List of Sites of Special Scientific Interest in East Sussex facts for kids

East Sussex, and its location within the United Kingdom

In England, special places called Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) are chosen by Natural England, an organization that helps protect nature. When a place is named an SSSI, it gets special protection by law because it's super important for its wildlife or its unique rocks and landforms. As of March 2019, there are 65 SSSIs in East Sussex. About 45 of these are important for their plants and animals, 15 for their geology (rocks and landforms), and 5 are important for both!

Many of these sites have other special titles too. For example, six are Special Areas of Conservation (meaning they are important across Europe), and two are Special Protection Areas for birds. Some are also Ramsar sites, which are internationally important wetland areas. Many are also part of the Geological Conservation Review or Nature Conservation Review, which highlight their importance for science. A few are national nature reserves or local nature reserves, and some are found within beautiful Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Several are managed by groups like the Sussex Wildlife Trust or the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds to help protect them.

East Sussex is a county in South East England. It shares borders with Kent to the north-east, West Sussex to the west, Surrey to the north, and the English Channel to the south. It has about 757,600 people living in an area of 1,795 square kilometers (about 443,500 acres).

What Do the Symbols Mean?
Special Places in East Sussex
Images for kids
See also

What Do the Symbols Mean?

Here's a quick guide to what some of the symbols in the list below mean:

Interest

B = This site is important for its plants and animals (biological interest).
G = This site is important for its rocks and landforms (geological interest).

Public Access

FP = You can only walk on footpaths through the site.
NO = There is no public access to this site.
PL = You can visit the site at certain times only.
PP = You can visit only part of the site.
YES = You can visit most or all of the site.

Other Special Titles

AONB = Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
GCR = Geological Conservation Review site
LNR = Local nature reserve
NCR = Nature Conservation Review site
NNR = National nature reserve
Ramsar = Ramsar site, a wetland important worldwide
RHPG= Register of Historic Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England
RSPB = Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
SAC = Special Area of Conservation
SM = Scheduled monument (an important historical site)
SPA = Special Protection Area for birds
SWT = Sussex Wildlife Trust

Special Places in East Sussex

Here are some of the amazing SSSIs in East Sussex:

Arlington Reservoir

This large reservoir near Polegate is a very important home for birds. More than 10,000 birds spend the winter here, including over 1% of the UK's population of wigeon. Over 170 different types of birds have been seen passing through. The River Cuckmere flows through the reservoir, and there are areas with tall fen plants and exposed shingle.

Interest: B
Area: 100.4 hectares (248 acres)
Public Access: YES
Other Classifications: LNR

Asham Quarry

Asham Quarry

Located near Lewes, this quarry is a key site for understanding Earth's history. It gives us important clues about ancient life and rock layers from the last 100,000 years, including the Last Glacial Period (Ice Age) and the time since then. Scientists have used a method called radiocarbon dating here to find out how old things are.

Interest: G
Area: 2.6 hectares (6.4 acres)
Public Access: NO
Other Classifications: AONB, GCR

Ashburnham Park

Ashburnham Park

This park near Battle used to be a medieval deer park. It has many very old trees that are home to over 160 different types of lichens. The park has woodlands and three beautiful lakes. Many different kinds of birds also nest and raise their young in the woods.

Interest: B
Area: 109.9 hectares (272 acres)
Public Access: FP
Other Classifications: NCR, RHPG

Ashdown Forest

Near Uckfield, Ashdown Forest is one of the largest areas of heathland, natural woodland, and valley bogs in south-east England. It's important for its heathland and woodland birds, its many different insects, and its rare plants. Several streams flow through the forest, some forming large ponds that are home to many water creatures.

Interest: B
Area: 3,213.1 hectares (7,940 acres)
Public Access: YES
Other Classifications: LNR, NCR, SAC, SPA, SWT

Bingletts Wood

Bingletts Wood

Part of this ancient wood near Heathfield is a steep valley. It has a warm and moist climate, which makes it a great place for many mosses and liverworts (small green plants). A clearing in the wood has two ponds with white water lilies and several types of pondweed.

