Westlain Plantation ✦ Ancient woodland 3 ha
Plan your visit
🦉 Wildlife🌿 Foraging🦅 Birds
Public access Free entry Dogs welcome 3 ha
Places › England › South East › Brighton and Hove Getting here
50.85851, -0.08387
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
Plants — Dandelion, Beech, White Dead-nettle +27 more foraging species; Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic
Varies
🦅 Bird watching
Strong match
Birds — Robin, Jackdaw, Woodpigeon +37 more · last seen 2026; Birds — Robin, Jackdaw, Woodpigeon +37 more · last seen 2026
Free
🦋 Insect spotting
Strong match
Insects — Orange Ladybird, Abax parallelepipedus, Black Clock +66 more · last seen 2026; Insects — Orange Ladybird, Abax parallelepipedus, Black Clock +66 more · last seen 2026
Free
🍂 Seasonal nature
Strong match
Plants — Yarrow, Lords-and-Ladies, Early Meadow-grass +263 more · last seen 2026; Plants — Yarrow, Lords-and-Ladies, Early Meadow-grass +263 more · last seen 2026
Free
Dogs allowed — public woodland
Free
Trails nearby Within roughly 5 km 9 signed routes nearby · 3 public paths nearby
Signed route nearby Public paths
Monarch's Way Walking route 990 km ▾
approximate route of Charles II's escape
Named route Ref MW Length 990 km Regional walking route
Show on map South Downs Way Walking route 160 km ▾
Named route Length 160 km National walking route
Show on map Ditchling Beacon to Devil's Dyke, South Downs walk, Sussex East Walking route 11.2 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 route Length 11.2 km Duration 03:00 Point-to-point Regional walking route
Show on map Newhaven-Brighton Clifftop Path Walking route ▾
Named route Local 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 Village Way public footpath · 40 m ▾
Public path public footpath Length 40 m Surface asphalt Path type: tertiary
Show on map Village Way public footpath · 41 m ▾
Public path public footpath Length 41 m Surface asphalt Path type: tertiary
Show on map 92 signed routes nearby
Signed route nearby
Undercliff Walk Cycling route ▾
Named route Local cycle route
Show on map The Level Cycling route ▾
Named route Local cycle route
Show on map Preston Street contraflow lane Cycling route ▾
Named route Local cycle route
Show on map Church Road cycle contraflow/cut-throughs Cycling route ▾
Named route Local cycle route
Show on map National Cycle Route 20 Pyecombe to Brighton Cycling route ▾
Named route Ref 20 National Cycle Network
Show on map National Cycle Route 2 Brighton to Worthing Cycling route ▾
Named route Ref 2 National Cycle Network
Show on map 1 signed route nearby
Signed route nearby
South Downs Way Mountain bike route ▾
Named route Ref 89 National Cycle Network
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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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
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Wildlife to spot
21,516 records · National Biodiversity Network
▾
Wildlife to spot 21,516 records · National Biodiversity Network 🐦 Birds 22 species
spring autumn winter
2026 ▾
Robin · Jackdaw · Herring Gull · Rook · Goldfinch +17
Robin Erithacus rubecula Jackdaw Coloeus monedula Herring Gull Larus argentatus2025 Rook Corvus frugilegus2025 Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus2025 Woodpigeon Columba palumbus2025 Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus Carrion Crow Corvus corone Great Tit Parus major2025 Song Thrush Turdus philomelos2025 Magpie Pica pica2025 Blackbird Turdus merula Green Woodpecker Picus viridis Common Gull Larus canus2025 Goldcrest Regulus regulus2025 Raven Corvus corax Stock Dove Columba oenas Starling Sturnus vulgaris2025 Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea2025 Wren Troglodytes troglodytes2025 Mallard Anas platyrhynchos2025 🐸 Amphibians 2 species
