Devil's Dyke

The Dyke Railway

Reproduced with permission from the Encyclopaedia of Brighton by Tim Carder, 1990

Please note that this text is an extract from a reference work written in 1990.  As a result, some of the content may not reflect recent research, changes and events.

b) The DYKE RAILWAY: A conventional railway also operated from Brighton to the Devil's Dyke. Opened on 1 September 1887 by the Brighton and Dyke Railway Company, it left the Shoreham line at Aldrington and ran alongside Amherst Crescent, Rowan Avenue and Poplar Avenue (which were, of course, built later), past Brighton and Hove Golf Course, to a station at Devil's Dyke Farm, some 200 feet below and over half a mile from the hotel; the total length from Aldrington was about 3.5 miles at an average gradient of 1:45. However, as the popularity of motoring increased and the masses were able to drive all the way to the hotel, the line lost its attraction and eventually closed on 31 December 1938. Dyke Junction Halt, later Aldrington Halt, had opened on 3 September 1905, and there was another stop at Rowan Halt in Rowan Avenue from 12 January 1934. From 1891 trains also stopped on request at Golf Club Halt for the Brighton and Hove golf-course; an automatic bell in the clubhouse would warn members that a train was about to leave the Dyke Station. The platform at the Dyke Station and the site of Golf Club Halt may still be seen. The course of the railway itself now forms a pleasant walk from Hangleton Way (near The Downsman public house) to the Golf Club Halt. There was also a bogus 'Hangleton Halt' which was marked on maps by an unscrupulous developer! {81,82}

Any numerical cross-references in the text above refer to resources in the Sources and Bibliography section of the Encyclopaedia of Brighton by Tim Carder.