Interest: B
Area: 16.0 hectares (40 acres)
Public Access: NO

Blackhorse Quarry

This quarry near Battle is a very important place for geologists. It's where the Wadhurst Clay Formation Telham Bond Bed was first studied. This rock layer dates back to the Early Cretaceous period. Many fossils have been found here, including turtles, crocodiles, pterosaurs (flying reptiles), and dinosaurs!

Interest: G
Area: 0.2 hectares (0.49 acres)
Public Access: NO
Other Classifications: GCR

Bream Wood

This steep valley wood near Crowborough is home to several types of ferns and mosses that are rare in the local area. It has small ponds and acidic springs. A rare moss called Dicranodontium denudatum grows here, and it's one of only two known places in south-east England where it can be found. The higher, drier parts of the wood are ancient woodland.

Interest: B
Area: 7.8 hectares (19 acres)
Public Access: NO

Brede Pit and Cutting

Near Rye, this site shows where two different rock layers from the Early Cretaceous period meet. It helps scientists understand how the environment changed from shallow rivers to deeper lakes and lagoons millions of years ago. Fossils of plants, fish, and reptiles have been found here.

Interest: G
Area: 0.6 hectares (1.5 acres)
Public Access: NO
Other Classifications: GCR

Brighton to Newhaven Cliffs

Brighton to Newhaven Cliffs

These cliffs near Brighton are very important for their geology. They contain many fossils from the late Santonian and early Campanian stages of the Upper Cretaceous period. They also help us understand the layers of rock from the last 2.6 million years. The cliff face and top are home to some rare plants.

Interest: B, G
Area: 165.4 hectares (409 acres)
Public Access: YES
Other Classifications: GCR, LNR

Burgh Hill Farm Meadow

This meadow near Lewes is cared for in a way that helps wildlife thrive. Scientists have found 67 different types of flowering plants here, including yellow rattle, pepper saxifrage, and green winged orchid. The site also has a ditch, two small ponds, and old hedgerows.

Interest: B
Area: 0.9 hectares (2.2 acres)
Public Access: NO

Buxted Park

This old deer park near Uckfield is very important for its invertebrates (creepy crawlies!), especially those that live on old trees and dead wood. Over fifty types of beetles that are rare in the UK have been found here, and four types are nationally very rare.

Interest: B
Area: 84.7 hectares (209 acres)
Public Access: FP

Castle Hill

Near Brighton, this area is made up of chalk grassland, which is a rare habitat in the UK. It has many flowering plants and areas of scrub that are good for nesting birds. The site is also home to many different insects, including the nationally rare wart-biter grasshopper.

Interest: B
Area: 114.6 hectares (283 acres)
Public Access: YES
Other Classifications: NCR, NNR, SAC

Chailey Common

This common near Lewes has many different habitats, including acidic grassland, marshy grassland, wet and dry heath, a stream, ditches, and ponds. It's a great place to see butterflies like the silver-studded blue, grayling, and pearl-bordered fritillary.

Interest: B
Area: 170.9 hectares (422 acres)
Public Access: YES
Other Classifications: LNR

Clayton to Offham Escarpment

Clayton to Offham Escarpment

Much of this site near Lewes is a steep chalk grassland slope. It's full of flowering plants like glaucous sedge, autumn gentian, and several types of orchid. There are also woodlands and scrub areas, and many different birds nest here.

Interest: B
Area: 422.5 hectares (1,044 acres)
Public Access: PP
Other Classifications: SWT

Combe Haven

This site near Hastings has many different habitats. Most of it is wet meadows formed by river mud, separated by drainage ditches. There's also ancient woodland, and Filsham Reed Beds is the largest area of reed beds in East Sussex. Many birds nest and spend the winter here, and there are lots of different butterflies.

Interest: B
Area: 153.0 hectares (378 acres)
Public Access: PP
Other Classifications: LNR, SWT

Dallington Forest

The Willingford Stream has cut through this forest near Robertsbridge, creating a steep valley with a warm, moist climate. The woodland in the valley is the main feature. In the north, beech and oak trees are common, while in the south, it's mostly oak, birch, and hazel. At the bottom of the valley, you'll find alder trees.