winter spring
2026 ▾
Common Frog · Smooth Newt
Common Frog Rana temporaria Smooth Newt Lissotriton vulgaris 🐝 Insects 16 species
winter spring
2026 ▾
Orange Ladybird · 7-spot Ladybird · Scathophaga stercoraria · Dark-edged Bee-fly · Black Clock +11
Orange Ladybird Halyzia sedecimguttata 7-spot Ladybird Coccinella septempunctata Scathophaga stercoraria Scathophaga stercoraria Dark-edged Bee-fly Bombylius major Black Clock Pterostichus madidus Snail Hunter Cychrus caraboides Lords-and-Ladies · Early Meadow-grass · Lesser Celandine · Yew · Yarrow +54
Lords-and-Ladies Arum maculatum Early Meadow-grass Poa infirma Lesser Celandine Ficaria verna Yew Taxus baccata Yarrow Achillea millefolium Garden Grape-hyacinth Muscari armeniacum Gorse Ulex europaeus Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas
Wildlife to spot 21,516 records · National Biodiversity Network 🐦 Birds 22 species
spring autumn winter
2026 ▾
Robin · Jackdaw · Herring Gull · Rook · Goldfinch +17
Robin Erithacus rubecula Jackdaw Coloeus monedula Herring Gull Larus argentatus2025 Rook Corvus frugilegus2025 Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus2025 Woodpigeon Columba palumbus2025 Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus Carrion Crow Corvus corone Great Tit Parus major2025 Song Thrush Turdus philomelos2025 Magpie Pica pica2025 Blackbird Turdus merula Green Woodpecker Picus viridis Common Gull Larus canus2025 Goldcrest Regulus regulus2025 Raven Corvus corax Stock Dove Columba oenas Starling Sturnus vulgaris2025 Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea2025 Wren Troglodytes troglodytes2025 Mallard Anas platyrhynchos2025 🐸 Amphibians 2 species
winter spring
2026 ▾
Common Frog · Smooth Newt
Common Frog Rana temporaria Smooth Newt Lissotriton vulgaris 🐝 Insects 16 species
winter spring
2026 ▾
Orange Ladybird · 7-spot Ladybird · Scathophaga stercoraria · Dark-edged Bee-fly · Black Clock +11
Orange Ladybird Halyzia sedecimguttata 7-spot Ladybird Coccinella septempunctata Scathophaga stercoraria Scathophaga stercoraria Dark-edged Bee-fly Bombylius major Black Clock Pterostichus madidus Snail Hunter Cychrus caraboides Lords-and-Ladies · Early Meadow-grass · Lesser Celandine · Yew · Yarrow +54
Lords-and-Ladies Arum maculatum Early Meadow-grass Poa infirma Lesser Celandine Ficaria verna Yew Taxus baccata Yarrow Achillea millefolium Garden Grape-hyacinth Muscari armeniacum Gorse Ulex europaeus Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas
Syrphus Syrphus
Syrphus Syrphus
Oxystoma pomonae Oxystoma pomonae2025
Oxystoma pomonae Oxystoma pomonae2025
Eristalis tenax Eristalis tenax
Eristalis tenax Eristalis tenax
Cream-spot Ladybird Calvia quattuordecimguttata
Cream-spot Ladybird Calvia quattuordecimguttata
14-spot Ladybird Propylea quattuordecimpunctata
14-spot Ladybird Propylea quattuordecimpunctata
Phloiophilus edwardsii Phloiophilus edwardsii
Phloiophilus edwardsii Phloiophilus edwardsii
Brown Tree Ant Lasius brunneus2025
Brown Tree Ant Lasius brunneus2025
Acericerus heydenii Acericerus heydenii2025
Acericerus heydenii Acericerus heydenii2025
Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis2025
Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis2025
