Devil's Jumps

Devil's Jumps is a Bronze Age cemetery comprising five large burial mounds arranged in a straight line across downland. The bell barrows rise distinctly from the surrounding grassland, each with different dimensions that suggest they were built over an extended period.

These mounds date back roughly 3500 to 4000 years to the Bronze Age, when they were built as burial places. Nineteenth-century excavations uncovered human remains within them, confirming their role as graves for ancient communities.

The barrows sit within chalk grassland maintained by grazing sheep and cattle, creating a landscape that echoes how the area appeared thousands of years ago. Walking among them, visitors sense the open terrain that surrounded these burial grounds in ancient times.

The site sits on open downland exposed to the elements and remains accessible year-round, though there is no shelter. Sturdy footwear is advisable, especially after rain when the ground becomes slippery.

Local folklore links the mounds to the Devil, their name deriving from tales of Thor allegedly hurling stones at him as he leaped across them. This mythological explanation reflects how later generations tried to make sense of these mysterious ancient structures.

Location: Elsted and Treyford

GPS coordinates: 50.94940,-0.82723

Latest update: December 11, 2025 18:02