FREE COPYsouthdownsview Sharing stories from Britain’s newest National Park May–December 2014

www.southdowns.gov.uk @sdnpa sdnpa

Discover Another Way to enjoy © Cath Harris

Find out how you can sit back and relax while exploring the National Park Page 6

Lewes celebrates 750th battle anniversary © Forestry Commission © Forestry The South Discover how Battle of changed politics forever Downs: Page 19 The return of Full of ratty surprises © John Dominick © John © SDNPA

„„Win a summer’s supply of dog food for your canine friend – page 7 Read about how we are helping water voles „„Win £250 in our photo competition – page 2 return to the river Meon Page 5 www.southdowns.gov.uk @sdnpa sdnpa

Contents Photo competition 2013 winners An inspiring picture capturing the excitement and giddiness of a precious Welcome to the Fingers crossed for our simple joy of two young children childhood moment,” says Comedian National Park...... 3 Biosphere bid!...... 14 running down a hill was chosen as the and actor Hugh Dennis, who lives winner of the South Downs National in the South Downs National Park The National Park in a Nutshell...... 3 Places to stay South Downs Park’s ‘Take nothing but pictures’ and helped to judge the competition. National Park...... 14 Cyclists welcome here!...... 4 photo competition 2013. ‘Jump for “We can all remember the sense of Wings on the Downs...... 15 Joy’, by Rich Howorth, beat more than freedom of running down a hill, barely Water voles back on the river Meon.....5 100 other entries to win first prize of in control and this picture makes me Inspiring wildlife lovers in the South Notes from a volunteer rive warden.....5 £250. “This photo really captures the want to run with them!” Downs National Park...... 16 Discover Another Way to enjoy the Dark skies for the South Downs...... 17 views...... 6 Wonderful wildlife...... 18 Winner Songs of the South Downs...... 7 Lewes celebrates battle anniversary.... 19 Could you be the face of responsible dog walking in the South Downs?...... 7 Supporting communities...... 20 The National Trust in the South Your Britain, fight for it!...... 21 Downs...... 8 If you go down to the woods today..... 22 Events...... 9 Stunning views and secret hideaways – it’s yours to explore! ...... 12

Contact the South Downs National ‘Jump for Joy’ by Rich Howorth, from Park Authority at: South Downs National Park Authority South Downs Centre North Street Second Third Place Place West GU29 9DH Tel 0300 303 1053 Email [email protected] www.southdowns.gov.uk

Photo NEW ‘Heart Smart walkers near Rowlands Castle’ ‘Free as a bird’ by Jon Wigley from Ray West, from Westbourne in Petersfield in Share competition 2014 Tell us your secrets! your Tourist Information Centres The South Downs National Park’s thoughts photo competition is now open and Tourist Information Centres in and around the South Downs National Park this year we’re asking you to share Lewes Want to discuss the South your secrets with us. The theme is Tel: 01273 483448 Tel: 0871 663 0031 Downs National Park ‘Hidden Gems’ and we want to see www.enjoysussex.info www.visiteastbourne.com with others? photos of your favourite places off Whether you live in, work in, visit Petersfield Haslemere the beaten track. Is there a quiet Tel: 01730 268829 Tel: 01428 645425 or are just passionate about the valley where you can always find www.visit-hampshire.co.uk www.haslemere.com/vic National Park, joining our online peace, a café that always has the Arundel Forum is the ideal way to raise best cake, a woodland where you topics, join in discussions, post www.sussexbythesea.com Tel: 01403 211661 can find flowers? www.horshamvisitor.co.uk photos, take part in surveys or The judges will be looking for simply find out about what’s going the best photos that tell the stories www.sussexbythesea.com Littlehampton Look and Sea Visitor Centre on. It only takes a moment to sign of the National Park’s ‘Hidden Brighton Tel. 01903 721866 up and then you’re ready to add Tel: 01273 290337 Gems’. www.lookandsea.co.uk your opinion to an existing item or The winning photographer will www.visitbrighton.com start your own post. Seaford receive £250, second place Tel: 01323 897426 To view the current hot topics prize will be £150 and third www.burgesshill.gov.uk or to start your own discussion, go www.enjoysussex.info place will be £50. to www.southdowns.gov.uk and Find out how to enter at www.visitchichester.org click on ‘Forum’ at the top right of www.southdowns.gov.uk/ www.visitworthing.co.uk the page. photofilmcomp2014

2 THE SOUTH DOWNS NATIONAL PARK www.southdowns.gov.uk @sdnpa sdnpa Welcome to the South Downs National Park The South Downs National Park is a truly special place. Sitting play. You can show your love for the working landscape, so the best possible in one of the busiest parts of the UK, its diverse and inspirational National Park, and help us make sure way to become involved is to explore that it’s here for future generations to its landscape, visit its tourist attractions, landscapes are precious to all who live, work and visit here. enjoy, in lots of easy ways. For example, and, of course, spend your time and Look through this issue of South The South Downs National Park on page 6 you can “Discover Another money in its historic towns and villages. Downs View and you’ll get an idea of Authority works in partnership Way” to enjoy the area by just how much is happening across the with a wide range of organisations, leaving the car at home National Park. Why not organise a landowners, farmers, local businesses, and walking, cycling or star party, or see how many different residents and visitors all of whom are taking the bus and train. butterflies you can discover? If you are committed to caring for these special On pages 9 to 11 you’ll a keen photographer, you can capture landscapes. This year we and our find local events and on some of our hidden gems, and your partners launched the first Partnership page 15 you can find out photograph might feature on the next Management Plan for the National Park. more about some of the edition! To find out more about the This sets out a long-term vision, and National Park’s wonderful story of the National Park, and all it has the many projects through which we butterflies. to offer, visit us at the newly opened are working together to look after its The South Downs South Downs Centre in Midhurst. special qualities. We all have a part to National Park is a living, Trevor Beattie, Margaret Paren, Chief Executive Chair The National Park in a Nutshell Largest 112,000 residents National THIRD Park LARGEST % NATIONAL PARK IN 85 population farmland 18 distinctive landscape types % 4% 91,000 24 grassland volunteer woodland days cover annually % of which 1,200,000 is ancient % poultry MARKET 45 woodland TOWNS 44 km arable 4 21 land of coastline (including 165 the defined 120,000 conservation sheep Sussex 2 MILLION areas Provides water for Heritage people within 5km 1.2 million Coast) people 37% 46,000 % permanent cattle 4.4 28 registered pasture 738 OPEN historic parks ACCESS 46 MILLIONys LAND and gardens visitor da annually 17,000 schools in or nearby pigs 183 parishes 15 % 3,300 km of rights national or 616 local wildlife of way including the scheduled 5,860 sites monuments European listed wildlife sites buildings

SOUTH DOWNS VIEW 2014 3 www.southdowns.gov.uk @sdnpa sdnpa

There’s a sense of freedom that only comes from being out in the open air on a bicycle and one of the best ways to explore the South Downs is on our 1,200 kilometres of public bridleways.

You can discover new places – secret valleys and glorious views – that you’d never reach by car and cover far greater distances than you’d ever manage on foot. No matter your level of fitness or need for adventure the South Downs has something for you. For a family day out Alice Holt offers something for the whole family with a selection of comfortable trails to suit all levels Greenhalf Cyclists © P. including a ‘Beginners Track’ for those just starting out and a family trail exploring further into the forest. Until Cyclists welcome here! September you can also enjoy the Gruffalo Trail and discover panels with themed activities celebrating the 15th To enjoy a day mountain biking east Hampshire. Sculptor Richard Perry farm shops to visit in West Sussex and birthday of the best-selling children’s Amberley train station offers excellent has worked with local communities to Hampshire. Buying local food is a great book. access to the South Downs Way create 20 sculptures that tell the stories way to help support communities and The cycle hire is currently being mid-point from where you can also of the geography, history and wildlife farmers whilst exploring some of the redeveloped so please check availability link with numerous un-marked forest along the route – from a butterfly at distinctive flavours of the National Park. before travelling on 01420 520212 or tracks and Bignor Hill to the west and Bentley Station in the north all of the www.southdowns.gov.uk/foodanddrink the stunning vistas and ancient sites of way to a shipwright’s toolbag at the www.forestrycommission.gov.uk Please don’t give our cyclists a bad Chanctonbury and to Historic Dockyard in Portsmouth. name To take on a big adventure the east. The plethora of bridleways www3.hants.gov.uk/shipwrightsway Most cyclists in the National Park have The South Downs Way is one of the that link with the SDW give an almost To taste local food and drink great manners and show consideration great long-distance mountain bike unlimited number of options for a Discover some great places to taste for other people enjoying the South challenges in the country. Enjoy the full challenging day with plenty of climbs local food and drink on two South Downs. Please don’t let them down by trail over two to five days by staying at and descents. one of the many camp sites, B&Bs, inns Downs National Park food trails full getting our cyclists a bad name. Use and hotels near the route. There are To take in some sculpture of ideas for your common sense; respect other tour operators who offer assistance with Shipwrights Way is a 50 mile long restaurants, users; follow safety guidelines and the baggage transfer, guiding and bike hire. distance route which links villages and , cafes countryside code. towns through beautiful countryside in and www.nationaltrail.co.uk/southdownsway Coming soon Work is underway to upgrade, extend and develop new cycle routes across To hire a bike the National Park. This summer There are bicycles available to hire across the National Park. See the map on pp12–13 for improvements are starting on the locations. 2 Meon Valley Trail and there are plans to extend the Shipwrights Way between 1 Meon Valley Cycle Hire 01329 843679 07778 410532 meonvalley-cyclehire.co.uk Bordon-Whitehill and Liphook. New 2 Meon Springs 01730 823134 meonsprings.com/cycle-hire routes are also being developed to 3 Mobile Cycle service & Hire 0800 321 3303 mobilecycleservice.co.uk help cyclists reach the National Park from train stations. A new cycle path 4 Walk & Cycle 01730 266432 walkandcycle.co.uk/cyclehire at Arundel will link the station, the 5 Southwater Cycles 01403 732561 07436 543529 southwatercycles.com historic town and its attractions to the 6 Community Cycle Hire 07521 961909 hassockscommunitycyclehire.com South Downs Way near Houghton and Amberley. Barnham station will offer 7 South Downs Way Bike Hire 07919 668816 southdownswaybikehire.co.uk a route through Fontwell, Slindon and 8 Seven Sisters Cycle Co 01323 870310 cuckmere-cycle.co.uk ultimately link with Bignor Roman Villa. 9 Let’s Bike Eastbourne 07875 591648 LetsBike-Eastbourne.co.uk The Ouse Valley between Lewes and 10 Cyclelife Shoreham 01273 596368 mailorderbikes.com Newhaven will be the site of a riverside recreational route known as Egrets Way 11 Adur Outdoor Activity Centre 01273 462928 aoac.org.uk linking to the Sustrans coastal route 12 Coastal Cycles 01903 730089 coastalcycles.co.uk NCR2.