Interest: B
Area: 16.1 hectares (40 acres)
Public Access: YES

Darwell Wood

Several streams run through this broadleaved woodland near Robertsbridge. Most of it is mature hornbeam trees that have been cut back to encourage new growth, with taller oak trees. The ground has a thin layer of plants, mostly mosses. The streams have created steep valleys, and many birds nest here.

Interest: B
Area: 37.5 hectares (93 acres)
Public Access: YES

Ditchling Common

This common near Burgess Hill has several types of acidic heath grassland, along with areas of bracken, scrub, woodland, streams, and a pond. It's home to many butterflies and moths, including some uncommon species like the small pearl-bordered fritillary and green hairstreak butterflies.

Interest: B
Area: 66.5 hectares (164 acres)
Public Access: YES

Dungeness, Romney Marsh and Rye Bay

Dungeness, Romney Marsh and Rye Bay

This huge site near Romney Marsh is important for its saltmarsh, sand dunes, shingle areas with plants, salty lagoons, standing water, ditch systems, and fens. It has many rare and endangered plants and animals. Geologically, it's important because its layers of rock show how the coast has changed over time.

Interest: B, G
Area: 10,172.9 hectares (25,138 acres)
Public Access: PP
Other Classifications: AONB, GCR, LNR, NNR, Ramsar, RSPB, SAC, SPA, SWT

Eridge Green

This ancient woodland near Tunbridge Wells grows on clay with sandstone outcrops that form cliffs up to ten meters high. Plants found on the rocks include Tunbridge filmy fern, and several types of mosses and liverworts.

Interest: B
Area: 8.4 hectares (21 acres)
Public Access: YES
Other Classifications: SWT

Eridge Park

This park near Tunbridge Wells has parkland and ancient woodland. It's nationally important for its lichens, with 167 recorded species, making it one of the richest places for lichens that grow on trees in Britain. It's also important for dragonflies, with 22 species, and 60 types of birds that nest here.

Interest: B
Area: 396.8 hectares (981 acres)
Public Access: YES
Other Classifications: NCR, RHPG

Firle Escarpment

This long stretch of chalk grassland near Lewes is on the north-facing slopes of the South Downs. It's home to the very rare early spider orchid and other unusual flowering plants like pyramidal orchid and bee orchid.

Interest: B
Area: 302.1 hectares (747 acres)
Public Access: PP

Folkington Reservoir

Folkington Reservoir

The banks of this reservoir near Polegate have a rich chalk grassland with plants like kidney vetch, horseshoe vetch, and the rare and protected hairy mallow. The reservoir itself is covered, and the bare chalk on top supports plants like scarlet pimpernel.

Interest: B
Area: 5.8 hectares (14 acres)
Public Access: FP

Fore Wood

The woodland in this steep valley near Battle is varied. Plants here include hay-scented buckler-fern and three rare mosses. It's also a great place for many different birds to nest.

Interest: B
Area: 20.9 hectares (52 acres)
Public Access: YES

Hastingford Cutting

This site near Uckfield shows rocks from the Hastings Beds of the Early Cretaceous period. It has coarse sandstone with pebbles and fossil charcoal in a channel, which scientists believe was part of a braided river system. It lies beneath a layer thought to be part of an ancient lake shore.

Interest: G
Area: 0.04 hectares (0.099 acres)
Public Access: YES
Other Classifications: GCR

Hastings Cliffs to Pett Beach

Hastings Cliffs to Pett Beach

The crumbling cliffs at this site near Hastings show many rock layers and fossils from the Cretaceous period. Natural England describes it as "of national and international importance" for reference. Steep wooded valleys have lichens found in ancient woodlands and rare beetles. Near the coast, salt spray affects the trees, and there are important mosses and liverworts, including Lophocolea fragans, which is only found here in south-east England.

