from
Lewes down to Newhaven via the pretty villages of Kingston , Iford , Rodmell Southease and
Piddinghoe .
The Downland area is beautiful with many walks and fantastic views,
this part of the area is mostly farmland, providing a mixture of crops such as wheat and
barley in the valleys , and sheep up on the Downs themselves.
The Coast is mostly chalk cliffs, but again fantastic views out to the English Channel.
The Downland villages are small and very pretty, many originating from
Saxon times, especially those along the Ouse valley. Behind the downs lie a fairly flat
area of weald land, mostly laid over to farming, with the exception of the towns of
Burgess Hill and Haywards Heath .
The coastal area is much more modern and very heavily populated, and
seems very busy especially as you get near to Brighton . It was mostly built after the
war to provide for the seaside holiday industry, although Saltdean was from earlier in
the century.
