Ever wondered what it feels like to run off the side of a hill and just… keep going? I did, until my feet left the grassy slope of Mount Caburn in East Sussex and the ground dropped away. In seconds, the chatter of people below became distant, the air thinned to a cool rush against my cheeks, and the South Downs unrolled beneath me like a giant green carpet.
I came to Fly Sussex in Glynde for something more exhilarating than the usual summer beach day or countryside walk. I wanted the South Downs but I wanted them from the sky, and preferably with someone who knows exactly what they’re doing.
Why Paragliding In The South Downs?
Paragliding South Downs isn’t just another outdoor activity, it’s an exciting way to experience one of England’s most stunning national parks. The rolling hills, patchwork fields, and winding roads look lovely from the ground, but from the air they are truly spectacular.
What many people don’t know is that you can have that experience in just over an hour from London, with no flying skills needed, thanks to tandem paragliding South Downs experiences like the one I tried.
Getting to Fly Sussex
My journey began at London Victoria, where I hopped on a Southern train to Glynde. It’s a scenic ride through the countryside, arriving at a heritage station in a picturesque village. From the railway station, it’s a short and easy walk to Fly Sussex’s office for registration.
I met with my paragliding instructor, Jenny, who gave me a warm welcome. After a quick sign-in and safety briefing, it was time to hike up Mount Caburn ready for our flight. The climb is part of the fun, as it gets your heart pumping and air in your lungs. The higher we went, the more the wind picked up, carrying in the faint tang of sea air from the coast.
Meet Jenny - My Tandem Paragliding Instructor
Jenny, my pilot for the day, has been paragliding since the 1990s. She first tried it in New Zealand and was instantly hooked. Over the decades, she’s flown in the Swiss Alps and along coastal cliffs, but still calls the South Downs one of the best paragliding spots in the UK.
Take-Off on Mount Caburn
I was slightly surprised by how busy it was at the top of the hill. Families with kids were enjoying the view, while lots of paragliders were fiddling with their canopies and preparing for take off. There was even a dog in the mix.
The wind had picked up, gusting in from the coast, so we had to wait a while for the right moment to get airborne. I trusted in Jenny’s judgment, and she told me it’s a skill to understand the wind, the clouds and how they all interconnect to make paragliding possible.
Once the gusts calmed down, it was time to go. We stood at the crest, the paragliding South Downs canopy spread out behind us like a giant orange sail. Jenny clipped me into the harness and did her pre-flight safety checks. All the while, my heart was thumping louder and louder, the adrenaline rushing through my body. I was nervous, but so excited.
Before I knew it, it was time to go. We jogged forwards, the harness tugged, the canopy filled, and suddenly my legs were pedalling through the air.
Flying Over Sussex
It didn’t take long for the rush of take-off to melt into calm. I sat back into the harness and was pleasantly surprised at how comfortable the ride was. From above, the South Downs National Park looks incredible: the blue ribbon of the River Ouse winding towards Lewes and glistening in the sun, the jagged line of the Seven Sisters cliffs on the horizon and a faint peak at the sea in the distance.
At one point, Jenny noticed a flock of seagulls congregating in the air. She directed us towards them, explaining how birds are like a flying weather station. Paragliding makes use of thermals, which are rising columns of warm air. If you catch a thermal, you spiral up through the air instead of descending towards the ground, which means you can stay in the air for longer. By using the seagulls as a guide, Jenny was able to catch a thermal and lift us higher. It was exhilarating, and also fascinating.
Details You Can’t See from the Ground
I’m a keen hiker, and I spend a lot of time in the South Downs following trails, enjoying hilltop views and connecting with nature. From the air, I was able to notice patterns that are invisible from the hiking trails. Flocks of birds moving like smoke over fields, cloud shadows drifting lazily across hills, and chalk hills exposed from years of mining.
One of my favourite views was of Mount Caburn itself. From the ground, it looks like any other grassy hill. But from above, you can really appreciate its design and clearly see how it was once an Iron Age Hill Fort.
A Bumpy Landing
As much as I tried, I couldn’t ignore the rising feeling of queasiness in my stomach. I am terrible with travel sickness, but I didn’t think about it happening while paragliding. After around 20 minutes, I asked Jenny to guide us down. The grass blades grew closer and the smell of warm earth replaced the cool, high-altitude air. We spiralled downwards towards a field at the bottom of the hill.
Before I knew it, the ground was rushing towards me and Jenny said “try to run your legs a bit!” I cycled my legs through the air, but as we hit the ground I stumbled and the next thing I knew I had a face full of grass. It was glorious. I love to connect with nature, after all! Jenny chuckled as she unclipped me from the harness before going off to help a fellow paraglider who had also just landed.
That was one thing that really struck me about paragliding in the South Downs: the sense of community. There were a lot of people on top of that hill, and they were all helping each other. If the wind picks up suddenly and your glider misbehaves, there’s someone there to help. Jenny knew almost everyone by name, and was catching up with old friends before going to help new ones.
Why You Should Try Paragliding South Downs
If you’re after the best paragliding experience in Sussex, this is it. You don’t need to learn solo flying or have any experience, just book a tandem paragliding South Downs session with Fly Sussex and you’re up there before you know it (weather permitting). With easy Southern Railway access from London, Brighton, and Eastbourne, it’s one of the most thrilling day trips you can do.
Quick Facts About Paragliding in the South Downs
Location: Fly Sussex, Glynde, East Sussex
Nearest Station: Glynde (Southern Railway).
Walk to Registration: 10 minutes
Launch Site: Mount Caburn
Best Time to Go: Late spring to early autumn for the most reliable weather