Beachy Wood ✦ Ancient woodland 12 ha
🦉 Wildlife🦅 Birds🌿 Foraging
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Public access Free entry Dogs welcome 12 ha
Places › England › South East › Lewes Getting here
50.92659, -0.00233
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 — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals, Reptiles; Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals, Reptiles
Free
🦅 Bird watching
Very strong match
Birds — Woodpigeon, Blackbird, Wren +69 more · last seen 2025; Birds — Woodpigeon, Blackbird, Wren +69 more · last seen 2025
Free
Plants — Common Nettle, Hogweed, Bristly Oxtongue +17 more foraging species; Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic
Varies
🍂 Seasonal nature
Strong match
Ancient woodland — bluebells, fungi and autumn colour; Plants — Common Nettle, Broad-leaved Dock, Rose +182 more · last seen 2025
Free
🦋 Insect spotting
Strong match
Insects — Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Willow Emerald Damselfly +57 more · last seen 2026; Insects — Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Willow Emerald Damselfly +57 more · last seen 2026
Free
Dogs allowed — public woodland
Free
Trails nearby Within roughly 5 km 5 signed routes nearby · 13 public paths nearby
Signed route nearby Public paths
South Downs Way Walking route 160 km ▾
Named route Length 160 km National walking route
Show on map Sussex Ouse Valley Way Walking route 67 km ▾
Named route Length 67 km Regional walking route
Show on map Greenwich Meridian Trail Walking route 440 km ▾
A long-distance walk that follows the line of the Prime Meridian. Inaugurated in 2009, to coincide with the 125th anniversary of the Greenwich Meridian.
Named route Ref GMT Length 440 km Regional walking route
Show on map European walking route E9, Queen Elizabeth Country Park to Jevington Walking route ▾
Named route Ref E9 International walking route
Show on map A Walk at Blackcap, Blackcap Walking route 6.4 km ▾
Enjoy a circular walk around this secluded gem with sunken bostals, a hidden woodland, views over the Weald and fascinating history. 'Bostal' is a Sussex term for a way up a hill on the South Downs. Uneven ground, muddy in wet weather. 1 stile.
Named route Length 6.4 km Duration 02:30 Round trip Local walking route
Show on map 4 signed routes nearby
Signed route nearby
Offham - Lewes Town Centre (ESCC Cycle Route 306) Cycling route ▾
Named route Local cycle route
Show on map Cooksbridge - Lewes Riverside (ESCC Cycle Route 307) Cycling route ▾
Named route Local cycle route
Show on map Ditchling - Cooksbridge (ESCC Cycle Route 206) Cycling route ▾
Named route Local cycle route
Show on map ESCC Route 310 proposed cycle route Cycling route ▾
1 signed route nearby
Signed route nearby
South Downs Way Mountain bike route ▾
Named route Ref 89 National Cycle Network
Show on map 5 public paths nearby
Public paths
Birdshole Lane bridleway · 377 m ▾
Public path bridleway Length 377 m Path type: bridleway
Show on map Birdshole Lane bridleway · 5 m ▾
Public path bridleway Length 5 m Path type: track
Show on map Birdshole Lane bridleway · 299 m ▾
Public path bridleway Length 299 m Path type: track
Show on map ✦ Ancient woodland — continuously wooded since at least 1600 AD. A rare and irreplaceable habitat, rich in biodiversity and historical character.
Weather for this location Next 14 days Nearby places Useful places within 5 km
All Historic
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id: 118a1cd0-da1c-49eb-b792-a0862ea5f9e4
UK green spaces mapped from open public data — so anyone can find the woodland, trail, or nature reserve closest to them.
