Location notes
The tunnel is situated in the heart of the South Downs, so very rural. A few houses nearby plus the pub.
Railway type and traffic
The Brighton line is mainly run by 377s from Southern and 319s from First Capital Connect (formerly Thameslink) at a regular frequency of one every roughly 5 - 10 minutes in either direction. There are also two Voyagers each way every weekday and one on Saturday.
Freight is rare, and is usually just a Network Rail MUV or perhaps a 66 on a ballast working, but these workings are not often publicised.
Several enthusiast specials also visit every year.
Freight is rare, and is usually just a Network Rail MUV or perhaps a 66 on a ballast working, but these workings are not often publicised.
Several enthusiast specials also visit every year.
Environment
The location is rural so not too many other people, although a lot of cars passing on the road.
Road directions
From Brighton:
Follow A23 north and take junction toward Hassocks on A283 (first junction after the A27 going northbound). Follow this road up and over the hill and you will come round a bend and over the bridge.
From M25:
Take M23 and A23 to Burgess Hill / Twinham / Hickstead junction. Follow signs for town centre and then turn right at last roundabout toward Hassocks and Pyecombe. Follow this road straight on over the crossroads and you will reach the bridge.
Clayton Tunnel (north end) map co-ordinates
Follow A23 north and take junction toward Hassocks on A283 (first junction after the A27 going northbound). Follow this road up and over the hill and you will come round a bend and over the bridge.
From M25:
Take M23 and A23 to Burgess Hill / Twinham / Hickstead junction. Follow signs for town centre and then turn right at last roundabout toward Hassocks and Pyecombe. Follow this road straight on over the crossroads and you will reach the bridge.
Clayton Tunnel (north end) map co-ordinates
Parking
There is some car parking in the pub, although not recommended if busy as staff can be a bit tetchy about you leaving your car there. There is space for one or two cars on country lane behind the pub next to the fnece at the top of the embankment leading to the railway. Other than that, park at Hassocks railway station.
Public transport
Hassocks is on the line and is served by trains from Brighton, Hove, Victoria, Gatwick, London bridge, East Croydon, Clapham Junction, Redhill and Three Bridges.
From the station exit on the down side (platform 1). Walk down the hill to the roundabout and turn sharp right. Just before the railway bridge there is a footpath alongside the line, which leads up to the bridge at Clayton Tunnel (the second bridge you come to).
Although buses cross the bridge there are no bus stop at the location.
From the station exit on the down side (platform 1). Walk down the hill to the roundabout and turn sharp right. Just before the railway bridge there is a footpath alongside the line, which leads up to the bridge at Clayton Tunnel (the second bridge you come to).
Although buses cross the bridge there are no bus stop at the location.
Amenities
There are toilets and refreshments in the pub (the Jack and Jill). The nearest shops are in Hassocks. The nearest supermarkets are Tesco in Burgess Hill and Budgens in Hassocks.
Accommodation
A list of places can be found at
Where on the map
Sun Compass
Open this Image in a new window and use as a sun compass with the links below.
Streetmap links
Clayton Tunnel (north end) general view map
Clayton Tunnel (north end) close up map
Multimap links
Clayton Tunnel (north end) on new multimap
Clayton Tunnel (north end) general view map
Clayton Tunnel (north end) close up map
Clayton Tunnel (north end) aerial view (where available)
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Clayton Tunnel (north end)
Some areas not available at all zoom levels,.
Helpful location information
Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
The light is better on the eastern side in the morning and western on the afternoon (both are accessible), as the sun is behind you at these times of day, although early morning and late evening can result in the lines being quite dark due to the hills.
Trains in both directions are easily photographed throughout the day, and it is best to stand just to one side of the track rather than face it straight on.
There is a very busy road running past this location which could put off videographers.
If you do find this information useful then please feel free to mention how you 'found' the location on your website or magazine submission.
Trains in both directions are easily photographed throughout the day, and it is best to stand just to one side of the track rather than face it straight on.