Interest: B, G
Area: 312.2 hectares (771 acres)
Public Access: YES
Other Classifications: GCR, LNR, NCR, SAC

Heathfield Park

This site near Heathfield is a steep valley carved by a stream. The sheltered woodland has a warm, moist climate, which allows plants usually found in western Britain to grow here, like Cornish moneywort and hay-scented buckler-fern. The site is also important for lichens, with 76 species recorded.

Interest: B
Area: 41.0 hectares (101 acres)
Public Access: NO

Hemingfold Meadow

Hemingfold Meadow

This site near Battle has two meadows that are managed to keep their diverse plant life. Over sixty types of flowering plants have been recorded, including common spotted orchid, ox-eye daisy, and primrose.

Interest: B
Area: 4.9 hectares (12 acres)
Public Access: NO

Herstmonceux Park

This narrow stream valley near Hailsham has seven types of wetland habitats. It's known for its fen plants. Two plants that are rare in south-east England, milk-parsley and Cornish moneywort, grow here. There are also several man-made ponds with various water plants.

Interest: B
Area: 4.3 hectares (11 acres)
Public Access: FP

High Rocks

This site near Tunbridge Wells is important for its geology. It shows how sandstone rocks have weathered (broken down) on the highest cliffs in the Weald region. The Ardingly Sandstone here has tiny cracks that scientists are still trying to understand.

Interest: G
Area: 3.3 hectares (8.2 acres)
Public Access: PP
Other Classifications: GCR

High Woods

High Woods

This site near Bexhill-on-Sea has several different habitats, including the only area of sessile oak trees that have been coppiced (cut back to grow new shoots) in the county. There are also areas of pedunculate oak and birch woodland, acidic grassland on wet heath, ponds, and streams.

Interest: B
Area: 33.7 hectares (83 acres)
Public Access: YES

Houghton Green Cliff

This site near Rye shows the Cliff End Sandstone Member of the Wadhurst Clay Formation, which is part of the Wealden Group. These rocks date back to the Lower Cretaceous period, between 140 and 100 million years ago. It's a key site for studying sandstone in this clay formation.

Interest: G
Area: 0.1 hectares (0.25 acres)
Public Access: YES
Other Classifications: GCR

Kingston Escarpment and Iford Hill

Iford Hill

These two areas of steep chalk grassland near Lewes have many different insects, including Adonis blue and small blue butterflies, and the nationally rare and protected wart-biter grasshopper. The plant life is also diverse, with plants like squinancywort and horseshoe vetch.

Interest: B
Area: 63.4 hectares (157 acres)
Public Access: YES
Other Classifications: AONB

Leasam Heronry Wood

Leasam Heronry Wood

This wood near Rye is home to a nationally important heronry (a place where herons nest). The birds started using the site in 1935 and have nested there since 1940. There are over fifty nesting pairs, which is about 1% of the entire British heron population!

Interest: B
Area: 2.1 hectares (5.2 acres)
Public Access: NO

Lewes Brooks

This site on the flood plain of the River Ouse near Lewes has fields separated by ditches. The water in the ditches varies from salty to fresh, creating different habitats. This leads to a wide variety of insects, especially water beetles, and also rare snails, flies, and moths.

Interest: B
Area: 339.1 hectares (838 acres)
Public Access: PP
Other Classifications: AONB, NCR

Lewes Downs

Lewes Downs

This south-facing slope on the South Downs near Lewes is rich in chalk grassland and scrub. It's home to the nationally rare early-spider orchid. It also has many different insects and is an important nesting area for downland birds.

Interest: B
Area: 165.0 hectares (408 acres)
Public Access: PP
Other Classifications: NCR, NNR, SAC, SM, SWT

Lower Dicker

This small, old quarry near Hailsham shows sandstone river deposits from the Weald Clay formation, which dates back to the Lower Cretaceous period, about 130 million years ago. The types of minerals in the sandstone are important for understanding the ancient geography of the Weald.

Interest: G
Area: 0.1 hectares (0.25 acres)
Public Access: NO
Other Classifications: GCR

Lullington Heath

This site near Seaford has two nationally uncommon habitats: chalk heath and chalk grassland. Chalk heath used to cover most of the site, but scrubland grew over much of it after a rabbit disease in the 1950s reduced the rabbit population. The grassland has many flowering plants, and the scrub and rough grassland provide good homes for insects and birds.