4 THE SOUTH DOWNS NATIONAL PARK www.southdowns.gov.uk @sdnpa sdnpa

the coming years. Once completed it will be the largest water vole release Water accomplished in the country. The voles are placed in release pens within the voles back release site for six days, allowing them to get used to their new environment and their new diet. Then, when they are on the ready, they can let themselves out . We are now planning releases for river Meon 2014 at two sites above Titchfield Haven. The volunteers are also busy When walking along your local completing surveys at potential sites for riverbank something is probably the years to come. missing. Water vole numbers Water voles have an important role have declined by 90% over their to play in our river ecosystems. As well former range in the UK. as being part of the food chain they help in distributing plants by eating seeds and This includes the River Meon in the DeJongh © Jonathan collecting tubers such as the yellow flag South Downs National Park where iris which they gather for hoarding over By Elaina Whittaker-Slark, South Downs National Park Ranger, water voles had become extinct in the Western Downs the winter. last 10 years. The river Meon runs for This project would not be possible 49 km, of which 33km are within the Titchfield Haven was chosen as without the dedication and enthusiasm National Park. This chalk stream is a In preparation for releasing water the first release site as its extensive of landowners, angling clubs and river great habitat for the little mammals so voles, habitat suitability surveys are reedbeds and marshes with ditch keepers throughout the catchment of their demise is down to predation by the being completed on the River Meon. the river. As well as the partners and of non-native American mink. A mink control programme has also systems provide a great habitat for course the water vole project volunteers Now, thanks to a joint project led by been set up with local landowners water voles to hide from mink and South Downs National Park, with the with GWCT mink rafts to trap any superb feeding opportunities. Most who have been completing surveys, Environment Agency, Game and Wildlife mink. As the mink are a non-native importantly there had been over a year admin work, releasing water voles Conservation Trust (GWCT), Natural predator against which the water with no mink recorded. and carrying out mink raft repairs and England and Hampshire and IOW voles have no natural defence, this will So far, 450 Water Voles have been installations. Wildlife Trust, the UK’s most rapidly play a critical role in the success of released with further releases to follow declining mammal is making a comeback. the project. along the rest of the river valley in

Notes from a volunteer river warden Rising just south of the village of East Meon, the We currently have 47 rafts in operation, moving river runs west towards West Meon, before turning towards our goal of a raft on every kilometre of due south again towards the coast and entering the the river. This network of rafts is supported by our sea at Titchfield Haven. It is a typical Hampshire team of eight South Downs volunteers. We monitor chalk stream used extensively for fly fishing and progress with bi-monthly phone calls to landowners provides a high quality habitat along the majority and make regular visits to collect, repair and of its length for the likes of the water vole. return rafts. Some of us have also been trained in surveying and water safety, As a volunteer river warden, I am involved in the so we can carry out the water vole project that started in 2009 with the surveys needed to objective of controlling mink from the area in confirm habitat preparation for water vole reintroduction. Local suitability and landowners attended a series of workshops and were to monitor issued with rafts – the primary weapon in the fight progress. against mink. A raft comprises of a large floating platform with a tunnel on the top containing a Chris Page, permanently wet pad of clay which picks up the South Downs footprints of any small mammals passing through Volunteer River the tunnel. When regular inspection of the clay Warden. indicates a mink has passed over the raft, a live trap is then inserted into the tunnel to capture the mink. Chris installing Mink raft © Kimi Stewart

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust Protecting wildlife. Inspiring people. SOUTH DOWNS VIEW 2014 5 www.southdowns.gov.uk @sdnpa sdnpa

of Sussex, showcasing the conservation work of groups who protect and enhance the countryside. Visitors to Discover Another Way this FREE annual event in beautiful Park, just outside Brighton, To enjoy the views within the South Downs National Park borders can get there and back easily by frequent Brighton & Bus services such as the 25 (every 12 mins), 78 (every 15 mins) and 23. From mid-May festival visitors can download a voucher at www.southdowns.gov.uk/ festivalofnature for free travel on the 78 or half-price travel on the 23 and 25*). Explore the Serpent’s Trail The 64 mile Serpent’s Trail which runs between Haslemere in and Petersfield in Hampshire becomes all the more accessible by rail or bus this summer, thanks to an extended bus service between Haslemere and Midhurst which will run seven days

Bignor Roman Villa © More for Less for Villa © More Bignor Roman a week from June. New signposting by Surrey County Council between The South Downs is the UK’s most frequently visited National Park, attracting 46 Haslemere’s mainline rail station into million visits every year, the vast majority by car. the town centre also gives walkers a clearer route to the start of the trail However, the amount of traffic within people showing that it is possible to of the South Downs in less than 90 and makes a car free day out easier the National Park can threaten the enjoy a relaxing day out or short break minutes. You’ll appreciate our breath- than ever. very special qualities that attract people in the National Park whilst leaving your taking views even more from the top For more info about the Serpents in the first place, as well as causing car behind. deck of the bus or gazing out of a train Trail and to get information on the congestion at some sites. We’ve worked with transport window when you don’t have to focus launch walk that’s planned for 13 June The South Downs National Park operators, local businesses and visitor on the road. And if you don’t have to follow @Explore on Twitter Authority has been running a campaign attractions to create seasonal offers drive home why not stop and savour Explore the Lewes area by bus funded through the Department for and incentives for those arriving by the delights of one of our traditional „„Route 131 will operate from Transport since 2013 showing how public transport. Frequent bus services English pubs? Hassocks to Lewes via , easy it is to ‘Discover Another Way’ run across the area and we’ve enhanced Plan your visit with our new Plumpton and Offham (CTLA) to explore the area. Through our weekend and bank holiday services interactive Discovery Map „„Route 132 will link Lewes and newspaper articles, inspiring Youtube to make it even easier to go by bus. To help you plan and enjoy a trip in videos, conversations with our social Regular train services from Newhaven serving and the South Downs, we have launched media fans, we’ve reached millions of mean that you can be in the heart Youth Hostel and Café. interactive map linking things to do and (CTLA) see with car-free ways of getting there. „„Route 121 will have a Sunday service The Discovery Map contains walking between , and Lewes and cycling routes, key landmarks including links to the and details of attractions across the at Sheffield Park Station (Compass National Park. It also includes a journey Travel) planning tool which includes public transport information and timetables. „„Route 123 travels between The map is a growing resource that is Newhaven and Lewes via , currently in its early stages. We plan to and Kingston (Compass add more landmarks and attractions. Travel) You can view the map online by „„Route 25 travels between going to www.southdowns.gov.uk/ and Lewes via , Firle and gettingaround and clicking on the Gyndebourne (Cuckmere Buses) ‘Discovery Map’ icon. For more information about times Visit Sussex Festival of Nature and dates of operation contact the and avoid the queues – go by bus bus operators: and save money! „„CTLA on 01273 517332 or visit their On Sunday 22 June 2014 why not website www.ctla.org.uk take advantage of the chance to visit „„Compass Travel on 01903 690025 or the wonderful, family-friendly Sussex www.compass-travel.co.uk Festival of Nature, which celebrates the „„Cuckmere Buses on 01323 870920 Hinton Ampner © More for Less for Ampner © More Hinton diverse habitats and unique landscapes or www.cuckmerebuses.org.uk

6 THE SOUTH DOWNS NATIONAL PARK www.southdowns.gov.uk @sdnpa sdnpa

Arthur Beckett, who was one of Burpham Village Hall and a selection of the founders of the South Downs these are now available on CD, which Songs of Society in 1923, was a great collector of comes with a booklet of song lyrics local songs. But, while many delighted together with snippets of history from the South and moved him, there were some he when they were originally sung. disapproved of and refused to record. Many of the workshop singers have Fortunately others saved them and continued singing together since the Downs Emily and the Hares, living in less project ended and have formed a group Heritage comes in many prudish times, include some of these called the South Downs Folk Singers. ‘licentious’ songs in their repertoire. You can find out more about them at different forms, some easier to At the end of each course the southdownsfolksingers.blogspot. capture than others. workshop groups were recorded com singing ‘live’ to an invited audience at Artists immortalise sights, passing them ages and background and also explored down through generations. But how do the history folklore and literature of you pass down the sound of a culture? the area. Over the two years more than This was the aim of ‘South Downs 200 people took part in the workshops, Join the South Downs Society Songs’ a project dreamed up by the most of whom had never sung The South Downs Society aims With individual membership for South Downs Society to save the traditional songs before. Indeed, many to conserve the landscape of the only £23 per year, joining yourself historic folk tunes of the National Park had never sung at all – except perhaps South Downs for now and for future or buying as a gift for someone by teaching them to new generations in the shower! generations. We help our members, will help to ensure the work of the and then capturing the results in a new “A big objective of the project was along with their families, to enjoy Society continues and the Downs are recording. to bring in people unfamiliar with the Downs by offering over 200 protected to be peacefully enjoyed From September 2011 to March traditional singing”, explains Chris Hare, organised walks, numerous events by all. 2013, Emily and the Hares, a traditional who ran the project. “We wanted to and talks, a growing local discount Visit www.southdownssociety. singing trio, ran workshops across bring in new people for whom singing scheme and regular updates on our org.uk or call 01798 875073 to Sussex and Hampshire. The hugely unaccompanied folk songs would be a work. become a member. popular sessions attracted people of all wholly new experience.”

business – and not leaving full bags of positive rewards for the winning canine waste hanging off tree branches! companions. Could you Take the Lead also aims to promote Take the Lead has the support positive attitudes towards responsible of the Kennel Club in celebrating be the dog walkers in the countryside. So to the dedication and commitment of kick the campaign off, we are launching responsible dog owners in the South face of a competition to search for walkers and Downs National Park: their dogs from the National Park and Caroline Kisko, Communications surrounding areas to be the faces of Director, said: responsible ‘Take the Lead’. ‘The Kennel Club campaigns to You simply need to submit a photo promote responsible dog ownership dog walking and a paragraph via the South Downs and works with local authorities National Park Authority’s Facebook by helping them organise fun and page telling us how and why you are educational dog event days, where the in the South ‘taking the lead’ this spring. Winning public can learn about all aspects of dogs and their owners will then be responsible dog ownership including Downs? invited to be film stars and take part access for dog walkers, cleaning up after in a short documentary style film. The your dog and the importance of training Dog-walking is more popular film will show owners and their pets and microchipping. © John McFarlane/Forestry Commission than ever. enjoying the beautiful South Downs and “It is really good news that South talking about being a responsible dog Downs National Park Authority is reputations of responsible dog owners walker when out and about. proactively encouraging responsible One of the main reasons people walk and their dogs are unfairly damaged by The winner will receive a dog ownership. The ‘Take the Lead’ regularly is to exercise their dog. We the actions of a minority. professional pet photoshoot and campaign is a fantastic opportunity just love getting out into the fresh air photobook containing their favourite for local dog owners to get invaluable Take the Lead with our canine companions to enjoy images from the shoot worth £200. We information on how best to care for We are launching a new campaign to it all. However, dogs with irresponsible are also delighted to be working with their dog, and we would recommend encourage responsible dog walking owners can disrupt other dog walkers, campaign partner and ethical dog food anyone who owns a dog, or is indeed on Sunday 11 May at National Trust’s farmers and visitors. manufacturer, Arden Grange, which thinking of getting a dog, to attend the Woolbeding Dog Fun Day. Dog walkers New research by the South Downs are based locally in Hassocks. Arden launch on May 11th.’ and owners are being asked to Take National Park Authority shows that Grange agrees that it is so important For more information about the Lead this spring by putting their over 90% of dog walkers surveyed in to walk dogs responsibly and respect Take the Lead, the Kennel Club’s dog on a lead around livestock – a the area are frustrated for themselves the land, wildlife, livestock and also Good Citizen Dog Scheme and to particular issue around lambing season, or others when they see people not other walkers. So, they will be providing enter the competition including full being aware of sensitive wildlife such picking up after their pet or having the food for the winning dogs to see terms and conditions visit www. as ground nesting birds, and picking dog under proper control. And over them through until the autumn. They southdowns.gov.uk/takethelead from 11 up after their dogs have done their 95% of those surveyed believe that will also be providing lots of treats as May 2014.

