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St Mary's Church

📷 Julian P Guffogg · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

WildlifeBirdsSeasonal
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome

Getting here

50.80011, 0.25403

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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

Good to know

  • £Free to visit — no entry charge
  • 🐕Dogs welcome
Parking

Best for

7 activities

Wildlife

Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals, Reptiles; Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals, Reptiles

Free

Bird watching

Birds — Robin, Mute Swan, Jackdaw +55 more · last seen 2026; Birds — Robin, Mute Swan, Jackdaw +55 more · last seen 2026

Free

Seasonal nature

Plants — Bristly Oxtongue, Daisy, Cleavers +202 more · last seen 2026; Plants — Bristly Oxtongue, Daisy, Cleavers +202 more · last seen 2026

Free

Foraging

Plants — Bristly Oxtongue, Alexanders, Common Nettle +28 more foraging species

Varies

Dog walks

Dogs allowed with public access

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — Dark-edged Bee-fly, Dark Bush-cricket, Stenophylax permistus +12 more · last seen 2026; Insects — Dark-edged Bee-fly, Dark Bush-cricket, Stenophylax permistus +12 more · last seen 2026

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

9 signed routes nearby · 12 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Between The South Downs and the Sea Circular Walk, South Downs EastWalking route7.2 km

Start & end in Crowlink, go through meadows & trees, down towards Birling Gap & over 3 of the Seven Sisters. See great coastal views, seasonal wildlife & flower displays. Optional detours to a historic pub & a seaside café. Steep hills, stiles & gates.

Named routeLength 7.2 kmDuration 03:30Round tripLocal walking route
Birling Gap from the Tiger Inn, South Downs EastWalking route4.9 km

Enjoy views over the downs & the East Sussex coast on this circular. By following old drovers' and smuggling routes to the sea from this small downland village you may also feel a sense of the landscape's long history. Gates & short steep sections.

Named routeLength 4.9 kmDuration 01:30Local walking route
European walking route E9, Queen Elizabeth Country Park to JevingtonWalking route
Named routeRef E9International walking route
Alfriston Clergy House to The Long Man of Wilmington, AlfristonWalking route6.9 km
Named routeLength 6.9 kmDuration 02:00Round tripLocal walking route
South Downs Way (Inland Route)Walking route
Named routeRef SDWNational walking route
Hockington Lanepublic footpath · 246 m
Public pathpublic footpathLength 246 mPath type: service
🚴

Cycling

49 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Avenue Verte London ↔ ParisCycling route

English part of Avenue Verte London ↔ Paris, an international cycle route that connects the two capital cities

Named routeRef AVInternational cycle route
Station to Seafront cycle routeCycling route
Named routeProposed Lcn
Stone Cross to Seafront Cycle RouteCycling route
Named routeProposed Lcn
Route 21Cycling route
Named routeRef 21National Cycle Network
Horsey CyclewayCycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route
Route 21Cycling route
Named routeRef 21National Cycle Network
🚵

Mountain biking

6 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
South Downs WayMountain bike route
Named routeRef 89National Cycle Network
Friston Forest Family MTB RouteMountain bike route
Named route
CardiacMountain bike route
Named route
Forest YipMountain bike route
Named route
Alternative, Old South Downs Way Bridleway RouteMountain bike route
Named route
Friston Forest Red MTB RouteMountain bike route
Named route

Wildlife to spot

Photos

The Ratton Chapel, St Mary's church, Willingdon

📷 Julian P Guffogg · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

The Ratton Chapel, St Mary's church, Willingdon

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🌱Hampden ParkUrban park1.3 km→🌱Shinewater ParkUrban park2.4 km→🌱Gildredge ParkUrban park3.5 km→🌱Princes ParkUrban park4.4 km→🏞️SHINEWATER PARKCountry park2.4 km→🌱Gildredge ParkUrban park3.5 km→

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