DOWNLAND ART TRAIL
@Butts Brow
What do the South Downs mean to you? Look up, look down, look all around: what do you see, what do you hear?
Explore a trail of Eastbourne Downland-inspired artwork and activities at Butts Brow inspired by this stunning landscape that people have been drawn to for thousands of years. The trail invites you to slow down, notice the details and see the South Downs differently — through a series of creative installations and activities set with the beautiful surroundings of Butts Brow.
When and where to visit:
The trail is free and self-led and will be in place from Sunday 3rd to Sunday 17th August 2025
Start your journey from Butts Brow Car Park, Butts Ln, Eastbourne BN20 9EP.
OR
Join us for free drop-in creative workshops and guided walks for all ages on our guided openays:
3 & 7 August, 10am–4pm
Free shuttle bus from Eastbourne provided.
*More details of workshop and bus times to be announced soon!
Our creative team:
Just like a prime piece of chalk grassland, our downland art trail creative community has evolved in a pleasingly organic way from individuals who have connected with the Changing Chalk project via walks, talks and practical volunteering. They are all passionate about inspiring others to connect with the beauty of the South Downs on our doorstep. They have collaborated with Lewes and Eastbourne residents in the development of their installations, doing workshops with junior school children, 16-25 year olds and older care home residents.
Ruthie Martin
British painter and mixed media artist, Ruthie Martin, is the Artist-in-Residence and Wellbeing in Nature group support volunteer at the Railway Land in Lewes. Her mixed media work is inspired both by the landscape of the South Downs National Park and by considerations of the shifting relationships between human and more-than-human natural worlds. Ruthie will be encouraging us to look up and around from the top of Butts Brow.
https://ruthiemartin.com/about https://www.instagram.com/ruthiemartin.artist/
Loupe Cooper
Loupe came to the Changing Chalk project and developed a newfound love of the Eastbourne Downland via volunteering with the monthly conservation group who look after Butts Lane meadow. Her most recent artwork as been inspired by the variety of chalk grassland meadow flowers, ancient maps of Willingdon and….moths! She will be inviting you to explore the meadow area and look closely at the ground.
Eve Tomkins
Eve is a young & talented land-craft artist and metalworker who graduated from Brighton University Design and Craft degree in Summer of 2024. Her beautiful metalwork sculptures are inspired by and perfectly reflect the downland landscape.
Rachel Kiley
Rachel is a photographer who lives right within the Eastbourne Downland and loves exploring it with an immersive photography style. She is also an experienced at supporting groups and individuals of all ages and backgrounds to discover new ways of exploring and seeing the natural world around them. You will find Rachel’s QR-coded prompts for engaging with the landscape all around the Butts Brow art trail.
To find out more about the project or to volunteer, email Jennie Smith, our Chalk Life Ranger, here