SOUTH DOWNS VIEW 2014 7 www.southdowns.gov.uk @sdnpa sdnpa

return 185 acres of arable fields to woodland – that’s an area the size of 105 football pitches. Much of Northwood was felled for The National timber during the First World War and then ploughed up to grow crops during the Second World War. Restoring the Trust in the woodlands will increase public access and allow wildlife such as purple emperor butterflies, dormice and bats South Downs to thrive. Over the next ten years woodland glades and new rides will be created but in the meantime, with more THE WILD WEST TO THE FAR EAST than 25 miles of public rights of way to enjoy on foot, horseback or bicycle, the estate is well worth a visit. More ideas for National Trust days out in the South Downs National Park House is a vast 17th- century mansion set in a beautiful deer park, landscaped by ‘Capability’ Brown and immortalised in Turner’s paintings. Inside, the house contains the National Trust’s finest collection of pictures, with works by Turner, Van Dyck, Reynolds and Blake. Uppark was rescued after a major The National Trust is well-known for safeguarding important Despite, or perhaps because, of fire in 1989 and houses an elegant historic buildings across the country. In fact, the first building this Birling Gap is a great place to Georgian interior with a famous Grand the charity ever bought – 14th century Alfriston Clergy House visit. This ever-changing corner of the Tour collection. The complete servants’ National Park is brought to life in a quarters in the basement are shown as – lies in the South Downs National Park. But did you know that new exhibition, supported by the South they were in Victorian days when H. G. it also cares for coastlines, forests, woods, beaches, farmland, Downs National Park Authority. It has Wells’ mother was housekeeper. archaeological remains and nature reserves? a sensory garden created by National Described by John Constable as ‘the Park Volunteer Rangers and makes a grandest view in the world’, Devil’s Today about 16,000 acres of land in the the National Park is a living, changing great starting point to explore along Dyke is an easy bus ride from Brighton. National Park is owned and managed by landscape. In a normal year about the cliffs and perhaps further afield The valley is the longest, deepest and the National Trust. This includes: Black one metre of cliff would fall away but, along the South Downs Way. widest ‘dry valley’ in the UK and is rich Down, the highest point in the South following winter storms, more than six ‘The Rise of Northwood’ at in wildlife and a great spot to enjoy wild Downs, the iconic white cliffs of Seven times this amount has gone this year. Slindon flowers and colourful insects. A short Sisters and Birling Gap, and Cissbury After damage to the steps, the beach The South Downs National Park is also walk from the far end of the valley lies Ring, the second largest Iron Age fort in has been closed since January but home to the National Trust’s biggest Saddlescome Farm, a hamlet dating back the country. should be open again in April. Much ever woodland restoration scheme to the . The farm itself of the shingle which normally covers From the Downs to the sea on the Slindon Estate in West Sussex. only opens a few days a year but you the beach has been dragged out to sea Dramatic storms over the last winter Named ‘The Rise of Northwood’, after can visit the donkey wheel and enjoy although this should gradually return have had a major impact on Birling the ancient oak and beech trees that a cup of tea in the café before walking with more gentle summer weather. Gap’s white cliffs, showing vividly how once stood here, the project aims to back up the hill to catch the bus home.

From the West... Park © SDNPA Petworth ...to the East © SDNPA Birling Gap

8 THE SOUTH DOWNS NATIONAL PARK www.southdowns.gov.uk @sdnpa sdnpa

17 MAY – 24 AUGUST 25 MAY, 1PM Festival Opera Remarkable Rockpools Glyndebourne, Lewes, , BN8 5UU National Trust www.glyndebourne.com Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters Events 01273 813813 Birling Gap, East Dean Eastbourne BN20 0AB Your guide to what’s happening across the South 18 MAY, 11AM – 4PM Tickets: child £3.00 booking 01323 423197 Brinsbury Show and Country Fair www.nationaltrust.org.uk/birling-gap-and-the- Downs National Park this summer Brinsbury Campus, , West Sussex, seven-sisters/ RH20 1DL 26, 27 AND 29 MAY For full details of these and many more events, visit our website at Tickets: £5.00 per person (under 14s free) Big Bug Week – Creative Creatures www.southdowns.gov.uk/enjoying/events. www.chichester.ac.uk National Trust 01243 786321 Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters Please note that entrance charges may apply to the events listed and that events may be 20 MAY, 11.30 Birling Gap, East Dean Eastbourne BN20 0AB subject to change or cancellation without notice. Garden Tour Tickets: all tickets £1.00 National Trust www.nationaltrust.org.uk/birling-gap-and-the- Alfriston Clergy House, , East Sussex seven-sisters/ 01323 423197 MAY 3 MAY TO 8 JUNE, 10AM – 6PM Free event (normal admission charges apply) Our South Downs Exhibition www.nationaltrust.org.uk/alfriston-clergy-house/ 6 DATES BETWEEN 26 AND 28 MAY 3 MAY, 4 – 7AM Towner, Devonshire Park, College Road, 01323 871961 Buglins Dawn Chorus Eastbourne BN21 4JJ. 21 MAY, 7.30 – 10.30PM National Trust Petworth House and Park, Petworth, RSPB , Upperton Barn Visitor Open Tues – Sun, and Bank Holidays, free entry. An Evening with Bats West Sussex, GU28 0AE Centre, , Pulborough, West Sussex, 10 MAY, 10AM – 5PM RSPB Pulborough Brooks, Upperton Barn Visitor Tickets: Child £5 (Must be accompanied by an RH20 2EL Plumpton College Open Day Centre, Wiggonholt, Pulborough, West Sussex, adult) Tickets: £25 per person (£20 for RSPB Members) Plumpton College, Ditchling Road, Plumpton, nr. RH20 2EL www.nationaltrust.org.uk/petworth-house Booking Essential Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 3AE Tickets: £15 per person (£10 for RSPB Members) 01798 342207 www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/p/ Tickets: Adults £5, Senior Citizens £3, Free entry to Booking Essential 6 DATES BETWEEN 26 AND 31 MAY pulboroughbrooks/ under 16s www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/p/ Spring Dig 01798 875851 www.plumpton.ac.uk pulboroughbrooks/ National Trust Petworth House and Park, Petworth, 3 MAY 01273 890454 01798 875851 West Sussex, GU28 0AE Beltain: Burning the Wicker Man 11 MAY, 11AM – 5PM 21 MAY, 7:15PM No additional charges Butser Ancient Farm, Chalton Lane, Chalton, South Downs Green Fair Petworth Park 10k www.nationaltrust.org.uk/petworth-house Waterlooville, Hants, PO8 0BG Sustainability Centre, Droxford Road, East Meon, National Trust Petworth House and Park, Petworth, 01798 342207 Pre-booking price: adults: £13.00 child £7.00 Hampshire, GU32 1HR West Sussex, GU28 0AE 27 MAY, 10.30AM – 12.30PM Tickets: price after 3pm, May 2nd: adults £15.00 Tickets: Adults £7, Child £4 Per Item £14 (Runners entry) Where is Stickman? child £10.00 www.sustainability-centre.org www.nationaltrust.org.uk/petworth-house www.butserancientfarm.co.uk 01730 823166 01798 342207 Seven Sisters Country Park, Exceat, Seaford, East 02392 598838 11 MAY, 10AM – 4PM 22 MAY, 8.30PM Sussex, BN25 4AD 3 MAY, 6.20 – 8 PM Woolbeding Dog Fun Day Evening Bat Walk Wildlife Trust Members:£5 per child, £2.50 per Medieval Music National Trust, Woolbeding Parkland, West Sussex, WWT Arundel Wetland Centre adult/Non-Members: £7.00 per child, £3.50 per St Mary Magdalene and St Denys Church, Market GU29 9RR Mill Road Arundel West Sussex BN18 9PB adult. Suitable for child aged 5-7 yrs. Booking Square, Midhurst, West Sussex, GU29 9NJ Free Entry, £1 charge to enter dog show. Dogs on Tickets: £12 per person Essential. Tickets: £7.50 Leads Welcome. www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/arundel/ www.sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/whatson 01730 815356 [email protected] 01903 883355 01273 497561 3 – 4 MAY 10AM- 4.00PM 01730 816638 23 MAY, 7.30 – 9.30PM 27 MAY, 10:30AM – 12 NOON Medieval Fair, Midhurst 12 MAY, 5:30AM An Evening in the Woods at Seven Magic Forest in a Box Midhurst Old Market Square, Midhurst, West Cameras at Dawn Sisters Country Park Forestry Commission, Alice Holt Forest, Near , GU10 4LS Sussex National Trust, Uppark House and Garden, South Sussex Wildlife Trust Tickets: £6 FREE EVENT Harting, Petersfield, West Sussex, GU31 5QR Seven Sisters Country Park, Exceat, Seaford, East www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/INFD-9E4GXB 3 MAY, 8.30PM Tickets: £15 Sussex, BN25 4AD 01483 326266 Ghost Walk www.nationaltrust.org.uk/uppark/ Wildlife Trust Members:£5 per child, £2.50 per Cowdray Ruins 01730 825 415 adult/Non-Members: £7.00 per child, £3.50 per 28 MAY, 2 – 4PM Midhurst 16 MAY, 8AM adult. Booking Essential. The Big Bug Hunt Tickets: £7.50 must be booked in advance Spring Photography Workshop www.sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/whatson RSPB Pulborough Brooks, Upperton Barn Visitor 01730 8148640 National Trust, Uppark House and Garden, South 01273 497561 Centre, Wiggonholt, Pulborough, West Sussex, 01730 814864 Harting, Petersfield, West Sussex, GU31 5QR 24 MAY – 1 JUNE, 10:30AM – 5:15PM RH20 2EL www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/p/ 4 AND 5 MAY Tickets: £40 Wild at White’s African Safari – Family www.nationaltrust.org.uk/uppark/ pulboroughbrooks/ Food and Spring Countryside Show Fun 01798 875851 & Downland Open Air Museum, Chichester, 01730 825 415 Gilbert White’s House & Garden and The Oates 4 DATES BETWEEN 28 AND 30 MAY PO18 0EU 16 MAY, 5:30PM Collection, Selborne, Hampshire, GU34 3JH www.wealddown.co.uk/Events-Information/Food- Night at the Museum, Tickets: Adult £9, Concessions £8, Child £3.50, Big bug week – the big sweep at Birling Spring-Countryside-Show National Trust, Petworth House and Park, Under-5s free. www.gilbertwhiteshouse.org Gap 01243 811363 Petworth, West Sussex, GU28 0AE 01420 511275 National Trust 5 MAY, 8AM – 10AM Tickets: Adult £5, Child £10 (Must be accompanied 24 – 30 MAY, ALL DAY Birling Gap, East Dean Eastbourne BN20 0AB The Not Quite Dawn Chorus by an adult) www.nationaltrust.org.uk/petworth- The Big Wild Stocktake Tickets: child £3.00 booking 01323 423197 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/birling-gap-and-the- RSPB Pulborough Brooks, Upperton Barn Visitor house RSPB Pulborough Brooks, Upperton Barn Visitor seven-sisters/ Centre, Wiggonholt, Pulborough, West Sussex, 01798 342207 Centre, Wiggonholt, Pulborough, West Sussex, 01323 423197 RH20 2EL 16 – 26 MAY RH20 2EL Tickets: £8 per person (£4 for RSPB Members) Charleston Literary Festival Tickets: £2 per person or £5 per family 29 MAY AND 30 MAY, 10:30AM www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/p/ Charleston, Firle, Lewes, East Sussex, BN8 6LL www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/p/ Wild! In the Park pulboroughbrooks/ www.charleston.org.uk/whats-on/festivals/the- pulboroughbrooks/ National Trust Petworth House and Park, Petworth, 01798 875851 charleston-festival/events/ 01798 875851 West Sussex, GU28 0AE 3 – 18 MAY Information Line: 01323 811265 24 – 28 MAY, 8.30 – 10.30PM Tickets: Child £2 (Must be accompanied by an Battle of Lewes 750 (Anniversary of Booking: 01273 709709 The Big Wild Stocktake-After Dark! adult) www.nationaltrust.org.uk/petworth-house 01798 342207 the Battle) 16 MAY 7.30PM AND 17 MAY-3.00PM RSPB Pulborough Brooks, Upperton Barn Visitor Live music, drama, procession – see article on page Theatre in the Roundhouse: Centre, Wiggonholt, Pulborough, West Sussex, 29 MAY AND 30 MAY, 10:30AM 19 ‘Lewes celebrates battle anniversary’ for more Tales RH20 2EL Pond Life details Butser Ancient Farm, Chalton Lane, Chalton, Tickets: £10 per person (£5 for RSPB Members and National Trust Petworth House and Park, Petworth, Lewes, East Sussex Waterlooville, Hants, PO8 0BG half price for child £5/£2) Booking Essential. Torch West Sussex, GU28 0AE sussexpast.co.uk/battle-of-lewes-main/battle-of- Tickets: Adults £10.00, Under 18 £5.00, from and Insect Repellent Recommended. Tickets: Child £2 (Must be accompanied by an lewes-750-may-2014 www.lionandunicornplayers.co.uk tel 01730 www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/p/ adult) 01273 486260 264458www.butserancientfarm.co.uk pulboroughbrooks/ www.nationaltrust.org.uk/petworth-house 02392 598838 01798 875851 01798 342207

