The Low Weald of West Sussex and south Surrey is a diverse medieval landscape of woodland, glades, wetlands, and other wildlife-rich habitats. It is one of the most wooded parts of the UK - almost one-third of the area is covered by woodland and two-thirds of this is ancient woodland dating back many centuries. Indeed, the West Weald is one of the few remaining areas of lowland England that retains some aspects of a functioning natural forest landscape, at the heart of which lie internationally important examples of old-growth forest and pasture woodland at The Mens and Ebernoe Common (both European Special Areas of Conservation and Sussex Wildlife Trust nature reserves), in addition to Chiddingfold Forest Site of Special Scientific Interest (managed by Forest Enterprise).

Significant populations of rare species are present inthe landscape, including threatened bats and woodland butterflies. A number of important species require a landscape-scale focus for their conservation, such as the rare Barbastelle bat which needs bushy hedgerows and woodland corridors to 'commute' along.

Maps

Regional Map showing project area

West Weald Landscape project area