Nature Reserves
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Nature Reserves
Brighton & Hove has several Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) in and around the city. LNRs provide wild spaces where plants and animals can thrive as they offer a natural environment, in contrast with formal open green spaces such as parks and gardens. As they are still readily accessible to people, LNRs can be near city centres, on the coast or in the countryside.City Wildlife - find out more about the wildlife in Brighton.
Wild Park
Wild Park is one of Brighton & Hove's largest nature reserves and has extensive woodland walks and spectacular views over the city.
The South Downs National Park extends right in to the city here and important species-rich chalk grassland survive on south and north-facing slopes surrounding the recreation ground and on the roughs of Hollingbury Park golf course.
Waterhall
Waterhall Conservation Area is about 15 hectares (38 acres) of chalk downland and scrub between the golf course to the west, the rugby club to the south and farmland to the north. It is an important recreational resource for the local population with its woodland walks and wildlife. It is also in the South Downs National Park.
Bevendean Down
Bevendean Down is a cluster of south and east facing slopes of species-rich chalk grassland, scrub and woodland. It forms Bevendean Down Nature Reserve and is in the South Downs National Park.
Whitehawk Hill
From the top of Whitehawk Hill there are panoramic views over the city to the downs and the sea, including the Isle of Wight on a clear day. Whitehawk Camp, near the top of Whitehawk Hill between the mast and Brighton Racecourse grandstand, is a site of archaeological importance and therefore recognised as becoming the first Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM) in Sussex.
Castle Hill - National Nature Reserve
Castle Hill is an area of rich chalk grassland owned by Brighton & Hove City Council and is in the South Downs National Park. In 1975 46 hectares (114 acres) were designated a National Nature Reserve (NNR), now managed for the council by Natural England who arrange for it to be grazed locally.
Withdean Woods
A cluster of small woodlands along the London to Brighton railway line from Preston Park station north to Coney Hill. Withdean Woods are a Local Nature Reserve (LNR) and a valuable wildlife corridor in an urban area. The mature woodlands support a rich variety of trees including large beech, yew and holly. There is a diverse woodland bird community and native woodland ground flora in places.
The site is also maintained by The Withdean, Westdene Woods & Eldred Avenue Copse Keepers (TWWEACK).
See where Withdean Woods is on a map.
Benfield Hill
Benfield Hill is our oldest Local Nature Reserve (LNR), declared in 1993, and is in the South Downs National Park. There are gentle and more steeply sloping areas facing south and east which support chalk grassland and scrub. The LNR also supports a large population of glow-worms. Sheep have once again been grazing on part of Benfield Hill and will return in winter 2011/12. For more information read the Benfield Hill Management Plan 2011-16 [PDF 2.2MB].
See where Benfield Hill is on a map.
Beacon Hill
Beacon Hill is a Local Nature Reserve (LNR) in the South Downs National Park supporting a range of plants and butterflies associated with chalk grassland, and includes Rottingdean Windmill. The LNR is owned and managed by Brighton & Hove City Council and is supported and advised by Beacon Hill Management Committee.
Sheep have once again been grazing on Beacon Hill and will return December 2011 to February 2012. The area being grazed on Beacon Hill [PDF 680Kb] is the top of the hill which will be grazed in several separate sections.
There is also a new leaflet covering East Brighton [PDF 811Kb].
See where Beacon Hill is on a map.
Ladies Mile
Ladies Mile is a Local Nature Reserve (LNR) stretching from Ladies Mile Road in Patcham up to the top of Carden Avenue in Hollingbury. It is an important green corridor linking with Stanmer Park to the north east. Typical chalk grassland species include large areas of Horse-shoe Vetch and Kidney Vetch. There are also areas of scattered and dense scrub on steeper slopes and a small woodland at the southern end of the site.
See where Ladies Mile is on a map.
Further information
- Access to Nature scheme
- Countryside Code
- South Downs National Park
- Rights of Way
- Open Access and Definitive Map
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