Tree Hopper Centrotus cornutus2025
Tree Hopper Centrotus cornutus2025
Cock's-foot Dactylis glomerata
Cock's-foot Dactylis glomerata
Daisy Bellis perennis
Daisy Bellis perennis
Foxglove Digitalis purpurea
Foxglove Digitalis purpurea
Grey-cushioned Grimmia Grimmia pulvinata
Grey-cushioned Grimmia Grimmia pulvinata
White Dead-nettle Lamium album
White Dead-nettle Lamium album
Beech Fagus sylvatica2025
Beech Fagus sylvatica2025
Cherry Laurel Prunus laurocerasus
Cherry Laurel Prunus laurocerasus
Japanese Cherry Prunus serrulata
Japanese Cherry Prunus serrulata
Horse-chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum
Horse-chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum
Greater Celandine Chelidonium majus
Greater Celandine Chelidonium majus
Knapweed Centaurea
Knapweed Centaurea
Slender Speedwell Veronica filiformis
Slender Speedwell Veronica filiformis
Primrose Primula vulgaris
Primrose Primula vulgaris
Fennel Foeniculum vulgare
Fennel Foeniculum vulgare
Alder Alnus glutinosa
Alder Alnus glutinosa
Pink Shepherd's-purse Capsella rubella
Pink Shepherd's-purse Capsella rubella
Lesser Trefoil Trifolium dubium
Lesser Trefoil Trifolium dubium
Cowslip Primula veris
Cowslip Primula veris
Alexanders Smyrnium olusatrum
Alexanders Smyrnium olusatrum
Black Medick Medicago lupulina
Black Medick Medicago lupulina
Blackthorn Prunus spinosa
Blackthorn Prunus spinosa
Coltsfoot Tussilago farfara
Coltsfoot Tussilago farfara
Borage Borago officinalis
Borage Borago officinalis
Wood Forget-me-not Myosotis sylvatica
Wood Forget-me-not Myosotis sylvatica
Butterfly-bush Buddleja davidii
Butterfly-bush Buddleja davidii
Creeping Buttercup Ranunculus repens
Creeping Buttercup Ranunculus repens
Cherry Prunus
Cherry Prunus
Broad-leaved Dock Rumex obtusifolius
Broad-leaved Dock Rumex obtusifolius
Cut-leaved Crane's-bill Geranium dissectum
Cut-leaved Crane's-bill Geranium dissectum
Ribwort Plantain Plantago lanceolata
Ribwort Plantain Plantago lanceolata
Creeping Cinquefoil Potentilla reptans
Creeping Cinquefoil Potentilla reptans
White Clover Trifolium repens
White Clover Trifolium repens
Cow Parsley Anthriscus sylvestris
Cow Parsley Anthriscus sylvestris
Rue-leaved Saxifrage Saxifraga tridactylites
Rue-leaved Saxifrage Saxifraga tridactylites
Forked Veilwort Metzgeria furcata
Forked Veilwort Metzgeria furcata
Herb-Robert Geranium robertianum
Herb-Robert Geranium robertianum
Cherry Plum Prunus cerasifera
Cherry Plum Prunus cerasifera
Snowdrop Galanthus nivalis
Snowdrop Galanthus nivalis
Ivy-leaved Toadflax Cymbalaria muralis
Ivy-leaved Toadflax Cymbalaria muralis
Smooth Hawk's-beard Crepis capillaris
Smooth Hawk's-beard Crepis capillaris
Common Field-speedwell Veronica persica
Common Field-speedwell Veronica persica
Shepherd's-purse Capsella bursa-pastoris
Shepherd's-purse Capsella bursa-pastoris
Field Madder Sherardia arvensis
Field Madder Sherardia arvensis
Annual Mercury Mercurialis annua
Annual Mercury Mercurialis annua
Petty Spurge Euphorbia peplus
Petty Spurge Euphorbia peplus
Annual Meadow-grass Poa annua
Annual Meadow-grass Poa annua
Scentless Mayweed Tripleurospermum inodorum
Scentless Mayweed Tripleurospermum inodorum
Dandelion Taraxacum
Dandelion Taraxacum
Common Pocket-moss Fissidens taxifolius2025
Common Pocket-moss Fissidens taxifolius2025
Fox-tail Feather-moss Thamnobryum alopecurum2025
Fox-tail Feather-moss Thamnobryum alopecurum2025
Common Nettle Urtica dioica2025
Common Nettle Urtica dioica2025
Silver-moss Bryum argenteum2025
Silver-moss Bryum argenteum2025 