Works in E SESouth Downs · Southern Hang Gliding Club
High and Over
A small, steep, tree-ringed bowl over the Cuckmere. Complex and rewarding, and not a first-timer's site.
Facts from the Southern Hang Gliding Club guide · pilots are adding the local read
Before you goNever fly it without a full site briefing: it goes thermic and turbulent at short notice. The bottom field floods all winter.
Working window
E–SE
Context only, never a go-call
Open-Meteo
Only works when the wind comes up the valley, ENE through SE. If the flow is down the valley you are at the wrong site. Sea breeze, wave and convergence all play here.
CP with top and slope landings signed off. The tight, tree-ringed bowl punishes mistakes.
Two small takeoffs: a south-east launch through a gated fence gap on the left, an east launch off a steep terrace on the right. The left is tight.
Top land behind either takeoff, or the gentle field alongside. Bottom land below the slopes with height to cross the river, and stay off the far bank (no permission).
Capped at 5,500ft.
A mile south of Alfriston on the B2108; the car park gets very busy. Postcode BN25 3AB.
Almost all trees, ringed by fences, with the river over 10ft deep at high tide. Heavy sink by the white horse spur when the wind is off to the south, and rotor anywhere behind the bowl.
Who do I ask
Southern Hang Gliding Club
Southern Hang Gliding Club steward this site. The takeoff and landing photos, the full rules and who to ring live in their guide.
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If it's not flying here
Where the wind sends you instead
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