Interest: B
Area: 72.7 hectares (180 acres)
Public Access: YES
Other Classifications: NCR, NNR

Maplehurst Wood

This wood near Hastings has probably existed since the Middle Ages, and much of it is still natural. It has different types of woodland and a network of paths and streams. The wood is important locally for its nesting birds like greater spotted woodpecker, tawny owl, and nuthatch.

Interest: B
Area: 31.6 hectares (78 acres)
Public Access: YES

Marline Valley Woods

Marline Valley Woods

This site near St Leonards-on-Sea has ancient woodland and rich, untouched grassland. The wood has tall pedunculate oak trees and coppiced hornbeam, hazel, and sweet chestnut trees. A stream runs through a steep valley, which is home to 61 types of mosses and liverworts, including some uncommon ones.

Interest: B
Area: 55.1 hectares (136 acres)
Public Access: YES
Other Classifications: LNR, SWT

Milton Gate Marsh

Milton Gate Marsh

This site near Eastbourne has two areas of wet land formed by river mud in the valleys of the River Cuckmere and one of its smaller rivers. It has a rich variety of insects, including seventeen species that are rare in the UK, such as the sallow clearwing moth.

Interest: B
Area: 17.7 hectares (44 acres)
Public Access: FP

Northiam

This partly flooded old quarry near Rye is the main place where the Northiam Sandstone Member of the Wadhurst Clay Formation was first identified. This formation is part of the Wealden Group and dates back to the Early Cretaceous period. It's important for understanding the ancient geography and environments of the Wadhurst Clay Formation.

Interest: G
Area: 0.3 hectares (0.74 acres)
Public Access: NO
Other Classifications: GCR

Offham Marshes

Offham Marshes

The ditches in these wet marshes near Lewes have large populations of amphibians like common toads, smooth newts, and common frogs. The ditches also support the hairy dragonfly and many beetles, including Britain's largest species, the rare great silver beetle.

Interest: B
Area: 39.1 hectares (97 acres)
Public Access: FP

Paines Cross Meadow

This site near Heathfield is a damp meadow on heavy clay, with some peaty areas around springs. It has many different insects, including great green and dark bush-crickets, and common blue and gatekeeper butterflies.

Interest: B
Area: 3.7 hectares (9.1 acres)
Public Access: NO

Park Corner Heath

This site near Lewes has grassy heathland, woodland, scrub, and a pond on sand over clay. It's home to many different butterflies and an amazing variety of moths, including the sloe carpet and the nationally rare silky wave.

Interest: B
Area: 2.9 hectares (7.2 acres)
Public Access: YES

Penn's Rocks

This site is a steep valley on sandstone with many mosses and liverworts, which is a rare habitat in the UK. Uncommon species include Orthodontium gracile and Bazzania trilobata.

Interest: B
Area: 10.4 hectares (26 acres)
Public Access: PP

Pevensey Levels

Pevensey Levels

This is a large area of wet grazing meadows near Hailsham, crisscrossed by many ditches. It has many insects that are rare in the UK. It might be the best site in Britain for freshwater molluscs (like snails), including the endangered shining ram's-horn snail. It also has rare water plants and is nationally important for lapwing birds.

Interest: B
Area: 3,603.2 hectares (8,904 acres)
Public Access: PP
Other Classifications: NCR, NNR, Ramsar, SAC, SWT

Plashett Park Wood

Plashett Park Wood

This ancient wood near Uckfield has many paths. It's home to several rare plants, like the spiked rampion, and 25 types of butterflies, including the pearl bordered fritillary and silver-washed fritillary. There are also 67 types of birds that nest here.

Interest: B
Area: 157.6 hectares (389 acres)
Public Access: NO

River Line

This site near Battle shows a series of rock layers from the Purbeck Beds, which date back to the Upper Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous periods. These layers help us understand the environment of that time. Some layers are marine (from the sea) and contain fossils of ancient ostracods and crustaceans.