SOUTH DOWNS VIEW 2014 9 www.southdowns.gov.uk @sdnpa sdnpa

29 MAY, 2 – 4PM 10 JUNE, 6PM 22 JUNE, 12 NOON 4 JULY, 8.30 – 10.30PM Campfire and Food Wolstonbury Orchid Safari Remarkable Rockpools National Moth Night- After Dark! Forestry Commission, Alice Holt Forest, Near National Trust, Clayton recreation ground off A273. National Trust RSPB Pulborough Brooks, Upperton Barn Visitor Farnham, GU10 4LS Nearest postcode BN6 9PD Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters Centre, Wiggonholt, Pulborough, West Sussex, Tickets: £8 Tickets: £3 Birling Gap, East Dean Eastbourne BN20 0AB RH20 2EL www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/INFD-9E4G9H www.nationaltrust.org.uk/devils-dyke Tickets: Child £3.00 booking 01323 423197 Tickets: £10 per person (£5 for RSPB Members and 01483 326266 01273 857712 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/birling-gap-and-the- half price for child £5/£2) Booking Essential, Torch 30 MAY, 11AM – 2PM 13 JUNE seven-sisters/ and Insect Repellent Recommended. Marvellous Moths Sunset Party in the Park 23 JUNE, 10:30 – 11:30AM AND 1:30 –2:30PM www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/p/ RSPB Pulborough Brooks, Upperton Barn Visitor Marwell Wildlife, Colden Common, Winchester, Creepy Crawlies and Clay Critters pulboroughbrooks/ Centre, Wiggonholt, Pulborough, West Sussex, Hampshiret, SO21 1JM Forestry Commission, Alice Holt Forest, Near 01798 875851 RH20 2EL www.marwell.org.uk Farnham, GU10 4LS 5 JULY, 8 AM www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/p/ 01962 777511 Tickets: £4.00 Moth Morning pulboroughbrooks/ 14 AND 15 JUNE, 10:30AM, 5PM www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/INFD-9E4H2W WWT Arundel Wetland Centre 01798 875851 Unusual Plants Fair 01483 326266 Mill Road Arundel West Sussex BN18 9PB 31 MAY, 1PM UNTIL DUSK Gilbert White’s House & Garden and The Oates 26 JUNE, 4:30 – 6PM Tickets: £12 per person Festival in the Park Collection, Selborne, Hampshire, GU34 3JH Dragonfly Safari www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/arundel/ National Trust Heritage Garden and Plant Fair only Adult Tickets: Forestry Commission, Alice Holt Forest, Near 01903 883355 Woolbediing Parkland West Sussex, GU29 9RR £6.50 Child £2.50 under 5s free Farnham, GU10 4LS 5 JULY Advance tickets adults £5.00 child £3.00 on the day For Museum, Garden and Plant Fair Adult £9, Tickets: £6 Sunset Party in the Park adults £8.00 child £4.00 Concessions £8, Child £3.50, Under-5s free. www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/INFD-9E4H94 Marwell Wildlife, Colden Common, Winchester, Tickets: from www.heardandseen.com/events or www.gilbertwhiteshouse.org 01483 326266 Hant, SO21 1JM Simon on 07580 105571 01420 511275 28 AND 30 JUNE, 7.45PM www.marwell.org.uk [email protected] 15 JUNE 2014, 11AM The Pergola Open Air Theatre: 01962 777511 Father’s Day at Uppark Summer Day’s Dream by J. B. Priestley 5 JULY, 10:30AM JUNE National Trust, Uppark House and Garden, South West Dean College, Near Chichester, West Sussex, Tree Walk on Newtimber Hill Harting, Petersfield, West Sussex, GU31 5QR PO18 0QZ National Trust, the roundabout just off the A23 1 JUNE Normal admission charges apply Tickets: £10 available at the gate on the night or (N) slip road past Pyecombe which leads on to the Milland Rural Fair www.nationaltrust.org.uk/uppark/ from Festival of Chichester Box Office. Picnics A281 (to ) Milland Recreation Ground, Road, Milland, 01730 825 415 Welcome. Tickets: £3 West Sussex, GU30 7NB 17 JUNE, 10.30AM – 4.30PM www.westdean.org.uk www.nationaltrust.org.uk/devils-dyke Tickets: Adult £5 in advance £7.00 on the day Child NGS day and garden tour 01243 811301 01273 857712 £2.50 in advance, £3.00 on the day Family (2 adults National Trust 27 – 29 JUNE 5 – 6 JULY, 10.30AM – 4PM +2 child) £14 in advance, £16.00 on the day. Alfriston Clergy House, Polegate, East Sussex Raven Tor Re-Enactment Group: Advance tickets available from Milland Stores Lewes Chamber Music Festival Free event (normal admission charges apply) &Café and The Rising Sun Lewes and Firle, East Sussex Gladiatorial Training and Combat, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/alfriston-clergy-house/ www.millandruralfair.com www.leweschambermusicfestival.com Roman Falconry and Living History things-to-see-and-do/events/ 01428 741403 (01273)479865 Demonstrations 01323 871961 4 JUNE, 10AM – 2 PM Bignor Roman Villa, Bignor, Pulborough, West 18 JUNE, 10AM – 4.30PM JULY Sussex, RH20 1PH Photography in the Garden Bloomsbury in a day National Trust Tickets: Adults: £6, Senior Citizen/Students: £4.50, National Trust THOROUGHOUT JULY, 10:30AM, 5:15PM Monk’s House, Rodmell, Lewes East Sussex Child under 16: £3.50 Monk’s House, Rodmell, Lewes East Sussex BN7 Wild at White’s Teddy Bear’s Picnic – BN7 3HF www.bignorromanvilla.co.uk/ 3HF Tickets: £30 booking 0844 249 1895 Family Fun 01798 869259 Tickets: £40 booking 0844 249 1895 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/monks-house/ Gilbert White’s House & Garden and The Oates 12 JULY, 10 – 12PM OR 1PM – 3PM www.nationaltrust.org.uk/monks-house/ 01273 474760 Collection, Selborne, Hampshire, GU34 3JH Woodcraft: Spoon and String 01273 474760 Tickets: Adult £9, Concessions £8, Child £3.50, 5 JUNE, 8.45AM – 10.30PM WWT Arundel Wetland Centre 19 JUNE, 8.30 – 10.30PM Under-5s free. Child with Teddy Bear and Mill Road Arundel West Sussex BN18 9PB Three Churs and a Clap! Nightjar Evening at Iping Common accompanying adult go FREE. RSPB Pulborough Brooks, Upperton Barn Visitor Tickets: £12 per person Sussex Wildlife Trust www.gilbertwhiteshouse.org Centre, Wiggonholt, Pulborough, West Sussex, www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/arundel/ www.sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/whatson 01420 511275 RH20 2EL 01903 883355 Contact Michael Blencowe: (07827) 830891 2, 4, 8 AND 10 JULY, 7.45PM Tickets: £12 per person (£8 for RSPB Members) 12 – 13 JULY, 10AM – 5PM Booking Essential, Torch and Insect Repellent 20 JUNE, 4, 18 JULY, 1 AUGUST, 7.30AM – 8.30PM The Pergola Open Air Theatre: South Downs Wood Fair and Country Recommended National Trust Summer Day’s Dream by J. B. Priestley Show www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/p/ A summer series of talks to enhance your West Dean College, Near Chichester, West Sussex, Queen Elizabeth Country Park, Gravel Hill, pulboroughbrooks/ knowledge of PO18 0QZ Horndean, Hampshire, PO8 0QE 01798 875851 Monk’s House, Rodmell, Lewes East Sussex BN7 Tickets: £10 available at the gate on the night or Tickets: Adults £8, Senior Citizens £7, under 16s from Festival of Chichester Box Office. Picnics 5 – 7 JUNE 3HF Free Tickets: £10 booking 0844 249 1895 Welcome. www.woodlandcrafts.co.uk/south-downs-wood-fair- South of England Show www.nationaltrust.org.uk/monks-house/ www.westdean.org.uk South of England Showground, Ardingly, West and-country-show 01273 474760 01243 811301 Sussex, RH17 6TL 01243 641306 Tickets: Adult £20, Child under 16 £7, Senior 21 – 22 JUNE, 10AM – 5PM 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 AND 11 JULY, 7.45PM 14 JULY, 10:30AM – 12PM AND 2 – 3:30PM Citizens £18 West’s Wood Fair The Pergola Open Air Theatre: Babes in the Wood Summer Special www.seas.org.uk New Barn, Newhouse Lane, East Dean nr. The Comedy of Errors by William Forestry Commission, Alice Holt Forest, Near 01444 892700 Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 0NJ Shakespeare Farnham, GU10 4LS 6 – 7 JUNE, 10.30AM – 4PM Tickets: Adult £6, Child under 16 Free West Dean College, Near Chichester, West Sussex, Tickets: £6 www.westswoodfair.co.uk PO18 0QZ www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/INFD-9E4HXV Raven Tor Re-Enactment Group: 01243 811697 Gladiatorial Training and Combat, Tickets: £10 available at the gate on the night or 01483 326266 22 JUNE PM from Festival of Chichester Box Office. Picnics Roman Falconry and Living History 15 JULY, 11.30AM Fairy Festival Welcome. Demonstrations Garden Tour Butser Ancient Farm, Chalton Lane, Chalton, www.westdean.org.uk National Trust Bignor Roman Villa, Bignor, Pulborough, West Waterlooville, Hants, PO8 0BG 01243 811301 Sussex, RH20 1PH Alfriston Clergy House, Polegate, East Sussex Normal entry price 4 – 6 JULY Tickets: Adults: £6, Senior Citizen/Students: £4.50, Free event (normal admission charges apply) www.butserancientfarm.co.uk Love Supreme Festival (Jazz Festival) www.nationaltrust.org.uk/alfriston-clergy-house/ Child under 16: £3.50 02392 598838 www.bignorromanvilla.co.uk/ Glynde Place, Glynde, East Sussex, BN8 6SX 01323 871961 01798 869259 22 JUNE, 11AM – 5PM www.lovesupremefestival.org 16 JULY, 6:30PM Sussex Festival of Nature 7 AND 8 JUNE An Evening in the Garden Stanmer Park, Brighton Horses at War – Remembering WW1 & National Trust, Uppark House and Garden, South FREE EVENT for details of how to travel there for Harting, Petersfield, West Sussex, GU31 5QR WW2 free see page 6 ’Discover another Way to enjoy the Tickets: £30 Weald & Downland Open Air Museum, Chichester, Views’ www.nationaltrust.org.uk/uppark/ PO18 0EU www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/content/leisure-and- 01730 825 415 www.wealddown.co.uk/Events-Information/Heavy- libraries/sussex-festival-nature Horse-Show 01243 811363 10 THE SOUTH DOWNS NATIONAL PARK www.southdowns.gov.uk @sdnpa sdnpa

