List of hills of West Sussex

This is a list of hills in West Sussex. Many of these hills are important historical, archaeological and nature conservation sites, as well as popular hiking and tourist destinations in the county of West Sussex in southeast England.

Colour key

ClassProminence
Marilyns150 – 599 m
HuMPs100 – 149 m
TuMPs30 – 99 m
Unclassified0 – 29 m

The table is colour-coded based on the classification or "listing" of the hill. The types that occur in West Sussex are Marilyns, HuMPs and TuMPs, listings based on topographical prominence. "Prominence" correlates strongly with the subjective significance of a summit. Peaks with low prominences are either subsidiary tops of a higher summit or relatively insignificant independent summits. Peaks with high prominences tend to be the highest points around and likely to have extraordinary views. A Marilyn is a hill with a prominence of at least 150 metres or about 500 feet.[1] A "HuMP" (the acronym comes from "Hundred Metre Prominence) is a hill with a prominence of at least 100 but less than 150 metres.[2]

In this table Marilyns are in beige and HuMPs in lilac. A "TuMP" as defined here is a hill with a prominence of at least 30 but less than 100 metres. The term "sub-Marilyn" or "sub-HuMP" is used, e.g. in the online Database of British and Irish Hills to indicate hills that fall just below the threshold. To qualify for inclusion, hills must either be 200 metres or higher with a prominence of at least 30 metres, below 200 metres with a prominence of at least 90 metres (the threshold for a sub-HuMP) or be in some other way notable. For further information see the Lists of mountains and hills in the British Isles and the individual articles on Marilyns, HuMPs and TuMPs. A "TuMP" as defined here is a hill with a prominence of at least 30 but less than 100 metres. By way of contrast, see also the article listing Tumps (a traditional term meaning a hillock, mound, barrow or tumulus).

Table

HillHeight (m)Prom. (m)Grid ref.ClassParentRange/RegionRemarksImage
Black Down[3]280191SU919296West Sussex county top (historical and current), Marilyn, HuMP, TuMPBeacon Batch[4]Greensand RidgeWest Sussex's county top.

Knoll at summit in trees, 30 m NNE of trig point.

Littleton Down[3]254.9149.2SU941149HuMP, TuMP, subMarilynButser HillSouth DownsWest Sussex's second highest point
Summit in trees
Linch Down[3]248111SU848173HuMP, TuMPButser HillSouth DownsWest Sussex's third highest point
No summit feature. Summit is 15 metres ENE of the trig point.
Glatting Beacon[3]24598SU965131SubHuMP, TuMPButser HillSouth DownsTrig point at summit.
Beacon Hill[3]24295SU965131SubHuMP, TuMPButser HillSouth DownsTumulus at summit.
Chanctonbury Ring (Chanctonbury Hill)[3]240217TQ138120Marilyn, HuMP, TuMPLeith Hill[4]South DownsSummit on western edge of ring.
Harting Downs[3]22968SU794183TuMPButser HillSouth DownsGrassy summit.
Devil's Dyke[3]217114SU794183HuMP, TuMPDitchling BeaconSouth DownsSummit within 2 metres of trig point.
Marley Heights[3]21653SU890302TuMPBlack Down, SussexSouth DownsBeech tree on summit, east of the farm.
Truleigh Hill[3]21667TQ225108 (est.)TuMPDitchling BeaconSouth Downs
West Harting Down[3]21680SU762187TuMPButser HillSouth Downs
Kithurst Down[3]213111SU762187HuMP, TuMPButser HillSouth DownsFeatureless summit; 5 metres south of trig point.
Farm Hill[3]21263SU961145TuMPButser HillSouth DownsCrop field at summit.
Hatch Farm Hill[3]21143SU898298 (est.)TuMPBlack DownSouth Downs
West Hill[3]21189TQ279117TuMPDitchling BeaconSouth DownsNo summit feature.
Barlavington Down[3]20855SU961155TuMPButser HillSouth DownsNo summit feature. Arable field.
Telegraph Hill, Sussex[3]207130SU870264HuMP, TuMPBlack DownSouth DownsSummit is 5 metres NW of a bungalow.
Bow Hill[3]20674SU824112 (est.)TuMPButser HillSouth Downs
St Roche's Hill[3]20657SU877110 (est.)TuMPButser HillSouth Downs
Wolstonbury Hill[3]20666TQ283138 (est.)TuMPDitchling BeaconSouth Downs
Bedham Hill[3]155122TQ014221HuMP, TuMPBlack DownSouth DownsFlat, featureless summit, partly covered in trees.
Thorney Island[3]66SU765019 (est.)"Significant Island of Britain"[3]NonePossible alternative summit by church.

See also

References and footnotes

[1]