Malling Down Nature Reserve

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

•   Malling Down and Southerham Farm map

Our Downland nature reserves at Malling Down and Southerham Farm sit on the fringes of the East Sussex county town of Lewes, with Malling Down dominating the easterly skyline of this quaint historic town.

Both sit within the chalk massif of the Lewes Downs and are part of the South Downs National Park. They share their space with Glyndbourne and Glynde estates and the Lewes Golf Course. The ancient hillfort of Mount Caburn is found on the south easterly corner of the Lewes Downs overlooking the main stretch of the South Downs separated by the River Ouse and surrounding wet meadows that extend down to the sea at Newhaven. This ancient hillfort is often highlighted by paragliders hanging in mid-air above its earth works.

Recent tree work

Urgent tree work has taken place at Malling Down nature reserve near Lewes . UKPN carried out essential tree safety work relating to ash dieback. The work focussed on mains electricity cable running along the Ringmer road track. All of the Ash trees that have come down were showing heavy signs of dieback. It is a real shame to have to remove this number of trees but we have been left with little choice due to the risk to the public.

Find out more about Ash Dieback here.