19 JULY AUGUST 23 – 25 AUGUST, 10AM – 5PM 27 SEPTEMBER, 10AM – 4PM Big Camping Weekend South Downs Show Community Apple Press Day National Trust, Blackdown, Haslemere, Surrey, 2 AUGUST Queen Elizabeth Country Park, Gravel Hill, National Trust GU27 Cave Painting Workshop (half-day) Horndean, Waterlooville, Hampshire, PO8 0QE Swan Barn Farm, Collards Lane, Haslemere, Tickets: From £10 Butser Ancient Farm, Chalton Lane, Chalton, Tickets: Adults £7, Under 16s £4, under 3s FREE, GU27 2HU www.nationaltrust.org.uk/black-down/ Waterlooville, Hants, PO8 0BG Family Rates Available Tickets: Admission Free 01428 652359 www.butserancientfarm.co.uk www.southdownsshow.co.uk www.nationaltrust.org.uk 19 JULY, 10.30AM – 3.30PM 02392 598838 02392 595040 01428 652359 Family Open Day at Frog Firle farm 2, 3 AUGUST, 10:30AM – 5:15PM 24 AUGUST, 7:30PM National Trust Gilbert’s Games & Country Fair Open Air Theatre Production – Much OCTOBER Frog Firle Farm, East Suusex Gilbert White’s House & Garden and The Oates Ado About Nothing 4 – 5 OCTOBER BN26 5TT Collection, Selborne, Hampshire, GU34 3JH Gilbert White’s House & Garden and The Oates Tickets: Free entry Tickets: Adults £7.50, Child £2.50, Under-5s go free. Collection, Selborne, Hampshire, GU34 3JH Grow! Cook ! Eat! www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cuckmere-valley/visitor- www.gilbertwhiteshouse.org Tickets: Adult £14, Child & Students £10, Family West Dean Gardens information/ 01420 511275 £42, 10% Discount for Parties of 10 or More. West Dean College, Near Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 0QZ 01323 423197 6 AUGUST, 8 – 10PM www.gilbertwhiteshouse.org 20 JULY, 2 – 4PM 01420 511275 www.westdean.org.uk Bats in the belfry at Slindon 01243 811301 The Big Butterfly Count National Trust, St. Mary’s C of E Church, Dyers 25 AUGUST, 12 NOON ONWARDS 25 OCTOBER, 9AM START RSPB Pulborough Brooks, Upperton Barn Visitor Lane, Slindon, BN18 0RE MADhurst Festival Parade Centre, Wiggonholt, Pulborough, West Sussex, Tickets: Adult £3, Child £2 North Street, Midhurst, West Sussex Marathon RH20 2EL www.nationaltrust.org.uk/slindon-estate/ www.madhurst.co.uk Bedes School, Dukes Drive, Eastbourne, East Tickets: £8 per person (£4 for RSPB Members) 01243 814730 01730 816953 Sussex, BN20 7XL www.visiteastbourne.com/events/ www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/p/ 8 – 10 AUGUST 30 AUGUST, 7 – 9PM pulboroughbrooks/ BeachyHeadMarathon.aspx Chilli Fiesta (with camping) Bat evening 01798 875851 25 OCTOBER, 2 NOVEMBER West Dean College, Near Chichester, West Sussex, Alfriston Clergy House, Polegate, East Sussex 20 JULY PO18 0QZ Tickets: Adult £5.00 child £3.50 booking: Halloween Festival Rare and Traditional Breeds Show Tickets: £15 01323 871961 Marwell Wildlife, Colden Common, Winchester, Weald & Downland Open Air Museum, Chichester, www.westdean.org.uk www.nationaltrust.org.uk/alfriston-clergy-house/ Hant, SO21 1JM PO18 0EU 01243 811301 things-to-see-and-do/events/ www.marwell.org.uk 01962 777511 www.wealddown.co.uk/Events-Information/Rare- 9 – 10 AUGUST, 4PM SATURDAY – 4PM SUNDAY 01323 871961 Breed-Show 30 – 31 AUGUST, 11AM – 4PM 29 OCTOBER 01243 811363 Bioblitz QECP Queen Elizabeth Country Park, Gravel Hill, Secrets of the Heath Samhain Afternoon for Child 22 AND 24 JULY, 8PM Horndean, Waterlooville, Hampshire, PO8 0QE Petersfield Heath, Petersfield, Hampshire Butser Ancient Farm, Chalton Lane, Chalton, The Chilingirian Quartet in Concert www3.hants.gov.uk/qecp FREE EVENT Waterlooville, Hants, PO8 0BG West Dean College, Near Chichester, West Sussex, 02392 595040 www.southdowns.gov.uk/secretsoftheheath www.butserancientfarm.co.uk 02392 598838 PO18 0QZ 9 – 10 AUGUST Tickets: £15 27 – 31 OCTOBER Raven Tor Re-Enactment Group: SEPTEMBER www.westdean.org.uk Spooky Halloween: activities in the Gladiatorial Training and Combat, 01243 811301 6 SEPTEMBER, 9AM – 6PM gardens Roman Falconry and Living History 25 JULY Alresford Show West Dean Gardens, West Dean College, Near ‘Do It’ Family Archaeology Day Demonstrations Tichborne Park, Hampshire Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 0QZ Butser Ancient Farm, Chalton Lane, Chalton, Bignor Roman Villa, Bignor, Pulborough, West Tickets: Adults £15, Concessions £11, Child 14 and www.westdean.org.uk Waterlooville, Hants, PO8 0BG Sussex, RH20 1PH Under, FREE 01243 811301 Normal entry charges apply Tickets: Adults: £6, Senior Citizen/Students: £4.50, www.alresfordshow.co.uk Child under 16: £3.50 31 OCTOBER www.butserancientfarm.co.uk 01962 738748 Samhain Evening: Celtic New Year 02392 598838 www.bignorromanvilla.co.uk/ 01798 869259 13 SEPTEMBER Butser Ancient Farm, Chalton Lane, Chalton, JULY 26, 11AM – 4PM Findon Sheep Fa ir and Village Festival Waterlooville, Hants, PO8 0BG 11 AND 12 OCTOBER Swan Barn Countryside Craft Fair Nepcote Green, Findon, West Sussex www.butserancientfarm.co.uk National Trust Autumn Countryside Show FREE EVENT 02392 598838 Swan Barn Farm, Collards Lane, Haslemere, Weald & Downland Open Air Museum, Chichester, www.findonsheepfair.co.uk GU27 2HU PO18 0EU NOVEMBER www.wealddown.co.uk/Events-Information/ 13 – 14 SEPTEMBER Admission Free Heritage Open Days www.nationaltrust.org.uk Autumn-Countryside-Show 15 AND 16 NOVEMBER, 10.30AM – 4PM 01243 811363 Bignor Roman Villa, Bignor, Pulborough, West 01428 652359 Sussex, RH20 1PH Christmas Market 17 AUGUST, 10AM – 2PM 27 JULY, 11AM – 5PM FREE EVENT Weald & Downland Open Air Museum, Chichester, South Downs Centre Open Day Winchester Cyclefest www.bignorromanvilla.co.uk/ PO18 0EU South Downs National Park Authority The Broadway, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 9GH 01798 869259 Reduced entry FREE EVENT South Downs Centre, Midhurst GU29 9DH 17 SEPTEMBER www.wealddown.co.uk/Events-Information/ www.winchester.gov.uk/events/details/8652 Christmas-Market Free entry 84th Laughton Ploughing Match 01962 848532 01243 811363 www.southdowns.gov.uk/openday Court Farm, East Street, Falmer, East Sussex, 21 AUGUST, 7.30PM 0300 303 1053 BN1 9PB 22 NOVEMBER – 24 DECEMBER 30 JULY, 5:30PM Evening Bat Walk www.laughtonagriculturalsociety.com/diary-dates Christmas at Marwell WWT Arundel Wetland Centre Jungle Book 18 SEPTEMBER, 7.30 Marwell Wildlife, Colden Common, Winchester, Mill Road Arundel West Sussex BN18 9PB Hant, SO21 1JM Forestry Commission, Alice Holt Forest, Near British Cheeses- Train Your Tastebuds: Tickets: £12 per person www.marwell.org.uk Farnham, GU10 4LS Food Tasting with Rosemary Moon Tickets: Adults £14, child £10 and a family ticket www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/arundel/ 01962 777511 01903 883355 West Dean Gardens Restaurant £42 West Dean College, Near Chichester, West Sussex, 16 – 25 AUGUST DECEMBER www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/INFD-9F5GDV PO18 0QZ 01483 326266 MADhurst Music Arts and Drama Tickets: £15 19 DECEMBER 31 JULY, 2 – 4PM Festival www.westdean.org.uk Slindon Wild Beast Safari Midhurst, West Sussex 01243 811301 Saturnalia: Roman Christmas www.madhurst.co.uk Ceremony National Trust, Park Lane Car Park, Slindon, near 20 SEPTEMBER, 9.30AM START Arundel, West Sussex 16 – 20 AUGUST Butser Ancient Farm, Chalton Lane, Chalton, West Grinstead Ploughing Match Waterlooville, Hants, PO8 0BG Tickets: Child £2 International Guitar Festival Broomlands Farm, Robin Hood Lane, Warnham, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/slindon-estate/ West Dean College, Near Chichester, West Sussex, www.butserancientfarm.co.uk West Sussex, RH12 3RR 02392 598838 01243 814730 PO18 0QZ www.westgrinsteadploughing.co.uk www.westdean.org.uk 01903 879488 19 DECEMBER 01243 811301 Tales of Winter Magic: festive stories 27 SEPTEMBER, 12 – 4PM Butser Ancient Farm, Chalton Lane, Chalton, Pulborough Harvest Festival Waterlooville, Hants, PO8 0BG East Glebe Field, opp. St Mary’s Church and the www.butserancientfarm.co.uk Chequers Pub, Pulborough, West Sussex 02392 598838 www.facebook.com/PulboroughHarvestFair 01798 872823 SOUTH DOWNS VIEW 2014 11 BASINGSTOKE www.southdowns.gov.ukALDERSHOT @sdnpa sdnpa M3 DORKING

Alice Holt © SDNPA Cowdray Ruins © SDNPA

Picnic in the woods Come for a great day out in the woods! At Alice Holt you can walk, cycle, play or have a picnic beneath the lovely trees. Forest office: View to Old Winchester Hill, Hampshire East Meon, Hampshire Little Butser, Hampshire , West Sussex Cissbury Ring, West Sussex View from , East Sussex Seven Sisters, East Sussex 01420 520212 www.forestry.gov.uk/aliceholt The River Itchin © SDNPA Wrecclesham M23 Lingfield Discover the pretty village of Cheriton Charlwood Smallfield Explore theMilfor heart dof the South Downs ALTON National Park Excellent views and Cheriton’s picturesque village of Alice Holt Chalkhill Blue © Neil Hulme thatched cottages alongside the crystal clear River Download our Walks near Midhurst and Itchen. Download our Walking near Cheriton Duncton Mill leaflet from our website leaflet from our website now –www.southdowns. Spot a chalkhill blue on St. Catherine’s Hill (www.southdowns.gov.uk/leaflets) to discover Cranleigh EAST gov.uk/leaflets. two beautiful walks in the tranquil West Sussex CRAWLEY This small but dramatic chalk hill lies to the Four countryside. GRINSTEAD south east of Winchester. Walk to the summit for Marks spectacular views of the city and the chance to spot Hindhead chalkhill blue butterflies, as well as a huge range A31 Chawton A26 of downland orchids found on this Site of SpecialM3 New Bordon M23 Scientific Interest (SSSI). Alresford Selborne Haslemere A22 A3 Itchen Selborne A325 A23 WINCHESTER Monkwood Common Woolmer Abbas Horsham Forest Black Down Northchapel A31 A264 A272 LLiss St. Catherine’s Hill Wisborough A26 Ashford Hangersrsrs Milland Green A22 River Itchen Billingshurst PETERSFIELD Iping West Meon East Meon Common Woolbeding Haywards Tw yford Common 2 A29 A265 M3 Beacon Hill A27 Heath 2 4 River Rother A272 A272 Butser Hilll BBuriton A272 Upham Old Petworth Winchester 3 Burgess A272 A32 South Harting MIDHURST A28 Eastleigh Bishopstoke Hill 3 PPulborough Hill Heathfield Bishop’s Droxford A22 Cocking A27 River Meon Queen Elizabeth Harting Down Waltham 9 Henfield Hambledon Country Park A2 Pulborough Brooks 5 Storrington A281 Hassocks A267 Shirrell A26 A285 Amberley A283 A23 Ditchling Heath Rowlands Castle Singleton Wildbrooks Steyning Fulking Bignor Hill Ditchling A27 Goodwood A2 Beacon ) Kingley Vale Amberley Chanctonbury 4 S Country Park A284 5 9 r Arun Ring Devil’s Dyke A2 Findon Glynde A3(M Lavant A28 Cissbury Ring Falmer Lewesweses DownDDooowwns 3 Arundel Mill Hill (Mount CaburnCbburrn)n) M27 A Havant River Adur River Ouse 1 A27 A22 A27 Castle Hill A27 Firle Beacon A22 FAREHAM Southease Alfriston Key CHICHESTER Barnham BRIGHTON & HOVE of Wilmington Cuckmere River South Downs National Park A2 St Huberts church, Idsworth © Nick Heasman WORTHING 59 South Downs Way LITTLEHAMPTON EASTBOURNN South Downs Way ExperienceGOSPOR EastT Hampshire by bike A N Newhaven 259 (footpath only) Open access chalk downland, ‘The Little Church BOGNOR REGIS Seaford Railway stations in a Field’ and the picturesque villagePOR of Buriton.TSMOUTH East Dean Download our Cycle rides near Petersfield and 0 1100 kkmm Seven Sisters Railway Rowlands Castle leaflet from our website for Country Park Countryside sites two road based cycle routes through the East E NGLISH CHANNEL Hampshire countryside – www.southdowns.gov.uk/ Butser Hill © SDNPA Kingley Vale © SDNPA Beachy Head Settlement leaflets. Tourist Information Centres Seek out adventure or search for some Cycle hire quiet… Explore the twisted ancient yew trees of 2 Kingley Vale. Soak up some sunshine in a quiet clearing, or splash in some puddles and make a mud pie. Whatever This National Nature Reserve contains one of the the weather Queen Elizabeth Country Park offers finest yew forests in western Europe, including something for everyone. If you’re searching for a grove of ancient trees which are among the some adrenaline pumping cycle routes or a leisurely oldest living things in Britain. Look out for green stroll through the forest, it’s all here! woodpeckers hunting ants in the superb chalk grassland, as well as red kites and buzzards soaring above. For more information contact 0300 060 6000 12 THE SOUTH DOWNS NATIONAL PARK