There is a very busy road running past this location which could put off videographers.
If you do find this information useful then please feel free to mention how you 'found' the location on your website or magazine submission.
Offical Guidelines for Railway Enthusiasts
British Transport Police Guidelines for rail enthusiaist
Network Rail Guidelines for rail enthusiasts
ATOC/National Rail Guidelines for rail enthusiasts
If you see anything suspicious the British Transport Police can be contacted on their crime telephone number:
0800 405040
Help all us railway enthusiasts get a better name by helping the British Transport Police catch the cable thief's and vandals.
Network Rail Guidelines for rail enthusiasts
ATOC/National Rail Guidelines for rail enthusiasts
If you see anything suspicious the British Transport Police can be contacted on their crime telephone number:
0800 405040
Help all us railway enthusiasts get a better name by helping the British Transport Police catch the cable thief's and vandals.
General views - All photographs © Christopher Ward unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking south
Fig 2 - Looking south
Fig 3 - Looking south
Disclaimer
All information contained within this is site is © Trainspots. The images used on this site remain the property of the original photographer, as credited at the top of the page, and are used with their kind permission.
The information on these pages is supplied for the benefit of railway enthusiasts who carry out a harmless hobby, and through the medium of photography and video, actually promote the railway industry. Railway enthusiasts can also act as eyes and ears against railway vandalism, and as such should surely be encouraged to do so by the supply of adequate information such as is found on this website.
This site has been created to assist railway photographers in their travels around the country. It is based on the personal knowledge and experience. No liability can be held against the web site or its contributions for incorrect information. Trainspots will endeavor to check all information and corrections will be accepted and posted accordingly.
Advice as to the locations general environment is given as a guide on each page. This information is a GUIDE only. ALWAYS be careful with your equipment, Trainspots can not be held responsible for your personal security. Avoid leaving your property on display for all to see, be aware of your surroundings at all times. There are, sadly, people who will not think twice about trying to steal your equipment.
Trainspots DOES NOT condone trespass and none of the information on this site should be taken as a right to trespass. To the best of our knowledge all locations are publicly accessible areas, where they are not contact information will be given to the appropriate authority for permission to be obtained.
The content of this site is created and intended for all age ranges but the content of sites linked from this site are not subject to the same intentions. Trainspots will attempt to check links for validity but as time passes and the site grows this will not always be possible. Broken, or indeed updates to, links should be submitted to the editor for inclusion in the updates. All links external to the Trainspots site are opened in a new browser window.
Please enjoy this guide to UK Railway Photographic Locations.
The information on these pages is supplied for the benefit of railway enthusiasts who carry out a harmless hobby, and through the medium of photography and video, actually promote the railway industry. Railway enthusiasts can also act as eyes and ears against railway vandalism, and as such should surely be encouraged to do so by the supply of adequate information such as is found on this website.
This site has been created to assist railway photographers in their travels around the country. It is based on the personal knowledge and experience. No liability can be held against the web site or its contributions for incorrect information. Trainspots will endeavor to check all information and corrections will be accepted and posted accordingly.
Advice as to the locations general environment is given as a guide on each page. This information is a GUIDE only. ALWAYS be careful with your equipment, Trainspots can not be held responsible for your personal security. Avoid leaving your property on display for all to see, be aware of your surroundings at all times. There are, sadly, people who will not think twice about trying to steal your equipment.
Trainspots DOES NOT condone trespass and none of the information on this site should be taken as a right to trespass. To the best of our knowledge all locations are publicly accessible areas, where they are not contact information will be given to the appropriate authority for permission to be obtained.
The content of this site is created and intended for all age ranges but the content of sites linked from this site are not subject to the same intentions. Trainspots will attempt to check links for validity but as time passes and the site grows this will not always be possible. Broken, or indeed updates to, links should be submitted to the editor for inclusion in the updates. All links external to the Trainspots site are opened in a new browser window.
Please enjoy this guide to UK Railway Photographic Locations.
