Ashen Plantation ✦ Ancient woodland 19 ha
Plan your visit
🦉 Wildlife🦅 Birds🌿 Foraging
Public access Free entry Dogs welcome 19 ha
Places › England › South East › Mid Sussex Getting here
50.91198, -0.17440
Open directionsv Visiting this summer
Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now
▾ 🌞 Midsummer — early morning visits most comfortable; look for deer fawns in quieter clearings 🌿 Foraging is at its best in summer here 🐕 Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days 🌤️ Visiting this summer
🌞 Midsummer — early morning visits most comfortable; look for deer fawns in quieter clearings 🌿 Foraging is at its best in summer here 🐕 Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days £ Free to visit — no entry charge🐕 Dogs welcome🌿 Ancient woodland — rare wildlife habitat🦉 Wildlife
Very strong match
Multi-group wildlife — Birds, Mammals, Reptiles; Multi-group wildlife — Birds, Mammals, Reptiles
Free
🦅 Bird watching
Very strong match
Birds — Blue Tit, Robin, Great Tit +59 more · last seen 2026; Birds — Blue Tit, Robin, Great Tit +59 more · last seen 2026
Free
Plants — Hazel, Common Nettle, Hogweed +23 more foraging species; Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic
Varies
🦋 Insect spotting
Strong match
Chalk and limestone grassland — chalkhill blue, adonis blue and rare moths; Insects — Common Red Soldier Beetle, Red-headed Cardinal Beetle, Closterotomus trivialis +19 more · last seen 2025
Free
🍂 Seasonal nature
Strong match
Ancient woodland — bluebells, fungi and autumn colour; Plants — Wood Anemone, Hazel, Dog's Mercury +230 more · last seen 2026
Free
Dogs allowed — public woodland
Free
Trails nearby Within roughly 5 km 13 signed routes nearby · 47 public paths nearby
Signed route nearby Public paths
Monarch's Way Walking route 990 km ▾
approximate route of Charles II's escape
Named route Ref MW Length 990 km Regional walking route
Show on map South Downs Way Walking route 160 km ▾
Named route Length 160 km National walking route
Show on map Ditchling Beacon to Devil's Dyke, South Downs walk, Sussex East Walking route 11.2 km ▾
This walk takes in one of the most stunning sections of the South Downs Way. Spring & Summer bring rich plant life thanks to the chalk soil, forming unique grassland habitat. Great bus links from Brighton. Mostly flat until Pyecombe where it gets steep.
Named route Length 11.2 km Duration 03:00 Point-to-point Regional walking route
Show on map Wolstonbury Hill Explore Nature Walk, Sussex East Walking route 5.9 km ▾
Go through beech woodland before climbing steep open grassland to the top of the hill. On summiting, admire panoramic views of the weald, sea & downs, including Newtimber Hill & Devil's Dyke. Bluebells & garlic can be found in Spring. Potential livestock.
Named route Length 5.9 km Duration 02:00-02:30 Round trip Local walking route
Show on map Rampart Ramble, Sussex East Walking route 1.3 km ▾
Stroll around the old walls of the Iron Age hill fort. Take in views over the Weald & Brighton. Look out for remains of the curious Victorian funfair riders & in summer, walk through a meadow of orchids & butterflies. Suitable for pushchairs when dry
Named route Length 1.3 km Duration 00:30 Round trip Local walking route
Show on map Brighton Road public footpath · 17 m ▾
Public path public footpath Length 17 m Surface asphalt Path type: unclassified
Show on map Brighton Road public footpath · 27 m ▾
Public path public footpath Length 27 m Surface asphalt Path type: unclassified
Show on map Brighton Road public footpath · 44 m ▾
Public path public footpath Length 44 m Surface asphalt Path type: unclassified
Show on map 26 signed routes nearby
Signed route nearby
Green Circle - Bicycle Relation Cycling route ▾
Named route Local cycle route
Show on map Kings Way Cycling route ▾
Named route Local cycle route
Show on map Hurstpierpoint to Downlands Communitiy College Cycling route ▾
National Cycle Route 20 Pyecombe to Brighton Cycling route ▾
Named route Ref 20 National Cycle Network
Show on map Route 82 Cycling route ▾
Named route Ref 82 Point-to-point Regional cycle route
Show on map Burgess Hill - Hassocks Cycle Route Cycling route ▾
Named route Local cycle route
Show on map 1 signed route nearby
Signed route nearby
South Downs Way Mountain bike route ▾
Named route Ref 89 National Cycle Network
Show on map 41 public paths nearby
Public paths
Brighton Road bridleway · 122 m ▾
Public path bridleway Length 122 m Surface asphalt Path type: service
Show on map London Road bridleway · 539 m ▾
Public path bridleway Length 539 m Path type: unclassified
Show on map ✦ Ancient woodland — continuously wooded since at least 1600 AD. A rare and irreplaceable habitat, rich in biodiversity and historical character.
