Ditchling Common, Protected natural area in East Sussex, England
Description
Ditchling Common is a protected nature site in East Sussex covering about 66 hectares with different habitat types. The land features acidic grassland, bracken, woodland areas, small streams, and a natural pond scattered across it.
History
The land was owned by the Marquess of Abergavenny until 1950, when local commoners purchased it to establish the Common and Tenantry Down Ltd. This community takeover represented a significant shift in how the land was managed.
Culture
The name Ditchling Common reflects its status as shared grazing land managed by the local community. Today it serves as a space where people walk among open heathland, woodland, and grassland throughout the year.
Practical
The northern section is managed by East Sussex County Council as Ditchling Country Park, while the Commoners Association oversees the southern part. Both areas are open for visitors to explore on foot through different routes.
Did you know?
The site displays bluebells in spring that grow among bracken rather than under tree cover like in typical woodlands. This unusual combination of flowering plants and open vegetation creates a distinctive spring display.
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World's End, West Sussex
2.3 km
Wings Place
3.3 km
Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft
3.3 km
Bethel Strict Baptist Chapel, Wivelsfield
1.5 km
Oldland Mill
2.6 km
Ditchling Unitarian Chapel
3.2 km
St John the Evangelist's Church, Burgess Hill
2.6 km
Providence Strict Baptist Chapel, Burgess Hill
2.8 km
Bedelands Farm Nature Reserve
3.1 km
St Wilfrid's Church, Burgess Hill
2.5 km
All Saints United Reformed Church
1.9 km
The Parish Church of St Peter and St John the Baptist
2.5 km
Streat Church
3.5 km
The Parish Church of St Margaret, Ditchling
3.3 km
King's Church Uckfield
2.5 km
Ote Hall Chapel
2.2 km
All Saints
3.1 km
The Bull Hotel
3.3 km
Plumpton Green War Memorial
3.1 km
Lodge And Gateway To The East Of Clayton Priory
3 km
The White Horse Hotel
3.3 km
St Andrew's Church
2 km
K6 Kiosk, Outside Church Lychgate
3.5 km
Ditchling War Memorial
3.3 km
Streat Place
3.4 km
Cotterlings
3.3 km
RAF Chailey WWII Memorial
2.9 km
Great Ote Hall
2 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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