Brighton and Lewes Downs

Brighton and Lewes Downs is a biosphere reserve in South East England stretching from Newhaven to Shoreham-by-Sea with chalk grasslands, coastal zones, and towns linked together. The area contains farmland, nature reserves, and settled areas that create different habitats for wildlife and plants.

The area became a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2014, recognizing its ecological importance and commitment to sustainable development. This status marked official acknowledgment of the region as a model for balancing nature conservation with human activity.

The reserve brings together urban residents and rural communities through environmental learning and local conservation work that shows how people and nature can coexist. You can see how neighborhoods actively participate in protecting the landscape and its wildlife.

You can walk on numerous trails throughout the reserve and visit the Rampion Visitor Centre to learn about local ecosystems. Guided nature tours are also available if you want to see wildlife and plants in their natural setting.

What makes this reserve unusual is that it fully includes towns and villages as part of its ecosystem network, showing how built communities can function within nature. This blend of urban centers and natural spaces is uncommon and makes the region an experiment in sustainable living in populated areas.