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St Simon and St Jude's Church

WildlifeBirdsSeasonal
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome

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
  • Hikers Rest — makes this an easy full-day family visit without needing to pack food

Good to know

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

Best for

9 activities

Wildlife

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

Free

Bird watching

Birds — Herring Gull, Stonechat, Jackdaw +96 more · last seen 2026; Birds — Herring Gull, Stonechat, Jackdaw +96 more · last seen 2026

Free

Seasonal nature

Plants — Ground-ivy, Common Nettle, Gorse +139 more · last seen 2026; Plants — Ground-ivy, Common Nettle, Gorse +139 more · last seen 2026

Free

Foraging

Plants — Common Nettle, Common Sorrel, Hogweed +17 more foraging species

Varies

Insect spotting

Insects — Common Darter, Broad-bodied Chaser, Emperor Dragonfly +21 more · last seen 2026; Insects — Common Darter, Broad-bodied Chaser, Emperor Dragonfly +21 more · last seen 2026

Free

Family friendly

café

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

13 signed routes nearby · 22 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
South Downs WayWalking route160 km
Named routeLength 160 kmNational walking route
Vanguard WayWalking route111 km
Named routeRef VGWLength 111 kmRegional walking route
Hill and Vale Walk at Frog Firle Farm, South Downs EastWalking route6.4 km

Looping over Cradle & Hindover Hills, see views of secluded farmland & divert to Litlington. Spot geese feeding on the water meadows, birds & insects singing in the hillside shrub, & wild flowers growing in the chalk grassland. Slopes & uneven terrain.

Named routeLength 6.4 kmDuration 02:00Round trip
Seascapes and Saltmarsh Trail at Cuckmere Valley, South Downs EastWalking route2.4 km

Listen to seabirds, taste the salty tang of the air and enjoy sweeping views to the sea, over the South Downs and northwards towards the Weald on this Cuckmere Valley walking trail. The valley floor can be muddy in winter so outdoor shoes are advised.

Named routeLength 2.4 kmDuration 01:30Round tripLocal walking route
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
Sussex Gardenspublic footpath · 115 m
Public pathpublic footpathLength 115 mSurface asphaltPath type: residential
🚴

Cycling

10 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
National Cycle Route 2 Hastings to BrightonCycling route
Named routeRef 2National Cycle Network
Main RouteCycling route80 m
Named routeRef 2Length 80 mNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
Alternative RouteCycling route1 km
Named routeRef 2Length 1 kmNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
Main RouteCycling route3.1 km
Named routeRef 2Length 3.1 kmNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
🚵

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
🐴

Horse riding

14 public paths nearby

Public paths
Downs View Lanebridleway · 55 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 55 mSurface asphaltPath type: unclassified
Downs View Lanebridleway · 280 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 280 mSurface asphaltPath type: unclassified
Michel Dene Roadbridleway · 304 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 304 mSurface asphaltPath type: residential
Michel Dene Roadbridleway · 143 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 143 mSurface asphaltPath type: residential
Downs View Lanebridleway · 33 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 33 mSurface asphaltPath type: unclassified

Wildlife to spot

Photos

St Simon and St Jude Church, East Dean

St Simon and St Jude Church, East Dean

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