Photos Bridleway junction in Ashen Plantation
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UK green spaces mapped from open public data — so anyone can find the woodland, trail, or nature reserve closest to them.
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Wildlife to spot
10,821 records · National Biodiversity Network
▾
Wildlife to spot 10,821 records · National Biodiversity Network 🐦 Birds 40 species
winter autumn
2026 ▾
Robin · Great Tit · Magpie · Blue Tit · Green Woodpecker +35
Robin Erithacus rubecula Great Tit Parus major Magpie Pica pica Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus Green Woodpecker Picus viridis Redwing Turdus iliacus Blackbird Turdus merula2025 Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Wren Troglodytes troglodytes2025 Herring Gull Larus argentatus2025 Carrion Crow Corvus corone2025 Jackdaw Coloeus monedula2025 Woodpigeon Columba palumbus2025 Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata2025 Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major2025 Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs2025 Jay Garrulus glandarius2025 Dunnock Prunella modularis2025 Raven Corvus corax2025 Rook Corvus frugilegus2025 Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella2025 Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus2025 Linnet Linaria cannabina2025 Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis2025 Mallard Anas platyrhynchos2025 Fieldfare Turdus pilaris2025 Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus2025 Song Thrush Turdus philomelos2025 Pheasant Phasianus colchicus2025 Goldcrest Regulus regulus2025 Moorhen Gallinula chloropus2025 Skylark Alauda arvensis2025 Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis2025 House Sparrow Passer domesticus2025 Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita2025 Whitethroat Curruca communis2025 Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus2025 Swallow Hirundo rustica2025 House Martin Delichon urbicum2025 Little Owl Athene noctua2025 🐝 Insects 4 species
summer autumn
2025 ▾
Common Red Soldier Beetle · Bright Four-spined Legionnaire · Eristalis tenax · Red-legged Shieldbug
Common Red Soldier Beetle Rhagonycha fulva Bright Four-spined Legionnaire Chorisops nagatomii Eristalis tenax Eristalis tenax Red-legged Shieldbug Pentatoma rufipes Traveller's-joy · Round-headed Rampion · Wood Anemone · Bluebell · Dog's Mercury +75
Traveller's-joy Clematis vitalba Round-headed Rampion Phyteuma orbiculare2025 Wood Anemone Anemone nemorosa Bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta Dog's Mercury Mercurialis perennis Blackthorn Prunus spinosa Creeping Thistle Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas
Wildlife to spot 10,821 records · National Biodiversity Network 🐦 Birds 40 species
winter autumn
2026 ▾
Robin · Great Tit · Magpie · Blue Tit · Green Woodpecker +35
Robin Erithacus rubecula Great Tit Parus major Magpie Pica pica Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus Green Woodpecker Picus viridis Redwing Turdus iliacus Blackbird Turdus merula2025 Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Wren Troglodytes troglodytes2025 Herring Gull Larus argentatus2025 Carrion Crow Corvus corone2025 Jackdaw Coloeus monedula2025 Woodpigeon Columba palumbus2025 Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata2025 Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major2025 Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs2025 Jay Garrulus