River Meon, Hampshire BASINGSTOKE

ALDERSHOT www.southdowns.gov.uk @sdnpa sdnpa M3 DORKING GUILDFORD Stunning views and secret hideaways – it’s yours to explore! A dramatic chalk ridge forms the backbone of the National Park. Following its length, between the Saxon town of Winchester and the plunging white cliffs of Beachy Head, is the 160km (100 mile) South Downs Way National Trail. The trail offers unrivalled views over this impressive landscape where further paths and quiet roads can take you on a journey through shady woodlands onto open heaths and along lush river valleys to the spectacular cliff-lined coast. Just remember that the South Downs is a working landscape and always follow the Countryside Code.

View to Old Winchester Hill, Hampshire East Meon, Hampshire Little Butser, Hampshire Arundel Castle, West Sussex Cissbury Ring, West Sussex View from Ditchling Beacon, East Sussex Seven Sisters, East Sussex

Wrecclesham M23 Lingfield Godalming Charlwood Smallfield ALTON Milford Alice Holt Wigeon for Pulborough Brooks © Chris Prince Binsted Cranleigh Binoculars at the ready! FlyingCRA on Devil’sWLEY Dyke © SDNPA EAST Four Set in the sheltered Arun Valley, RSPB Pulborough GRINSTEAD Marks Brooks boasts a great variety of habitats including Fly a kite on Devil’s Dyke Hindhead wetlands, woodland and heathland, which is a haven John Constable described the panorama from A31 Chawton for a wide range of wildlife. A fantastic day out Devil’s Dyke as ‘the grandest view in the world’. A26 M3 New Bordon for people of all ages. www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/ Just five miles north of Brighton, M2Devil’s3 Dyke offers guide/p/pulboroughbrooks/ Alresford Selborne Haslemere stunning panoramas, a record breaking valley, a A22 A3 curious history and the perfect spot to fly a kite Blackcap for Lewes Rides © Adrian DownieCrowborough on a breezy day. Why not let someone else do the Selborne A325 A23 WINCHESTER Itchen Monkwood Common driving and take the 77 Breeze Bus from the centre Enjoy East Sussex by bike Woolmer Horshaof Brighton.m During summer take in the views from Abbas Black Down Cycle through Stanmer Park and Ditchling Beacon 1 Forest Northchapel the top deck of the open top double decker buses A3 and there are later evening buses too. – the highest point in East Sussex and the site of LisL s Fernhurst A264 www.buses.co.uk/trips/breeze.aspx an early iron-age hill fort, or take in the sights of St. Catherine’s Hill A272 Wisborough historic Lewes and Blackcap, an important bronze age burial site. Download our Cycle rides nearA26 Ashford Hangersrsrs Milland Green A22 River Itchen Billingshurst Cuckfield Lewes and Falmer from our website here – PETERSFIELD Iping 5 www.southdowns.gov.uk/leaflets. West Meon East Meon Common Woolbeding Haywards Tw yford Common 2 A29 A265 M3 Beacon Hill A27 Heath River Rother A272 The Mens A272 Butser Hilll BuritoB n A272 Upham Old Petworth Winchester Burgess A272 Uckfield © Tye Looking South, SDNPA A32 South Harting MIDHURST A28 Bishopstoke Hill 3 Hill Heathfield Eastleigh PulborP ough Relax in the picturesque village of Telscombe Droxford Hurstpierpoint A22 Bishop’s Cocking A27 With our Walks near Telscombe and Mill Hill River Meon Queen Elizabeth Harting Down Waltham 9 Henfield 6 leaflet, wander through the peaceful village. Its Country Park Pulborough Brooks 5 Hambledon Heyshott Down A2 A281 Hassocks 6 tranquil character hasA2 been67 maintained due to the Storrington wealthy bookmaker Ambrose Gorham who left Shirrell A2 A285 Amberley A283 A23 Ditchling the village to a trust known as ‘Gorham’s Gift’. Heath Rowlands Castle Singleton Wildbrooks Steyning Download the leaflet here – Fulking Ringmer www.southdowns.gov.uk/leaflets. SOUTHAMPTON Bignor Hill Ditchling A27 Goodwood A2 Beacon ) Kingley Vale Amberley Chanctonbury 4 S Country Park A284 5 9 r Arun Ring Devil’s Dyke A2 Findon 7 Glynde Hailsham A3(M Lavant A28 Cissbury Ring Falmer Lewesweses DownDDooowwns 3 Arundel Mill Hill (Mount CaburnCbburrn)n) M27 A Havant River Adur River Ouse 10 A27 A22 A27 11 Castle Hill A27 Firle Beacon A22 FAREHAM Bignor Hill, for Amberley Ride © O.Elkington Long Man Southease Alfriston CHICHESTER Barnham BRIGHTON & HOVE of Wilmington Cuckmere River 12 Rottingdean A2 WORTHING 59 Lullington Heath LITTLEHAMPTON EASTBOURNN 9 GOSPORT Dark Nights skies © Dan Oakley/SDNPA 8 A N Newhaven 259 BOGNOR REGIS Seaford PORTSMOUTH East Dean Follow in the footsteps of the Romans 0 1100 kkmm Seven Sisters E NGLISHIn our Cycle ridesCHANNE near Amberley and Bignor L Country Park Hill leaflet you’ll have the option to ride along Beachy Head Stane Street, one of the best preserved sections of a Roman road built to connect Chichester and London. Download the leaflet from our website here www.southdowns.gov.uk/leaflets. Both routes Watch the stars start from Amberley Station so you can leave the car at home. Enjoy official Dark Sky Discovery sites at Winchester Hill and on Butser Hill & Queen Elizabeth Country Park. Other good spots include the Trundle, Ipping Common and Stedham Common. Or make a night of it and camp out under the stars. More tips for stargazing in the South Downs on p17

SOUTH DOWNS VIEW 2014 13

River Meon, Hampshire www.southdowns.gov.uk @sdnpa sdnpa

Fingers crossed for our Biosphere bid! This summer, it is hoped that a part of the South Downs National Park will achieve international recognition as a new UNESCO ‘Biosphere Reserve’.

The proposed Brighton & Hove and voluntary and private sector bodies Biosphere Reserve also. would include all of the National Park We want this Reserve to become area between the river Adur in the west a “world-class environment”, as part and the Ouse in the east, as well as the of an international family spanning neighbouring urban areas and near- some 600 sites in over 100 countries shore coastal waters. that together provide best-practice An international Biosphere Reserve demonstration areas that bring people would bring the three environments and nature together and seek to balance the needs of both. of down, town and coast together A bid decision is expected from under a high-profile initiative to not UNESCO in mid-June, and everyone only look after and improve the is invited to the (free) Sussex Festival natural environment, but also to better of Nature on Sunday 22 June at engage people with the nature on Stanmer Park (near Brighton) to their doorsteps and promote action to hopefully join in the celebration reduce the environmental impacts of of this new global award. See our lifestyles. you there! The Biosphere bid is being led Become a “Friend of the by Brighton & Hove City Council, Biosphere” to connect with working in partnership with some your environment and back our 40 organisations including the South Biosphere bid. Downs National Park Authority, other Find out more by visiting local authorities and public bodies, and www.biospherehere.org.uk.

and travel by bus and train to and around the National Park; Places to stay South ensure visitors have access to the „„show that public transport can be information they need and are inspired part of the experience – sit back to leave their cars at home when and take in the views rather than Downs National Park contemplating booking a holiday or focussing on the road! short break. Together, we are aiming to: To book your car-free short break Our Land is the leading place online to find a holiday in a range „„promote a range of inspiring short or holiday, visit www.our-land.co.uk of National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty breaks and experiences that are all and click on the ‘Discover Another (AONBs). accessible with the use of a car; Way’ or ‘Car-Free Holidays’ tab. „„demonstrate how easy it can be to walk and cycle All featured places to stay and things community, and share their knowledge to do have been carefully selected of the local landscape. Descriptions for their efforts to conserve and of the businesses and experiences enhance the much-loved features featured on the site are written by of UK protected landscapes. Every the businesses themselves and their experience listed on Our Land is membership of Our Land has carefully directly benefitting the conservation screened by local field-experts (usually of the National Park or AONB it National Park Authority or AONB is located in and has been selected Officers), reassuring visitors that by because it has made a commitment having an Our Land experience they to tell you the stories of the are supporting rural communities, as landscape through its food, buildings, well as other much-loved features in history, people and wildlife. Our the landscapes. Land experiences are based on As part of our Discover Another their Promise to Our Land in which Way sustainable travel campaign, the businesses describe how they sustain South Downs National Park Authority their environment, support their is working closely with Our Land to

14 THE SOUTH DOWNS NATIONAL PARK www.southdowns.gov.uk @sdnpa sdnpa

The rare Duke of Burgundy lives conditions were disastrous for many here butterflies in the National Park but There are fewer than 100 colonies of the chalkhill blues thrived and lack of Duke of Burgundy left in the UK, most competition from other species meant of which are very small and vulnerable. that around 820,000 were estimated On the peak days of the flight season to be flying at Friston Gallops near less than 5000 butterflies will be Eastbourne. on the wing, and in most years numbers will be smaller. In Butterflies also need managed insect terms these numbers woodland are extremely low and focussed When trees grow too densely less conservation efforts are needed to sunlight gets through to the forest floor, prevent extinction. Special efforts are meaning that less woodland flowers being made to restore chalk grassland grow and that’s bad for the butterflies on the downland in West Sussex to that live on them. The South Downs has help this species survive. more woodland than any other national park in England – 38,000 hectares – and plants and animals have evolved over thousands of years to live in coppiced (managed) woods which allow light through the canopy. Look out for grizzled skippers and brown hairstreaks Wings in sunny clearings and glades. What to spot on the Duke of Burgundy © Neil Hulme when? The green hairstreak is our only May is the ‘month of flowers’ and green butterfly a good time to spot the pearl- Last year was a great year in the bordered fritillary and the rare Downs South Downs for the UK’s only green Duke of Burgundy. Look out for butterfly. In 2012 there were only 38 the first brood of Adonis blue in Adonis Blue © Neil Hulme sightings across both East and West warm sheltered spots and green Sussex but in May 2013, 63 were hairstreaks. There is something magical about butterflies. From the spotted on a hillside near Storrington in just one day. Almost every available June is one of the best months early brimstone, peacock and red admiral promising the perch was being defended by to visit our downlands which are alive with numerous flowers return of spring to the Adonis blue’s last appearance in argumentative hairstreaks and three or and industrious insects. Green four at a time would form tight aerial autumn their bright colours conjure images of warm hairstreaks can still be seen at the bundles as they contested the prime start of the month, silver-studded sunlight, lazy picnics and beautiful walks across downland spots. The site where the butterflies blues and common blues may also were spotted was chalk grassland that and through woods. But did you know that: be around. had recently been cleared of invasive scrub. Butterflies love rich chalk metre chalk grassland is as rich and July brings migrant butterflies from the continent to our shores. Look grassland diverse a habitat as rainforest, but less out for the painted lady and the Many South Downs butterflies need than 5 per cent remains in the National bright-coloured clouded yellow. chalk grassland, an internationally Park. A huge project is underway to In the woods look out for bright important but endangered habitat, improve and increase chalk grassland orange coloured silver-washed in order to survive. With 30 to 40 across the South Downs National Park fritillary. flowering plant species per square – great news for butterflies like the chalkhill blue and brown argus. In August plants are still in abundance and providing a good Sheep and cows are lending source of nectar for many insects. helping hooves to care for our Look out for the chalkhill blue, butterflies Green Hairstreak Butterfly © Neil Hulme common blue, marbled white, the Chalk grassland only exists because of small copper and brown hairstreak. the grazing that’s taken place here over thousands of years, and sheep and cattle Blue is the colour… September may bring the end of are being employed as part of the work The South Downs are famous for the summer but there’s still a chance to restore it. Reintroducing grazing their many species of blue butterflies. to spot the second brood of Adonis animals is vital for the survival of the This includes the Adonis blue, chalkhill blue. grassland and the butterflies that need blue, common blue, holly blue and Brown Argus © Neil Hulme it to thrive. silver-studded blue. In 2012 weather

