Wild Park

Wild Park is Brighton & Hove's largest Local Nature Reserve (LNR) and has extensive woodland walks and spectacular views over the city.

Wild Park is Brighton & Hove's largest Local Nature Reserve (LNR) 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. There are also large patches of chalk scrub, grazing fields (popular with seed-eating birds) and a dew pond.

If you would like to get involved with the management work in the park please contact cityparks@brighton-hove.gov.uk and provide a phone number and email address.

Update Summer 2022

Work is currently underway at Wild Park to install new fitness equipment and a multi-use games area (MUGA.) 

The MUGA facility will incorporate football, basketball and two mini five a side football pitches and have a running track on the outside.  

It will be on the former basketball court area in the corner of the park, near the junction of Coldean Lane and Lewes Road. 

We expect work to complete by early autumn 2022.  

Wild Park facilities

Sports Facilities

Services

Points of Interest

  • Bio-diverse grasslands
  • Hollingbury Hill Fort
  • Hollingbury Park golf course

Walks

Report a problem in the park

Have you found a problem at the park? If so, contact us using our online City Parks problem report form. 

Getting there

Brighton City map

Click the map to find the park's location.

Bus
The 23, 24 and 25 buses go past the park every few minutes during the day. Further information and timetables available from the Brighton & Hove Bus company.

Cycling
There are cycle lanes leading to the park from the city centre and various places to secure your bicycle to around the park. For more information on cycling around the city check the Journey On site.

Cars
There is very limited free parking available at the park.

Opening Times
Park: Always open

Pavilion Cafe:

  • Monday to Friday: 7.30am to 2.30pm
  • Saturday and Sunday: 8.30am to 2.30pm.

Don't miss this.....

Wild Park Ski Slope

Situated near the back of the park is what's known locally as the "ski slope".
A challenging hill for any rambler, it takes you up to the Hollingbury Fort and gives stunning views across the city.

Wild Park is also one of our sheep grazing sites.

You can also Dedicate a Bench at this park.

Wild Park Management Plan

This plan covers the period 2012 to 2022. It has be compiled following extensive local consultation where the overarching management principals received support from 69% or more of those who responded

The main aims of the management plan are to

  • Minimise landscape impact to ensure the natural appearance of Wild Park is kept.
  • Improve public access and enjoyment of the park for quiet recreation (including maintaining the current mix of formal and informal paths).
  • Take full account of all aspects of the ecology of the park and ensure that all the key habitats and species of importance are conserved (including regular monitoring).
  • Expand and improve the links between the habitats under particular threat, such as species rich grassland (including maintaining the previously cleared areas by grazing).

Under this plan the area of species rich grassland will be increased to 20% and the area managed by grazing will be increased. 70% of the area will remain as scrub and woodland. 80% of the park will remain unfenced (with fenced areas typically being on the steeper less accessible slopes). Access will be maintained across fenced areas by the provision of gates on exiting paths.

For more information please consult the full management plan (PDF 4.8 MB) or view our Plan Summary (PDF 360 KB) 

Get involved and find out more