glandarius2025 Dunnock Prunella modularis2025 Raven Corvus corax2025 Rook Corvus frugilegus2025 Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella2025 Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus2025 Linnet Linaria cannabina2025 Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis2025 Mallard Anas platyrhynchos2025 Fieldfare Turdus pilaris2025 Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus2025 Song Thrush Turdus philomelos2025 Pheasant Phasianus colchicus2025 Goldcrest Regulus regulus2025 Moorhen Gallinula chloropus2025 Skylark Alauda arvensis2025 Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis2025 House Sparrow Passer domesticus2025 Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita2025 Whitethroat Curruca communis2025 Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus2025 Swallow Hirundo rustica2025 House Martin Delichon urbicum2025 Little Owl Athene noctua2025 🐝 Insects 4 species
summer autumn
2025 ▾
Common Red Soldier Beetle · Bright Four-spined Legionnaire · Eristalis tenax · Red-legged Shieldbug
Common Red Soldier Beetle Rhagonycha fulva Bright Four-spined Legionnaire Chorisops nagatomii Eristalis tenax Eristalis tenax Red-legged Shieldbug Pentatoma rufipes Traveller's-joy · Round-headed Rampion · Wood Anemone · Bluebell · Dog's Mercury +75
Traveller's-joy Clematis vitalba Round-headed Rampion Phyteuma orbiculare2025 Wood Anemone Anemone nemorosa Bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta Dog's Mercury Mercurialis perennis Blackthorn Prunus spinosa Creeping Thistle Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas
Cirsium arvense2025
Cirsium arvense2025
Common Fleabane Pulicaria dysenterica2025
Common Fleabane Pulicaria dysenterica2025
Common Centaury Centaurium erythraea2025
Common Centaury Centaurium erythraea2025
Lady's Bedstraw Galium verum2025
Lady's Bedstraw Galium verum2025
Yellow-wort Blackstonia perfoliata2025
Yellow-wort Blackstonia perfoliata2025
Bee Orchid Ophrys apifera2025
Bee Orchid Ophrys apifera2025
Hedge Bedstraw Galium album2025
Hedge Bedstraw Galium album2025
Nettle-leaved Bellflower Campanula trachelium2025
Nettle-leaved Bellflower Campanula trachelium2025
Wild Marjoram Origanum vulgare2025
Wild Marjoram Origanum vulgare2025
Common Nettle Urtica dioica2025
Common Nettle Urtica dioica2025
Hedge Woundwort Stachys sylvatica2025
Hedge Woundwort Stachys sylvatica2025
White Bryony Bryonia dioica2025
White Bryony Bryonia dioica2025
Hogweed Heracleum sphondylium2025
Hogweed Heracleum sphondylium2025
Sweet Violet Viola odorata
Sweet Violet Viola odorata
Moschatel Adoxa moschatellina
Moschatel Adoxa moschatellina
Crescent-cup Liverwort Lunularia cruciata2025
Crescent-cup Liverwort Lunularia cruciata2025
Autumn Lady's-tresses Spiranthes spiralis2025
Autumn Lady's-tresses Spiranthes spiralis2025
Great Horsetail Equisetum telmateia2025
Great Horsetail Equisetum telmateia2025
Spiny Restharrow Ononis spinosa2025
Spiny Restharrow Ononis spinosa2025
Elder Sambucus nigra2025
Elder Sambucus nigra2025
Wood Avens Geum urbanum2025
Wood Avens Geum urbanum2025
Greater Burdock Arctium lappa2025
Greater Burdock Arctium lappa2025
Lesser Trefoil Trifolium dubium2025
Lesser Trefoil Trifolium dubium2025
Pyramidal Orchid Anacamptis pyramidalis2025
Pyramidal Orchid Anacamptis pyramidalis2025
Field Horsetail Equisetum arvense2025
Field Horsetail Equisetum arvense2025
Dropwort Filipendula vulgaris2025
Dropwort Filipendula vulgaris2025
Wood Speedwell Veronica montana2025
