Buchan Country Park
Just two miles from the centre of Crawley, you can find this beautiful Site of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCI), which is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), owned by West Sussex County Council. Predominantly an area of wooded heath, it also has areas of Sweet Chestnut coppice, wet woodlands and semi-natural lakes and ponds, which provide the ideal habitat for the many species of dragonflies that the site is well known for. There is ample parking and a visitor centre, selling locally sourced produce, from herbs to honey on a seasonal basis.
Warnham Local Nature Reserve
Another wonderful site in our area, Warnham LNR, on the north west side of Horsham and owned by Horsham District Council, is just 10 minutes’ drive from the centre of town – and yet this often over-looked reserve has a 17-acre millpond, marshland, wildflower meadows, reedbeds and mixed woodland. There is a small charge for entry, and the visitor centre serves tea, coffee and cold snacks.
St Leonard’s Forest
This large area of wooded heath and conifer plantation to the east of Horsham, is owned by Forestry England and access is mainly from the Roost-Hole car park off Hammerpond Road. Just a short drive from the centre of Horsham and you can explore this remaining fragment of ancient royal hunting forest via a network of footpaths, bridleways and cross country cycle tracks. An important site for heathland species such as Adders, Common Lizards, dragonflies and Nightjars.
Tilgate Park
Combined, the two areas of Tilgate Park and Tilgate Forest provide the largest greenspace in the Crawley ‘urban fringe’ for recreation and for wildlife. Tilgate Park is owned and managed by Crawley Borough Council and has recently benefitted from a large scale investment by the Environment Agency to increase the capacity of the main lake, which included the planting of new reedbeds, as well as the removal of large areas of invasive Rhododendron ponticum to return them to being semi-natural deciduous woodland.
Tanyard Meadows
A patchwork of ex-agricultural fields with thick, scrubby edges in NE Horley that are owned by the Local Authority (currently Reigate and Banstead Borough Council) that have the Burstow Stream running along the northern edge, connecting them with another green space on the NW side of Horley (Emlyn Meadows) which is owned and managed for people and wildlife by Horley Town Council.
Leechpool and Owlbeech Woods
Owned by Horsham District Council, these are really one site, situated on the south-east edge of Horsham. Where else can you find a mixed deciduous woodland and heathland area within walking distance from a town centre? Recent management has included thinning some of the mature Sweet Chestnut trees to open up the heathland area, controlling the Bracken in small areas, access improvements and the creation of some ‘leaky dams’ to help hold back excess water after heavy rainfall.
Newdigate Brickworks
Another example of an old industrial site that has been converted into an important wildlife reserve, this is owned and managed by Surrey Wildlife Trust, with the help of volunteers. Tucked away behind a new housing development, this reserve is another little hidden gem which is well worth a visit, especially in summer, to see the wealth of insect life that is attracted by the diverse mix of habitats found here.
