Where to see… orchids
By Charlotte Owen
Communications Officer
There are about 56 species of orchid native to the UK and 23 of those can be found across Sussex Wildlife Trust’s nature reserves.
These are some of the best reserves to visit in search of beautiful and elusive wild orchids. Click here for handy guide to some of the commonly seen orchids in Sussex.
Ditchling Beacon
This downland nature reserve is one of the highest points on the South Downs with fantastic panoramic views. It’s also our most orchid-rich nature reserve, with ten species found here. Alongside many of the more common orchids, look out for two rarities – the Musk Orchid and Marsh Fragrant-orchid. Searching for Musk Orchids is a challenge though – they are small and difficult to see even in the short sward, and they are mostly found on the steepest slopes.
Find out more about this nature reserve.
- Early Purple Orchid
- Common Twayblade
- Common Spotted-orchid
- Fragrant Orchid
- Greater Butterfly-orchid
- Pyramidal Orchid
- Marsh Fragrant-orchid
- Musk Orchid
- Bee Orchid
- Fly Orchid
Malling Down and Southerham Farm
These downland nature reserves are exceptional examples of chalk grassland habitat, located on the fringes of Lewes. Common Spotted and Fragrant Orchids are frequently seen in the early summer on the sheltered slopes of the northerly quarries. The rarer Musk and Frog Orchids are barely 5cm tall and harder to find. It’s also worth visiting the nextdoor Mount Caburn National Nature Reserve to see the largest colony of Burnt Orchids in the south.
Find out more about this nature reserve
- Early Purple
- Common Twayblade
- Common Spotted-orchid
- Fragrant Orchid
- Burnt Orchid
- Pyramidal Orchid
- Frog Orchid
- Musk Orchid
- Bee Orchid
Woods Mill
A selection of the more common orchids grow here, including the very unusual Birds’ Nest Orchid. This woodland species is unique because it lacks chlorophyll, instead relying on fungi in the soil to provide the nutrients it needs. As a result the plant is brown rather than green, and the name refers to the appearance of its unseen but vital root system, which looks like a tangled bird’s nest.
Find out more about this nature reserve
- Common Spotted-orchid
- Birds’ Nest Orchid
- Bee Orchid
- Early Purple Orchid
- Broad-leaved Helleborine
Seaford Head
This is the best place to enjoy spectacular views of the Seven Sisters and Cuckmere Valley and a fantastic site for wild flowers. Green-winged Orchids can be found within the golf course by the fairways in May.
Find out more about this nature reserve
- Early Purple Orchid
- Green-winged Orchid
- Common Twayblade
- Common Spotted-orchid
- Pyramidal Orchid
- Bee Orchid
Rye Harbour Nature Reserve
Hundreds of Pyramidal Orchids grow at the north end of Castle Water and this is one of the few sites in East Sussex where you can see Bee Orchids, which usually favour chalk soils in the West. However, the star orchid here is the very rare Marsh Helleborine. We have been looking after the population here for 30 years, making sure it isn’t shaded out by willows and Bramble. When the colony was first discovered there were just nine flower spikes but now there are more than 500. Thanks to the creation of more wetland habitat at Castle Water, a second colony of more than 100 spikes has also established.
- Pyramidal Orchid
- Common Spotted-orchid
- Bee Orchid
- Marsh Helleborine
Find out more about this nature reserve
When looking for orchids, it’s worth noting that they can be temperamental. They will sometimes appear one year but not the next, and numbers can vary. The species listed above have all been recorded on site but may not all appear every year.
A guide to the flowering times of some of the orchid species found on our nature reserves
Comments
There are extensive displays of orchids on Heyshott Down above the village of Heyshott, West Sussex. Orchid walks will be taken by guides from The Murray Downland trust on Sunday, 11th June at 2.30 and 3pm starting from the village hall. Cream teas will be available.
08 Jun 2023 11:33:00
I enjoy many wild orchids on the slopes of the Trundle – one of my favourite walks.
Also many cowslips and primroses and wild scabious.
08 Jun 2023 11:48:00
Very informative, thank you and well done on your prestving of such beautiful flowers.
08 Jun 2023 12:07:00
I’ve seen and reported a lizard orchid from a few back near Beachy Head also seen by others one solitary plant
Any more records from Sussex more recently?
Thanks
08 Jun 2023 18:10:00
Sussex Wildlife Trust:
Paul Harmes from SBRS did a talk about Lizard orchids for SxBRC in 2021: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdQ-Ks3flYs
and there’s an article by him on the SBRS blog here: https://www.sussexflora.org.uk/2021/07/2021-update-on-the-status-of-sussexs-rare-and-scarce-plants/
We haven’t heard of anything this year yet,, but the 'Flora of Sussex' book contains distribution maps.
What about Heyshott Down in West Sussex. There are many rare orchids there.
08 Jun 2023 21:02:00
Sussex Wildlife Trust:
What we've listed is which of our reserves have orchids. There are lots of other lovely wild places in Sussex too of course!
This is really informative, thank you. We have a beautiful. Bee Orchid, that has popped up in our garden in Steyning. She’s a delight and a beautiful moving in gift from Mother Earth!
09 Jun 2023 03:50:00
Fascinating
16 May 2024 11:13:00
Thank you so much for your information on orchids. When i run on the South Downs and through the hedgerows I like to count how many different wild flowers I can spot and name. During the course of an hour in late June it can reach 60. On my last run from Devils Dyke to Mile Oak yesterday I got to 31.
16 May 2024 11:48:00
Could you give some sites in West Sussex, I find you are very biased towards East Sussex and ignore us. There must be many places that have orchids in West Sussex too!
16 May 2024 12:13:00
Sussex Wildlife Trust:
Hi Sarah, our Levin Down Nature Reserve near Singleton has rich chalk grassland, including orchid species.
I would have been disappointed if I hadn’t identified all the wildflower species though you made it harder by printing the Red Dead Nettle as purple. I can always learn something from the additional comments so they are helpful, as is the Orchid distribution chart. We stopped mowing our small paddock in Iford some years ago and now have a lovely show of Pyramidal Orchids.
16 May 2024 13:56:00
Thank you for your interesting messages
17 May 2024 10:44:00
Enjoyed completing the quiz and the information about the orchids.
21 May 2024 18:41:00
Sussex Wildlife Trust:
Great to hear
Absolutely super. Unfortunately I cannot get out as much nowadays. I have seen all the orchids illustrated over the years here in Sussex, and an article l like this really thrills me. Thank you
Shirley S
06 Jun 2024 11:42:00
Loads of orchids on Wostonbury Hill at the moment. Includes Sword-leaved Heleborine, Pyramidal Orchid, Common Spotted Orchid, Man Orchid, Common Twayblade, Fly Orchid, Greater (and lesser) Butterfly orchids, Bee Orchid, and Fragrant Orchid. Early Purple orchids also present, but specimens rather past their best.
06 Jun 2024 12:01:00