SOUTH DOWNS VIEW 2014 15 www.southdowns.gov.uk @sdnpa sdnpa

About the Wildlife Trust There are 47 Wildlife Trusts in the UK. They come together to form a national body, to comment on national issues.The South Downs National Park straddles the areas of both the Sussex and the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trusts, sibling organisations Inspiring wildlife that are managed and governed independently, but dedicated to identical causes for their lovers in the South respective areas. Downs National Park

The Sussex and Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trusts have experience the beauty, wonder and surveys and bug hunts. We have also been inspiring people about wildlife and landscapes for over 50 wildlife of the Downs – from late night been encouraging local people to walks to see magical glow worms, to improve their gardens for wildlife, we years, while managing some of the ‘crown jewels’ of their local midnight moth traps, or wanderings to have worked with local schools to landscapes. see the wonder of the blue butterflies create wildlife havens on their school on balmy summer days. The vast grounds and we are currently leading a They manage and graze some of the From town to Down majority of the people attending his project to helping volunteers to bring best chalk grassland for butterflies Looking at the National Park’s largest events are local people, residents of the more life into in five churchyards across in the National Park, as well as some market town, Lewes, it would be hard South Downs National Park, and each the town. The natural environment of the most majestic woodlands and to think that any one living here would one has come away learning more about is for everyone and this is one of the sweeping heathland vistas. not feel a strong connection with the the landscape that surrounds them and key messages of the Wildlife Trust When the South Downs National chalk grassland that dominates their why we care about it so much. movement. Find out more about Park was established it stood out landscape. Sadly, as has now become We don’t only encourage people the wildlife events around Lewes at from other National Parks for several clear, connection to wildlife, particularly to leave the town and explore the http://www.sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/ reasons, including its inclusion of urban in children, is not always the given it National Park – we’re also encouraging leweswildlife/index.htm areas, such as Lewes, Petersfield and should be. more wildlife to come into Lewes. A Wildlife on your doorstep Midhurst, meaning that the South Sussex Wildlife Trust has had a lot of our events have been focussed Sussex Wildlife Trust also works with Downs National Park held a far bigger community wildlife officer based in on the wildlife that can already be smaller local communities to help population than our other National Lewes for the last four years. He found in the town and we lead dawn them experience the wildlife on their Parks. has helped thousands of people to chorus walks, tree trails, urban BioBlitz doorstep. Our community wildlife

Adonis Blue Butterfly © Derek Adonis Blue © David Plummer Bloody Nosed Beetle © Alan Friston Forest, British White Silver Studded Blue Pair © Sussex Cattle Grazing at Woods Middleton www.davidplummerimages.co.uk Price, Gatehouse Studio Cows © Ivor Chuter Graeme Lyons Mill Nature Reserve, Henfield © Filma Dyer 16 THE SOUTH DOWNS NATIONAL PARK www.southdowns.gov.uk @sdnpa sdnpa officers and reserve managers lead autumn fungi. At these sites we have Trusts own and manage large areas of Our events across the Downs focus walks around our nature reserves sited been busy with school groups giving the this wildlife rich landscape from Noar on the habitat and history, archaeology throughout the National Park. At Iping children the chance to explore, play and Hill in Hampshire and in and wildlife of the South Downs. We and Stedham Commons near Midhurst learn in nature. West Sussex, through Ditchling Beacon lead walks looking for wheatears, we run regular events exploring the The most iconic landscape of the near Brighton, and adonis blue butterflies, burnt orchids fantastic heathland habitats where National Park is the rolling hills of the Southerham near Lewes and Seaford and bloody-nosed beetles. However all people can learn more about the rare South Downs themselves. The Wildlife Head at the far eastern end of the park. the walks we lead encourage people to reptiles, birds, plants and insects on this pull on their walking boots and explore important stretch of heath. Evening their local landscape and allow them to events and courses here focus on one experience the benefits to our physical of our most enigmatic and mysterious and mental health that can be gained summer birds – the nightjar. by a wander through wildlife. At , Sussex Wildlife Trust’s most recent reserve Learn more purchase, we have been working very Why not try out one of the Wildlife closely with the local community Trusts’ adult education courses which to involve them in the heathland run throughout the year. Many of our restoration work that is taking place. courses are specifically targeted at Through a series of walks, talks and giving people an in depth knowledge of consultations people in the area are the National Park. Some courses focus kept up to date with the progress of on the unique plants and insects found the project and the heathland wildlife here while others cover the ecology of that is returning once again to the site. heathland and chalk downland and look near Petworth at how to manage these rare habitats and at Henfield are great for wildlife. Find out more at woodland sites where people can www.sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/ search for summer butterflies and Nightjar at Iping Common © Neil Fletcher courses

What to look for? Camp under the stars “Although the summer nights are “Make a night of it by camping out Dark skies for the shorter there’s still plenty to see. Look under the stars. Saddlescombe Farm out for the constellation Cygnus (the near Brighton, Gumber Bothy near swan), it’s easy to spot, and Sagittarius Slindon and the Sustainability Centre South Downs on the southern horizon which is only near East Meon all have camping visible in summer time. Our home grounds under dark skies.” You may be familiar with the famous views across the hills of galaxy, the Milky Way, is also at its Stay safe the South Downs but how much time have you spent admiring best at this time of year, when we face “As with any trip out into the the ones above your head? towards its centre – there are lots of countryside it’s important to use your interesting features hidden in the dust common sense. Don’t go alone, tell such as double stars, nebula and even Most of us are used to seeing the way and we want to protect their someone where you’re going and, if you the first black hole ever discovered. orange glow of light pollution at night. right to enjoy it.” feel unsafe, don’t stay. Oh and remember BBC Sky at Night has lots of expert But above us lies a rich landscape of But don’t just take Dan’s word for to wrap up, even in the summer months tips on what to look out for and stars and planets and, luckily, there are it, why not get out into National Park a warm hat and a thermos with a hot the British Astronomical Association still places in the South Downs where drink will be welcome.” and experience our glorious dark website includes a weekly diary of the night skies are dark enough to skies for yourself. what to spot.” Get involved in protecting the reveal this astonishing starscape. ‘Dark Skies’ Dan’s top tips for South Downs’ dark skies Work is underway to make sure stargazing in the South Downs this Catch a falling star “From signing up to show your that these precious night time summer “Every August we pass through a band support, to turning off your lights or views are protected. To do this local of dust and gas left in the orbit path even installing different lighting, there Find the darkest skies astronomers are creating a map of of the comet Swift-Tuttle. The result will be lots of ways to get involved in “There are already two Dark Sky where the darkest skies are within is the amazing Perseid meteor shower. protecting the South Downs’ night Discovery sites in the National Park at the National Park with the aim that If the skies are cloud free and the skies. We’ll be launching a campaign Winchester Hill and on Butser Hill & parts of the South Downs could one moon’s not bright the show can be when the clocks change in October so Queen Elizabeth Country Park. Other day become an International Dark spectacular.” look out for more news later this year.” good spots include the Trundle, Iping Sky Reserve. “This is ridiculously Get expert advice from amateurs Common and Stedham Common.” Useful links ambitious,” says ‘Dark Skies’ Dan, a “One of the best ways to experience Dark skies in the South Downs National Park ranger working on the Adjust to the dark the night skies is at a star party run by www.southdowns.gov.uk/looking-after/ project, “because the eight reserves “It takes around 20 minutes for your your local astronomy group. Although dark-skies named so far are all remote, with eyes to properly adjust to the darkness they mostly go out during the long, BBC Sky at Night few roads and almost no-one living – if you don’t then you won’t be able dark winter nights some will still be www.bbc.co.uk/science/space/universe/ there. But that’s also what makes this to make the most of the night skies. So running sessions over the summer, collections/the_night_sky_spring_ so important – more than a million turn off any lights or torches, put away particularly around events like the summer people live just a short journey away your mobile phone and relax for a bit Perseid meteor shower. Find your local British Astronomical Association from the amazing sight of the milky before you get the binoculars out.” group at www.sagasonline.org” www.britastro.org

SOUTH DOWNS VIEW 2014 17 www.southdowns.gov.uk @sdnpa sdnpa

Giving nature a home around the South Downs

The South Downs Futurescape programme is the RSPB’s contribution to landscape-scale conservation in this area. Key to taking care of this special place is working in partnership to build connections across the landscape, making sure it can deliver to its fullest potential for people and wildlife. Most importantly in all of this work is recognising that we cannot save the beloved habitats and wildlife of the South Downs alone. You can help us by volunteering or donating to your chosen conservation organisation and by doing ‘your bit’ for wildlife on your patch. Wonderful in a beautiful landscape at RSPB wildlife Pulborough Brooks

In the beautiful Arun Valley, nestled at the foot of the rolling them singing, they’re often tricky to On a summer’s evening you could South Downs, RSPB Pulborough Brooks is home to all kinds of spot. hear the mysterious churring of a wildlife. nightjar, or spot the eerie glow of a twinkling glow worm. Why not join us Just like the National Park itself, the one of the best places in the country to on one of our ‘after dark’ events and habitats on the reserve are incredibly hear and see this elusive bird. Over the meet some marvellous moths and use diverse and provide hundreds of homes pools and wet meadows the lapwing is detectors to find bats. for wildlife. As well as giving nature a performing acrobatic aerial manoeuvres, Autumn arrives, and with it come home, the reserve is managed to ensure calling ‘peewit, peewit’. Later on, look the ducks; colourful wigeon, zippy little it is a great place to connect people for the cute fluffy chicks who have to teal, elegant pintail and minesweeping with nature too. With facilities including be up on their feet and running as soon shoveler all make the wetlands here a cosy café, play area, wildlife-watching as they hatch. their winter home.. hides, friendly volunteer guides and Wigeon © Chris Prince Out in the woodlands, look for weird a busy events programme, a visit to and wonderful fungi tucked up amongst Pulborough Brooks makes a wonderful the autumn leaves. Come be ‘wild in day out. Creatures are also beginning to stir the woods’ with us to find tree giants, in the murky depths of our ponds and creepy crawlies and build woodland you can get up close and personal with dens. fierce dragonfly larvae, water boatmen In winter, wrap up warm and you and diving beetles. During school could catch a glimpse of the fastest bird holidays in the spring and summer, in the world – the peregrine falcon – as pond dipping events are one of our she hunts for her lunch. Spot pretty favourites! pink bullfinches in the hedgerows and Beautiful Demoiselle © Chris Prince As we move on to summer, insects acrobatic long-tailed tits swinging from take centre stage. Wander along the sandy tracks that cross the heath the trees. It is then time to head back Another favourite songster is the looking out for fast and fierce green to the cosy cafe and enjoy a steaming Nightingale © Russ Tofts skylark – one of the iconic birds of the tiger beetles and basking lizards and bowl of soup or an indulgent hot South Downs. Watch him rise higher pause at Black Pond to spot patrolling chocolate. Visit in spring to hear one of nature’s and higher into the sky, fluttering and dragonflies. Wildflowers add a splash of Whenever you come to visit there most marvellous sounds – the song of singing as he goes, before plunging to colour and provide a home and food are things to see, hear and do. Come the nightingale – Pulborough Brooks is the ground. Even when you can hear for a myriad of insects. and explore!

