Brighton - Foredown Tower - Benfield Hill - Brighton
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The camera obscura on the eastern outskirts of Brighton and Hove is set in an impressive brick water tower on the edge of the South Downs, not far, as the crow flies, from Devil's Dyke. Standing in the dark watching as the scene outside, filtered through a pinhole viewer and projected onto a central dish, gradually emerges as you become dark-adapted, is a very memorable experience. The detail and range of the apparatus is surprising. One can see why this form of entertainment was popular with the Victorians.
The walk starts from the tower and crosses the A27 to enter Newbarn Farm Equestrian Centre. It passes West Hove Golf Club and traverses Benfield Valley play and play course. There is a short and hilly section up a quiet road.
2012: unfortunately the tower is currently closed, but there are plans to reopen it, see this link:
http://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/index.cfm?request=c1020
England - South England - East Sussex - South Downs
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Birds, Butterflies, Flowers, Good for Kids, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Industrial Archaeology, Museum, National Trust, Public Transport
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