Visit our nature reserves

We manage over 30 nature reserves across Sussex that people can explore and enjoy.

Important. Please note that dogs (except assistance dogs) are not allowed at Woods Mill nature reserve at any time. 

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In this section

Woods Mill

A mixture of wetland and woodland habitats.

Rye Harbour

A large coastal reserve with vegetated shingle, saltmarsh and reedbed

Ditchling Beacon

Panoramic views of the Weald from this Iron Age hillfort site of chalk grassland and scrub

Ebernoe Common

Varied ancient wood pasture with ponds, streams, meadows and reclaimed arable land under conversion back to woodland

Eridge Rocks

A majestic sandstone rock outcrop among mixed woodland

Iping and Stedham Commons

Iping and Stedham Commons represent some of the best that this scarce heathland habitat can offer. As rich in atmosphere as it is in wildlife.

Malling Down

Superb chalk grassland and scrub with many typical and rare flowers and butterflies, all within easy walking distance of Lewes town centre

Marline Valley

A very rich wooded valley above a gill stream with meadows, ponds and scrub

The Mens

A large wild area of ancient woodland in the Low Weald.

Old Lodge

Open vistas of heather, with areas of pine woodland, set in the Ashdown Forest

Seaford Head

Seaford Head is the best spot to enjoy the iconic view of the majestic Seven Sisters cliffs.

Southerham Farm

Picturesque rolling downland with chalk grassland flowers and butterflies, set in a working livestock farm as part of the wider Malling Downs area.

Amberley Wildbrooks

Grazing marsh and ditches in a floodplain landscape important for rare birds, insects and plants

Brickfield Meadow

A good example of an unimproved Wealden meadow

Burton and Chingford Ponds

A microcosm of different habitats within one site - various woodland, carr, wet and dry heath, two large ponds and bogs

Butcherlands

Former arable land reverting to wood pasture, by a process of natural regeneration and low intensity grazing

Cooksbridge Meadow

A quiet, peaceful pasture and a small woodland backing onto a stream

Filsham Reedbed

A large reedbed with ditches and lagoons, set in a river valley floodplain

Flatropers Wood

A peaceful mixed woodland of great variety with streams and an open heathy area

Gillham Woods

A small but characterful oak woodland surviving within an area of modern housing

Graffham Common

Pine plantation on ancient wet and dry heaths with a lovely acid pond.

Levin Down

A superb example of chalk grassland and scrub, rich in flowers and butterflies

Leythorne Meadow

A delightful wet meadow just south of Chichester

Pevensey Marshes

A large area of grazing marsh with numerous ditches and pools

Selwyns Wood

A mixture of woodland types with heathy glades and streams

Waltham Brooks

Grazing marsh with a large open water area important for birds.

West Dean Woods

Traditional hazel coppice woodland with oak standards, and a large colony of wild daffodils

Withdean Woods

A wooded hillside - close to the centre of Brighton

Smaller reserves

Across Sussex, the Trust owns a number of wonderful but tiny nature reserves that for a number of reasons are difficult to access. Some are also home to species that are particularly sensitive to disturbance. These reserves are not open to the public, access is by prior arrangement only.