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Summer Down

5 ha

📷 Dave Spicer · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

WildlifeBirdsInsects
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome5 ha

Getting here

50.88485, -0.20058

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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

10 activities

Wildlife

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

Free

Bird watching

Birds — Kestrel, Goldfinch, Robin +67 more · last seen 2026; Birds — Kestrel, Goldfinch, Robin +67 more · last seen 2026

Free

Insect spotting

Chalk and limestone grassland — chalkhill blue, adonis blue and rare moths; Insects — 7-spot Ladybird, Eupeodes corollae, Syrphus +83 more · last seen 2025

Free

Foraging

Plants — Dropwort, Hazel, Elder +11 more foraging species; Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic

Varies

Seasonal nature

Plants — Cowslip, Red Campion, Common Spotted-orchid +161 more · last seen 2026; Plants — Cowslip, Red Campion, Common Spotted-orchid +161 more · last seen 2026

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed — public woodland

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

12 signed routes nearby · 8 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Monarch's WayWalking route990 km

approximate route of Charles II's escape

Named routeRef MWLength 990 kmRegional walking route
South Downs WayWalking route160 km
Named routeLength 160 kmNational walking route
Ditchling Beacon to Devil's Dyke, South Downs walk, Sussex EastWalking route11.2 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 routeLength 11.2 kmDuration 03:00Point-to-pointRegional walking route
Wolstonbury Hill Explore Nature Walk, Sussex EastWalking route5.9 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 routeLength 5.9 kmDuration 02:00-02:30Round tripLocal walking route
Rampart Ramble, Sussex EastWalking route1.3 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 routeLength 1.3 kmDuration 00:30Round tripLocal walking route
🚴

Cycling

56 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Hurstpierpoint to Downlands Communitiy CollegeCycling route
Named route
Hove ParkCycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route
Three Cornered Copse bridlewayCycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route
National Cycle Route 20 Pyecombe to BrightonCycling route
Named routeRef 20National Cycle Network
Route 82Cycling route
Named routeRef 82Point-to-pointRegional cycle route
Burgess Hill - Hassocks Cycle RouteCycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route
🚵

Mountain biking

1 signed route nearby

Signed route nearby
South Downs WayMountain bike route
Named routeRef 89National Cycle Network
🐴

Horse riding

37 public paths nearby

Public paths

No named routes yet. Public paths are shown on the map.

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Cyclists on bridleway across Summer Down

📷 Dave Spicer · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Cyclists on bridleway across Summer Down

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

✦Devil's Dyke hillfortHistoric site700 m→✦Devils Dyke HillfortHistoric site700 m→🌱Westdene WoodsUrban park4.2 km→🌱GreenleasUrban park4.3 km→🌱Benfield ValleyUrban park4.6 km→🌱Easthill ParkUrban park4.9 km→

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