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← Back🌳 Broadleaved woodland

West Wood

✦ Ancient woodland61 ha

Plan your visit

WildlifeBirdsSeasonal
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome61 ha

Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • ☀️June — canopy now fully closed, creating cool dappled shade even on warm days
  • 🌿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
  • 🌿Ancient woodland — rare wildlife habitat
Parking

Best for

9 activities

Wildlife

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

Free

Bird watching

Birds — Robin, Great Tit, Blue Tit +72 more · last seen 2025; Birds — Robin, Great Tit, Blue Tit +72 more · last seen 2025

Free

Seasonal nature

Ancient woodland — bluebells, fungi and autumn colour; Plants — Field Maple, Sweet Vernal-grass, Wood Anemone +128 more · last seen 2025

Free

Foraging

Plants — Common Nettle, Bramble, Common Sorrel +10 more foraging species; Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic

Varies

Insect spotting

Insects — Willow Emerald Damselfly, Azure Damselfly, Ruddy Darter +51 more · last seen 2026; Insects — Willow Emerald Damselfly, Azure Damselfly, Ruddy Darter +51 more · last seen 2026

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed — public woodland

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

7 signed routes nearby · 60 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
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
Sussex Ouse Valley WayWalking route67 km
Named routeLength 67 kmRegional walking route
Dophin Lesuire Centre to B2272 Public FootpathWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
Ashgrounds WoodWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
Greenwich Meridian TrailWalking route440 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 routeRef GMTLength 440 kmRegional walking route
🚴

Cycling

14 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Green Circle - Bicycle RelationCycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route
Kings WayCycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route
Norther Arc AvenueCycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route
Norther Arc AvenueCycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route
Hurstpierpoint to Downlands Communitiy CollegeCycling route
Named route
Haywards Heath Town Centre to Cuckfield Cycle RouteCycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route
🐴

Horse riding

37 public paths nearby

Public paths
Dobells Lanebridleway · 48 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 48 mSurface asphaltPath type: track
Dobells Lanebridleway · 398 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 398 mSurface asphaltPath type: track
Janes Lanebridleway · 26 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 26 mPath type: tertiary
Eastern Roadbridleway · 151 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 151 mPath type: residential
Dobells Lanebridleway · 2 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 2 mSurface asphaltPath type: track

Wildlife to spot

Photos

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