© 2026 Glade · Made with care for UK green spaces
Wildlife to spot
7,668 records · National Biodiversity Network
▾
Wildlife to spot 7,668 records · National Biodiversity Network Fieldfare · Blackbird · Woodpigeon · Wren · Great Tit +43
Fieldfare Turdus pilaris Blackbird Turdus merula Woodpigeon Columba palumbus Wren Troglodytes troglodytes Great Tit Parus major Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus Robin Erithacus rubecula Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs Magpie Pica pica Rook Corvus frugilegus Herring Gull Larus argentatus Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus Treecreeper Certhia familiaris Carrion Crow Corvus corone Goldcrest Regulus regulus Nuthatch Sitta europaea Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major House Sparrow Passer domesticus Grey Heron Ardea cinerea Stonechat Saxicola rubicola Jackdaw Coloeus monedula Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis Skylark Alauda arvensis Canada Goose Branta canadensis Rock Dove Columba livia Mute Swan Cygnus olor Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula Coot Fulica atra Jay Garrulus glandarius Pheasant Phasianus colchicus Starling Sturnus vulgaris Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba yarrellii Kingfisher Alcedo atthis Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla Song Thrush Turdus philomelos Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo Green Woodpecker Picus viridis Dunnock Prunella modularis Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita Moorhen Gallinula chloropus Linnet Linaria cannabina Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Redwing Turdus iliacus Ciconia ciconia ciconia Ciconia ciconia ciconia Long-eared Bat species
Long-eared Bat species Plecotus 🐸 Amphibians 2 species
autumn
2025 ▾
Common Toad · Great Crested Newt
Common Toad Bufo bufo Great Crested Newt Triturus cristatus Brown Hawker · Southern Hawker · Small Red-eyed Damselfly · Minotaur Beetle · Emperor Dragonfly +14
Brown Hawker Aeshna grandis2025 Southern Hawker Aeshna cyanea2025 Small Red-eyed Damselfly Erythromma viridulum2025 Minotaur Beetle Typhaeus typhoeus2025 Emperor Dragonfly Anax imperator2025 Glow-worm Lampyris noctiluca 🌿 Plants 83 species
spring summer
2025 ▾
Bracken · Wild Angelica · Common Hemp-nettle · Butcher's-broom · Rose +78
Bracken Pteridium aquilinum Wild Angelica Angelica sylvestris Common Hemp-nettle Galeopsis tetrahit Butcher's-broom Ruscus aculeatus Rose Rosa Field Maple Acer campestre Gypsywort Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas
Wildlife to spot 7,668 records · National Biodiversity Network Fieldfare · Blackbird · Woodpigeon · Wren · Great Tit +43
Fieldfare Turdus pilaris Blackbird Turdus merula Woodpigeon Columba palumbus Wren Troglodytes troglodytes Great Tit Parus major Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus Robin Erithacus rubecula Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs Magpie Pica pica Rook Corvus frugilegus Herring Gull Larus argentatus Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus Treecreeper Certhia familiaris Carrion Crow Corvus corone Goldcrest Regulus regulus Nuthatch Sitta europaea Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major House Sparrow Passer domesticus Grey Heron Ardea cinerea Stonechat Saxicola rubicola Jackdaw Coloeus monedula Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis Skylark Alauda arvensis Canada Goose Branta canadensis Rock Dove Columba livia Mute Swan Cygnus olor Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula Coot Fulica atra Jay Garrulus glandarius Pheasant Phasianus colchicus Starling Sturnus vulgaris Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba yarrellii Kingfisher Alcedo atthis Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla Song Thrush Turdus philomelos Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo Green Woodpecker Picus viridis Dunnock Prunella modularis Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita Moorhen Gallinula chloropus Linnet Linaria cannabina Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Redwing Turdus iliacus Ciconia ciconia ciconia Ciconia ciconia ciconia Long-eared Bat species