Wood Speedwell Veronica montana2025
Broad-leaved Everlasting-pea Lathyrus latifolius2025
Broad-leaved Everlasting-pea Lathyrus latifolius2025
Bittersweet Solanum dulcamara2025
Bittersweet Solanum dulcamara2025
Wild Carrot Daucus carota2025
Wild Carrot Daucus carota2025
Kidney Vetch Anthyllis vulneraria2025
Kidney Vetch Anthyllis vulneraria2025
Wild Teasel Dipsacus fullonum2025
Wild Teasel Dipsacus fullonum2025
Common Toadflax Linaria vulgaris2025
Common Toadflax Linaria vulgaris2025
Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna2025
Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna2025
Ash Fraxinus excelsior2025
Ash Fraxinus excelsior2025
Lords-and-Ladies Arum maculatum2025
Lords-and-Ladies Arum maculatum2025
Bristly Oxtongue Helminthotheca echioides2025
Bristly Oxtongue Helminthotheca echioides2025
Agrimony Agrimonia eupatoria2025
Agrimony Agrimonia eupatoria2025
Broad-leaved Dock Rumex obtusifolius2025
Broad-leaved Dock Rumex obtusifolius2025
Shepherd's-purse Capsella bursa-pastoris2025
Shepherd's-purse Capsella bursa-pastoris2025
Common Restharrow Ononis repens2025
Common Restharrow Ononis repens2025
Red Bartsia Odontites vernus2025
Red Bartsia Odontites vernus2025
Common Spotted-orchid Dactylorhiza fuchsii2025
Common Spotted-orchid Dactylorhiza fuchsii2025
Spindle Euonymus europaeus2025
Spindle Euonymus europaeus2025
Ribwort Plantain Plantago lanceolata2025
Ribwort Plantain Plantago lanceolata2025
Squinancywort Asperula cynanchica2025
Squinancywort Asperula cynanchica2025
Dyer's Greenweed Genista tinctoria2025
Dyer's Greenweed Genista tinctoria2025
Nipplewort Lapsana communis2025
Nipplewort Lapsana communis2025
Hound's-tongue Cynoglossum officinale2025
Hound's-tongue Cynoglossum officinale2025
Stone Parsley Sison amomum2025
Stone Parsley Sison amomum2025
Common Fragrant-orchid Gymnadenia conopsea2025
Common Fragrant-orchid Gymnadenia conopsea2025
Perforate St John's-wort Hypericum perforatum2025
Perforate St John's-wort Hypericum perforatum2025
Field Maple Acer campestre2025
Field Maple Acer campestre2025
Red Campion Silene dioica2025
Red Campion Silene dioica2025
Dewberry Rubus caesius2025
Dewberry Rubus caesius2025
Meadow Vetchling Lathyrus pratensis2025
Meadow Vetchling Lathyrus pratensis2025
Green Alkanet Pentaglottis sempervirens2025
Green Alkanet Pentaglottis sempervirens2025
Dogwood Cornus sanguinea2025
Dogwood Cornus sanguinea2025
Peach-leaved Bellflower Campanula persicifolia2025
Peach-leaved Bellflower Campanula persicifolia2025
Mugwort Artemisia vulgaris2025
Mugwort Artemisia vulgaris2025
Wild Privet Ligustrum vulgare2025
Wild Privet Ligustrum vulgare2025
Hart's-Tongue Asplenium scolopendrium2025
Hart's-Tongue Asplenium scolopendrium2025
Hazel Corylus avellana2025
Hazel Corylus avellana2025
Common Ragwort Jacobaea vulgaris2025
Common Ragwort Jacobaea vulgaris2025
Cleavers Galium aparine2025
Cleavers Galium aparine2025
Ivy Hedera helix2025
Ivy Hedera helix2025
Scaly Male-fern Dryopteris affinis2025
Scaly Male-fern Dryopteris affinis2025
Enchanter's-nightshade Circaea lutetiana2025
Enchanter's-nightshade Circaea lutetiana2025
Salad Burnet Poterium sanguisorba2025
Salad Burnet Poterium sanguisorba2025
Quaking-grass Briza media2025
Quaking-grass Briza media2025
Goat's-beard Tragopogon pratensis2025
Goat's-beard Tragopogon pratensis2025
Greater Knapweed Centaurea scabiosa2025
Greater Knapweed Centaurea scabiosa2025
Black Bryony Tamus communis2025
Black Bryony Tamus communis2025
Beech Fagus sylvatica2025
Beech Fagus sylvatica2025 