Woods Mill Nature Reserve

Woods Mill is a mixture of wetland and woodland habitats. Headquarters of the Sussex Wildlife Trust. Please note that dogs (except assistance dogs) are not allowed at Woods Mill nature reserve at any time.

•   Woods Mill nature reserve map

Woods Mill is the headquarters of Sussex Wildlife Trust and an environmental education centre. Woods Mill is a prime example of what the wider countryside once contained. Visitors can walk past the old ponds and lake, through the ancient woodland, alongside the streams and waterways into the unimproved meadows with their wild hedgerows – habitats all contained within its 47 acres. This variety of habitat attracts an impressive number of species including mammals, insects, amphibians and birds.

Woods Mill is the headquarters of Sussex Wildlife Trust and an environmental education centre. Woods Mill is a prime example of what the wider countryside once contained. Visitors can walk past the old ponds and lake, through the ancient woodland, alongside the streams and waterways into the unimproved meadows with their wild hedgerows – habitats all contained within its 47 acres. This variety of habitat attracts an impressive number of species including mammals, insects, amphibians and birds.

Woods Mill Nature Reserve is open throughout the year, with a car park, bike racks and toilets. There is no charge but donations are welcome. 

The Horsebox Cafe is currently closed.

Sorry no dogs (except assistance dogs).

Woods Mill Scrapes

This winter, Woods Mill Nature Reserve embarked on a transformative project, creating shallow scrapes. These distinctive shapes provide habitat for wildlife and cleverly retain water post-rain.

We’ve already seen Green Sandpipers exploring the edges, and expect summer guests like Turtle Doves and House Martins using the scrapes to drink or collect nesting material.

Over time, witness the transformation from tidy edges into lush, untamed landscapes with tussocky structures, providing a haven for dragonfly nymphs to flourish and take their first flights.