Long-eared Bat species Plecotus 🐸 Amphibians 2 species
autumn
2025 ▾
Common Toad · Great Crested Newt
Common Toad Bufo bufo Great Crested Newt Triturus cristatus Brown Hawker · Southern Hawker · Small Red-eyed Damselfly · Minotaur Beetle · Emperor Dragonfly +14
Brown Hawker Aeshna grandis2025 Southern Hawker Aeshna cyanea2025 Small Red-eyed Damselfly Erythromma viridulum2025 Minotaur Beetle Typhaeus typhoeus2025 Emperor Dragonfly Anax imperator2025 Glow-worm Lampyris noctiluca 🌿 Plants 83 species
spring summer
2025 ▾
Bracken · Wild Angelica · Common Hemp-nettle · Butcher's-broom · Rose +78
Bracken Pteridium aquilinum Wild Angelica Angelica sylvestris Common Hemp-nettle Galeopsis tetrahit Butcher's-broom Ruscus aculeatus Rose Rosa Field Maple Acer campestre Gypsywort Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas
2025
2025
Golden-ringed Dragonfly Cordulegaster boltonii2025
Golden-ringed Dragonfly Cordulegaster boltonii2025
16-spot Ladybird Tytthaspis sedecimpunctata
16-spot Ladybird Tytthaspis sedecimpunctata
Willow Emerald Damselfly Chalcolestes viridis2025
Willow Emerald Damselfly Chalcolestes viridis2025
Mesembrina meridiana Mesembrina meridiana2025
Mesembrina meridiana Mesembrina meridiana2025
Banded Demoiselle Calopteryx splendens2025
Banded Demoiselle Calopteryx splendens2025
Dark Bush-cricket Pholidoptera griseoaptera2025
Dark Bush-cricket Pholidoptera griseoaptera2025
Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans2025
Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans2025
White-legged Damselfly Platycnemis pennipes2025
White-legged Damselfly Platycnemis pennipes2025
Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis2025
Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis2025
Broad-bodied Chaser Libellula depressa2025
Broad-bodied Chaser Libellula depressa2025
Large Red Damselfly Pyrrhosoma nymphula2025
Large Red Damselfly Pyrrhosoma nymphula2025
Hairy Dragonfly Brachytron pratense2025
Hairy Dragonfly Brachytron pratense2025
Downy Emerald Cordulia aenea2025
Downy Emerald Cordulia aenea2025 Lycopus europaeus
Lycopus europaeus
Silverweed Potentilla anserina
Silverweed Potentilla anserina
Common Dog-violet Viola riviniana
Common Dog-violet Viola riviniana
Aspen Populus tremula
Aspen Populus tremula
False-brome Brachypodium sylvaticum
False-brome Brachypodium sylvaticum
Slender Rush Juncus tenuis
Slender Rush Juncus tenuis
Taraxacum agg. Taraxacum agg.
Taraxacum agg. Taraxacum agg.
Herb-Robert Geranium robertianum
Herb-Robert Geranium robertianum
Wood Speedwell Veronica montana
Wood Speedwell Veronica montana
Wood-sedge Carex sylvatica
Wood-sedge Carex sylvatica
Red Campion Silene dioica
Red Campion Silene dioica
Broad-leaved Pondweed Potamogeton natans
Broad-leaved Pondweed Potamogeton natans
Common Bird's-foot-trefoil Lotus corniculatus
Common Bird's-foot-trefoil Lotus corniculatus
Water-pepper Persicaria hydropiper
Water-pepper Persicaria hydropiper
Carline Thistle Carlina vulgaris
Carline Thistle Carlina vulgaris
Purple Moor-grass Molinia caerulea
Purple Moor-grass Molinia caerulea
Greater Plantain Plantago major
Greater Plantain Plantago major
Yorkshire-fog Holcus lanatus
Yorkshire-fog Holcus lanatus
Yellow Iris Iris pseudacorus
Yellow Iris Iris pseudacorus
Scots Pine Pinus sylvestris
Scots Pine Pinus sylvestris
Hazel Corylus avellana
Hazel Corylus avellana
Hogweed Heracleum sphondylium
Hogweed Heracleum sphondylium
Tormentil Potentilla erecta
Tormentil Potentilla erecta
Water-plantain Alisma plantago-aquatica
Water-plantain Alisma plantago-aquatica
Male-fern Dryopteris filix-mas
Male-fern Dryopteris filix-mas
Lesser Spearwort Ranunculus flammula
Lesser Spearwort Ranunculus flammula
Alder Buckthorn Frangula alnus
Alder Buckthorn Frangula alnus
Wood Sage Teucrium scorodonia
Wood Sage Teucrium scorodonia
Selfheal Prunella vulgaris
Selfheal Prunella vulgaris
Wood Dock Rumex sanguineus
Wood Dock Rumex sanguineus
Creeping Buttercup Ranunculus repens
Creeping Buttercup Ranunculus repens
Broad-leaved Willowherb Epilobium montanum
Broad-leaved Willowherb Epilobium montanum
Hornbeam Carpinus betulus
Hornbeam Carpinus betulus
Bristly Oxtongue Helminthotheca echioides
Bristly Oxtongue Helminthotheca echioides
Narcissus agg. Narcissus agg.