18 THE SOUTH DOWNS NATIONAL PARK www.southdowns.gov.uk @sdnpa sdnpa © Doug Jones © SDNPA Lewes celebrates battle anniversary Lewes and Bordering Landscape© Anne Purkiss

With its Norman castle, ruined , narrow twittens and of talks and free mediaeval drop-ins The festival has been developed historic high street the peaceful of Lewes is the at and a special festival by a community steering committee perfect place to start exploring the South Downs. celebrating the history and culture which has been meeting regularly for of the South Downs on the actual over two years. Edwina Livesey, who It is steeped in history and famous of the Magna Carta sealed 50 years battlefield, which will include a chance is co-ordinating the festival thanks former residents include Tom Paine, earlier, led directly to the summoning to work with celebrated artist Tom to funding from the South Downs author of ‘The Rights of Man,’ Gideon of the first parliament in Britain to Walker on a pastel drawing of the site. National Park Authority, said ‘There Mantell, discoverer of the Sussex include elected commoners. Those fancying a walk across the downs really is something for everyone iguanadon, novellist Virginia Woolf will find some unusual ways to do so, during this festival and it’s a tribute Come join the celebrations who lived in a converted windmill and including a site specific drama which to the organisers of all these events In May this year there will be significant 17th century diarist . Its includes a 4 mile walk, a costumed that we have such a wide range of commemorations of the 750th Georgian facades often hide timber- march celebrating Henry III’s arrival in exciting and enjoyable activities anniversary of the battle, making this framed interiors and one of its tudor the town and a further walk starting available. The Battle of Lewes is one buildings, now open to the public, was an ideal time to visit. Highlights will at dawn on 14 May from Fletching, of the most politically important once owned by Henry VIII’s fourth include a 13th century camp for young which commemorates de Montfort’s battles ever fought and we would wife . However it hasn’t people, a display of banners, a costumed always been so peaceful. On 14 May street march and re-enactment, a night march on the town. Famed local love to welcome as many visitors to 1264 it was the scene of the Battle of specially-embroidered tapestry which brewers Harvey and Son are creating the town as possible to share the Lewes, a huge clash between Henry has taken almost 4 years to create, a special mediaeval ale to mark the commemorations with us.’ III and a group of rebel barons under a traditional fayre with mediaeval occasion, so a hospitable welcome on Full details of all of the events in Simon de Montfort. De Montfort’s operating theatre, an outdoor mystery arrival is guaranteed. And of course this the festival and booking details are victory, which reinforced the authority play, specially-composed music, a series being Lewes, there will be fireworks. on www.sussexpast.co.uk

SOUTH DOWNS VIEW 2014 19 www.southdowns.gov.uk @sdnpa sdnpa

Supporting communities

The Sustainable Communities Fund (SCF) is a grant scheme administered by the South Downs National Park Authority to support local community projects. Here are just a few of the recent projects that have benefitted from the SCF… The wellbeing benefits of nature Grow is a small local charity whose aim is to improve people’s mental-health and wellbeing through connecting them with nature. The group works with adults in Sussex delighted to receive funding from with enduring mental health problems SDNPA for our minibus. It will give us who often find it hard to access the much more flexibility to open up the therapeutic benefits of the countryside. wellbeing benefits of the glorious Sussex With the South Downs National countryside to people who otherwise Park on their doorstep, Grow offers find it difficult to access.” individuals opportunities to get out and With transport in place, Grow about in the beautiful countryside. provides twice weekly activity days with Arundel WWT SCF Funded Hide © WWT Arundel However, one of the obstacles Grow a range of opportunities to access the faced with this project was sourcing countryside including guided nature suitable transport for getting groups to walks, conservation, woodworking, Arun floodplain is restored at different locations. Jo Wren, co-founder environmental art, eco-therapy, gardening, and Director of Grow said: “We were mindfulness, exercise and relaxation. WWT’s Arundel Centre Arundel Wildfowl & Wetlands Centre (WWT) encompasses 26 hectares of mixed wetland habitat within the Downland Arun Valley character area, where 95,000 people each year get close to nature in peaceful surroundings.

The centre provides important habitat large picture windows from the cafe for a range of wetland wildlife, including in the main visitor centre building, the threatened species such as water vole, restoration presents Arundel’s visitors dormouse, reed bunting, grass snake with a spectacular and inspiring view and bats, as well as a large variety of a traditional landscape. An angle- of water birds. With such successful poised telescope in the visitor centre habitats already available, the Centre enables visitors of all ages and abilities was keen to further its conservation to gain close up views of the wildlife, and educational resources by whilst interpretation panels provide recreating the landscape of the identification keys for wildlife, and Petersfield Museum expands its Arun floodplain which would have explain the natural history and features historically dominated the site. of the wider Arun Valley.” education and outreach programme Supported by the Sustainable As part of the SCF funded project Communities Fund, along with other a new fully accessible hide has also With SCF funding in place, the Petersfield museum has been able agencies and individuals, the Centre been built on the edge of the lagoon. to boost their education and programme with resource packs restored the existing lagoon in front This provides a basis for families and and workshops. of the visitor centre to a natural visitors who are new to birdwatching wetland in keeping with the River to learn basic wildlife watching and The packs can also be used in schools, Amanda Harwood, Education Officer Arun floodplain and water meadows. identification skills in welcoming care homes and with other community at the Petersfield Museum explains: “We A heavily degraded lagoon has surroundings. Optical equipment and groups. look forward to continuing our work been replaced with a rich mosaic of identification guides are available in The museum has been able to set with the support of the SCF to further wetland habitats designed to increase the hide, and volunteers are on hand up family activities such as holiday develop and expand our education biodiversity, in particular priority to help people use the equipment and craft sessions and a town trail where and outreach work during an exciting Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) species spot wildlife of interest. children can answer clues to win a period of development for Petersfield and habitats. If your community could benefit prize as they explore Petersfield. It has Museum.” Dave Fairlamb, WWT Arundel from SCF funding, find out more also launched a new adult education Centre Manager, said: “Viewed through at www.southdowns.gov.uk/SCF. programme.

20 THE SOUTH DOWNS NATIONAL PARK www.southdowns.gov.uk @sdnpa sdnpa

The Chattri near Brighton © R. Reed/South Downs Society

shells of allied soldiers, this area had an interesting and little known role to play in World War I. On the Downs just above Patcham stands an unusual monument of white marble. The Chattri stands as a monument to the Indian soldiers who fought and died on the Western Front during World War I. Between 1914 and 1918, over 1.5 million Indian soldiers fought alongside Your Britain, fight for it! British troops. Around 12,000 of those troops, who were wounded, found These stirring words from the now iconic 1942 war poster in history – ‘Operation Overlord’, themselves being treated in and around (below) by Frank Newbould, sit against an image of the soft, better known as the D Day landings. Brighton. Fifty three Hindus and Sikhs Droxford was chosen as the ideal place were among the Indian soldiers who welcoming hills of the South Downs. for Winston Churchill and General sadly lost their fight for life in Brighton Eisenhower to safely meet to put and were cremated near Patcham. The Long an area guarded and fought for, war, to the training and camping of the final touches to the D Day plans. Chattri, which means umbrella’ in Hindi, the South Downs played an important, thousands of British and allied soldiers From 2–4 June, Droxford village will was built above the site and and at times, surprising role in both as they prepared for the D Day host a series of events to celebrate bears the inscription: World Wars. The impact of World landings. the 70th anniversary of Churchill War II on what is now Britain’s What is perhaps less well known and Eisenhower’s meeting. For more ‘To the memory of all newest National Park, has been well is that for two days in June 1944, the information contact michael.profit@ the Indian soldiers documented, from the transformation small village of Droxford in Hampshire hotmail.co.uk. Although the railway of rare chalk grassland into food played a crucial part in the run up line is long gone, you can wander along who gave their lives for their production to help feed a country at to possibly the greatest invasion what is now a bridlepath to see the still King-Emperor in the Great clearly visible siding that played such was such a crucial location in the war’s War, this monument, erected end. on the site of the funeral pyre You can find other surprising where the Hindus and Sikhs remnants of World War II across the South Downs National Park: who died in hospital at Brighton, Below Kithurst Hill lie the remains passed through the fire, is in of a Canadian tank left behind by the grateful admiration 14th Canadian Army Tank Battalion. An estimated 18,000 defensive pill and brotherly affection boxes were constructed along Britain’s dedicated.’ coastline in anticipation of a German invasion. Near the you The monument stands not only in can find the remains of both pill boxes memory of the fallen soldiers, but as a and dragons’ teeth tank obstacles. reminder of the important role that this Long before now iconic South special landscape has played in Britain Downs’ buildings such as the old Belle history. Pillboxes, Armaments and Defences of WWII © Anne Purkiss Tout lighthouse felt the target practice

SOUTH DOWNS VIEW 2014 21

If you go down to the woods today...

Imagine being custodians of 900,000 acres of some of Britain’s best loved landscape?

The Forestry Commission is Britain’s Commission managed woodlands offer largest land manager, and manages some great opportunities for a day out some of the country’s most spectacular amongst the trees. landscapes, including some of the South Some of our woodlands have Downs National Park’s hidden gems – waymarked trails. You’ll find information just waiting for you to discover! boards in the car parks showing where the routes go and what to look out for Discover and explore your forests along the way: and woodlands within the South Here’s just a snapshot of what you Downs National Park… might find in your forests: From two-wheeled adventures by bike to forest walking trails for all, Forestry Explore Alice Holt Forest For a great day out in the woods, Junior, take a relaxing break in our look no further than Alice Holt café and finish your visit with a quiet Forest. You can walk, cycle, play or stroll in one of the more remote have a picnic. Experience life in the parts of the forest. trees with Go Ape and Tree Top www.forestry.gov.uk/aliceholt

Explore West Walk West Walk is an ideal wood for a paths to help you discover West Explore Queen Elizabeth complete day out with walking trails, Walk on foot or by bike. cycling, picnic spots and adventure Children will have great fun Country Park play areas. in the adventure play area with its At 350 hectares, is the largest large oak tree house, wooden Fun for all the family in the great Centre with its shop and cafe, the remaining fragment of the former playhouses, wigwams, sand pit, outdoors at Queen Elizabeth park makes for a great day out. Forest of Bere. climbing wall, bridge and shingle Country Park. From the top of With over 20 miles of trails there There are two way marked stream. Butser Hill, the highest point on the are plenty of walking and cycling walking trails and plenty of natural www.forestry.gov.uk/westwalk South Downs, down to the Visitor routes to choose from. www3.hants.gov.uk/qecp

22 THE SOUTH DOWNS NATIONAL PARK www.southdowns.gov.uk @sdnpa sdnpa

Discovery Pass If you are a regular visitor to the forest you could soon make a saving on car parking at paid for sites with our annual parking pass – the Discovery Pass. Support your local forest, get car parking for a year, local and national discount offers and a seasonal e-newsletter.

The Forestry Commission Catch a glimpse The Forestry Commission is the government department responsible for protecting, expanding and promoting of some amazing sustainable management of woodlands

and increasing their value to society , wildlife... P rotect and respect wildlife and the environment. Our forests are working forests.Timber operations can plants and trees. Forestry commission woodlands are some of the best be extremely dangerous and visitor safety K eep d ogs under control places to go to see Britain’s wildlife, from large mammals is crucially important to us. Therefore, a fter them. such as deer right down to some of the forest’s smaller & tidy we display warning signs and diversions inhabitants such as bats, dormice and butterflies. Ta ke your litter home. where necessary and ask everybody to noise. M ake no unnecessary take notice of these, to avoid danger to

Ta ke on ly memories away. themselves and our workers.

www.forestry.gov.uk @ForestryCommEng forestry.commission.england