Friends of the South Downs

16/06/2026

Today is !

Enjoy this field of poppies recently captured on the Monarch's Way.

© David Taylor

11/06/2026

Want to make a difference to your local patch of river?

Friends of the South Downs are supporting the Western Sussex Rivers Trust with their citizen science project.

River Guardians is a pioneering citizen science initiative addressing gaps in river health monitoring.
The project equips volunteers with water testing kits, training, and an open-access data platform to contribute to a meaningful, long-term dataset to improve water quality.

Find out more via: https://wsrt.org.uk/get-
involved/water-monitoring

10/06/2026

The Sussex Sunday Walkers group, founded in 1926, are celebrating their centenary with a walk along the iconic South Downs Way.

The event not only commemorates a century of walking but also highlights the rich heritage and friendship that has defined the group since its creation.

This photo was taken near Beacon Hill on the third leg of the South Downs Way walk.

The group will be walking the fourth leg from Cocking Hill car park to Kithurst Hill on 21st June. If you would like to join, please visit https://sussexsundaywalkers.org.uk/our-walking-diary

08/06/2026

Today, volunteers helped to remove invasive non-native Himalayan balsam from a site in Storrington. Despite the rain, we made brilliant progress, part of the collaborative efforts to tackle balsam in this part of the catchment.

Want to learn more about why we need to tackle balsam? Head to our website where you can find an article outlining the impact balsam can have on our waterways.

Fancy joining us for a session? We have a few more dates coming up in Storrington this summer. Get in touch via our website 🔗

Thanks to everyone who came along and got stuck in! 🥾

26/05/2026

Please come along and support the walking festival!

Walk 1: Friday 26th June

Figure of 8 walk around Lurgashall

Friends of the South Downs are pleased to offer a Figure of 8 walk from outside Noah’s Ark Inn in Lurgashall. The great advantage of this walk is that it offers the flexibility of walking just for the morning, just for the afternoon or both! The morning and afternoon walks are both between 6 and 7 miles, but the morning is more demanding in terms of the amount of ascent, including quite a steep climb to the Temple of the Winds.
Morning Walk:
9am / 3.5hrs / 7 miles / Leisurely / Challenging
Meet Point: Lurgashall Village Green GU28 9ET
Notes: The Noah’s Ark Inn offers good food, but it is essential to book if you are planning to eat there.
Afternoon Walk:
2pm / 3 hrs / 6.3 miles / Leisurely / Moderate
Meet Point: Lurgashall Village Green GU28 9ET

All walks are free to attend but booking is essential. Numbers are limited so early booking is recommended to avoid disappointment. Tickets are available online via https://bookwhen.com/haslemeremuseum

14/05/2026

Friends of the South Downs experienced a wonderful nature immersion guided tour of Ebernoe Common Nature Reserve this week with Dr Tony Whitbread.

Tony’s expert eye drew our attention to a range of natural life, from Goldcrests to Nightingales. And we were lucky enough to hear the Nightingales before the onset of a rain shower, as well as Skylarks, Garden Warblers and Woodlarks.

A big thank you to Tony, FSD Trustee, for his thoughtful guidance and knowledge that made for a memorable trip.

Friends of the South Downs are helping to fund vital nature recovery efforts at Ebernoe, including no-fence GPS cattle collars.

If you would like to experience something similar in the future, consider joining the Friends as a member. Details of our membership options, including our free young adult membership, can be found via the link in our bio or via our website 🔗

13/05/2026

12/05/2026

Looking for a walk on the wild side this spring?

We recommend taking a circular stroll through the heathland of Lord's Piece to Burton Park, Barlavington and Sutton, where you may be lucky enough to hear the chirping of Field Crickets brought back from the brink of exctinction.

We are blessed with several areas of rare ancient lowland heaths in West Sussex, Lord’s Piece is one of our favourites.

The views across it to the South Downs in the distance are simply stunning in the early morning light of a sunny day.

It was purchased by the Barlavington Estate in the 1950’s, restored by clearing the WWII conifer plantation, and opened up as access land for the public to enjoy.

Previously thought to be extinct, the Field Cricket was later discovered on the site and has since been reintroduced to other heathlands through a project led by the RSPB. They over-winter in sandy burrows and in May one may be lucky enough to hear the sound males call out to attract a mate.

You can find full details of the self-guided walk on our website walks area.
Photo 1: G. Linturn
Photo 2: B. Johnson
Photo 3: P. Bedford

07/05/2026

Enjoy this scrolling break with the unmistakable sound of the cuckoo captured last week 🤩

Cuckoos are active between April and September, so get out onto the Downs this spring and summer and you might be greeted with a serene soundscape like this one🌞

05/05/2026

Last week we ventured around Castle Hill in search of Balsdean lost village and Early Spider Orchids led by walks leader Judy Robinson.

Balsdean is a deserted hamlet in a remote downland valley east of Brighton, on record since about 1100. It was formerly a chapelry (a district or subdivision of a large parish) of the parish of Rottingdean.

As you can see, we spotted Early Spider Orchids, whose flowers mimic the appearance, scent, and texture of female spider-hunting wasps. This encourages males to attempt to mate with the flower, transferring pollen in the process.

Cowslips and Small Copper butterflies were also seen along the route, expertly captured by wildlife photographer and Friends of the South Downs trustee David Taylor

What a view! The South Downs in all their glory.