Narcissus agg. Narcissus agg.
Smooth Sow-thistle Sonchus oleraceus
Smooth Sow-thistle Sonchus oleraceus
Soft-brome Bromus hordeaceus
Soft-brome Bromus hordeaceus
Meadow Vetchling Lathyrus pratensis
Meadow Vetchling Lathyrus pratensis
Sweet Violet Viola odorata
Sweet Violet Viola odorata
Field Horsetail Equisetum arvense
Field Horsetail Equisetum arvense
Stinking Iris Iris foetidissima
Stinking Iris Iris foetidissima
Veronica hederifolia subsp. hederifolia Veronica hederifolia subsp. hederifolia
Veronica hederifolia subsp. hederifolia Veronica hederifolia subsp. hederifolia
Common Mouse-ear Cerastium fontanum
Common Mouse-ear Cerastium fontanum
Greater Stitchwort Stellaria holostea
Greater Stitchwort Stellaria holostea
Lesser Celandine Ficaria verna
Lesser Celandine Ficaria verna
Procumbent Pearlwort Sagina procumbens
Procumbent Pearlwort Sagina procumbens
Lime Tilia cordata x platyphyllos = T. x europaea
Lime Tilia cordata x platyphyllos = T. x europaea
Germander Speedwell Veronica chamaedrys
Germander Speedwell Veronica chamaedrys
Garlic Mustard Alliaria petiolata
Garlic Mustard Alliaria petiolata
Yew Taxus baccata
Yew Taxus baccata
Garden Grape-hyacinth Muscari armeniacum
Garden Grape-hyacinth Muscari armeniacum
Scentless Mayweed Tripleurospermum inodorum
Scentless Mayweed Tripleurospermum inodorum
Thyme-leaved Speedwell Veronica serpyllifolia
Thyme-leaved Speedwell Veronica serpyllifolia
Primrose Primula vulgaris
Primrose Primula vulgaris
Rough Meadow-grass Poa trivialis
Rough Meadow-grass Poa trivialis
Thale Cress Arabidopsis thaliana
Thale Cress Arabidopsis thaliana
Common Nettle Urtica dioica
Common Nettle Urtica dioica
Common Mallow Malva sylvestris
Common Mallow Malva sylvestris
Bay Laurus nobilis
Bay Laurus nobilis
Hedge Woundwort Stachys sylvatica
Hedge Woundwort Stachys sylvatica
Common Vetch Vicia sativa
Common Vetch Vicia sativa
Common Ragwort Jacobaea vulgaris
Common Ragwort Jacobaea vulgaris
Bush Vetch Vicia sepium
Bush Vetch Vicia sepium
Creeping Bent Agrostis stolonifera
Creeping Bent Agrostis stolonifera
Field Forget-me-not Myosotis arvensis
Field Forget-me-not Myosotis arvensis
False-acacia Robinia pseudoacacia
False-acacia Robinia pseudoacacia
Ivy Hedera helix
Ivy Hedera helix
Prickly Sow-thistle Sonchus asper
Prickly Sow-thistle Sonchus asper
Traveller's-joy Clematis vitalba
Traveller's-joy Clematis vitalba
Dogwood Cornus sanguinea
Dogwood Cornus sanguinea
Dog's Mercury Mercurialis perennis
Dog's Mercury Mercurialis perennis
Bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta
Bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta
White Clover Trifolium repens
White Clover Trifolium repens
Meadow Buttercup Ranunculus acris
Meadow Buttercup Ranunculus acris
Daisy Bellis perennis
Daisy Bellis perennis
Broad-leaved Dock Rumex obtusifolius
Broad-leaved Dock Rumex obtusifolius
Nipplewort Lapsana communis
Nipplewort Lapsana communis Events & activities nearby Switch provider to compare local events, tours and bookable activities.
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