Interest: G
Area: 2.2 hectares (5.4 acres)
Public Access: NO
Other Classifications: GCR

Rock Wood

Rock Wood

This ancient wood near Uckfield has several types of broadleaved woodland, a stream that cuts through a steep valley, and a small waterfall. The valley has a moist and mild climate, which is perfect for mosses and liverworts that are uncommon in south-east England.

Interest: B
Area: 10.4 hectares (26 acres)
Public Access: YES

Rye Harbour

This site near Rye is important for its geology. The exact details are not fully available, but it is linked to the larger Rye Harbour nature reserve, which is 761 hectares (1,880 acres).

Interest: B, G
Area: 5.6 hectares (14 acres)
Public Access: YES
Other Classifications: GCR

Sapperton Meadows

These wet hay meadows and rich pastures near Heathfield are managed using traditional methods. They have many different plants, including dyer’s greenweed and fleabane. There's also a large network of hedges that are probably very old, as they have many native trees and shrubs.

Interest: B
Area: 14.7 hectares (36 acres)
Public Access: YES

Scaynes Hill

Scaynes Hill

This old quarry and road section near Lewes show yellow sandstone from the Grinstead Clay layer, which dates back to the Valanginian stage about 135 million years ago. The sandstone was laid down by a winding river.

Interest: G
Area: 0.04 hectares (0.099 acres)
Public Access: YES
Other Classifications: GCR

Seaford to Beachy Head

Beachy Head

This site near Eastbourne is nationally important for both its plants and animals, and its geology. It has habitats like chalk grassland, coastal grassland, chalk cliffs, and river bends. It's home to plants, insects, and birds that are rare in the UK. The site also shows large sections of chalk from the Late Cretaceous period, about 80 million years ago.

Interest: B, G
Area: 1,108.7 hectares (2,740 acres)
Public Access: PP
Other Classifications: GCR, LNR, NCR, SWT

Southerham Grey Pit

This site near Lewes shows rocks from the Cenomanian stage of the Late Cretaceous period, about 100 million years ago. It has many well-preserved fossils of ancient inoceramid bivalves (a type of clam) that are not found anywhere else in Britain. It's also the last place in the area to find fossil fish.

Interest: G
Area: 8.5 hectares (21 acres)
Public Access: NO
Other Classifications: GCR

Southerham Machine Bottom Pit

This site near Lewes is historically important because of the many high-quality fossils of Cretaceous fish found here by scientists in the 1800s. These fossils are especially important for understanding how early fish groups, like the teleosts, evolved.

Interest: G
Area: 1.8 hectares (4.4 acres)
Public Access: NO
Other Classifications: GCR

Southerham Works Pit

This site near Lewes shows layers of the Chalk Group from the Upper Cretaceous period, between 90 and 87 million years ago. It's a key site for understanding the layers of rock from that time and the environments of its ancient chalk sea. It also helps scientists study the evolution and grouping of Upper Cretaceous fish.

Interest: G
Area: 1.0 hectares (2.5 acres)
Public Access: PP
Other Classifications: GCR

St Dunstan's Farm Meadows

This site near Heathfield has three untouched meadows that are managed using traditional methods. They are mostly covered by red fescue and common bent grass. Other plants include sweet vernal-grass and sheep's sorrel.

Interest: B
Area: 10.2 hectares (25 acres)
Public Access: FP
Other Classifications: AONB

Stockland Farm Meadows

These two meadows near Uckfield are rich in different plant species and are managed traditionally. Over 80 types of plants have been recorded, including pepper-saxifrage and cowslip. A small pond here is home to five out of the six types of amphibians found in Britain.

Interest: B
Area: 5.8 hectares (14 acres)
Public Access: NO

Waldron Cutting

This site near Heathfield shows siltstones and fine sandstone from the Ashdown Formation, dating back to the Early Cretaceous period, between 140 and 100 million years ago. It has amazing fossils of Lycopodites plants, which are one meter long and found in the position they grew in.

Interest: G
Area: 0.2 hectares (0.49 acres)
Public Access: YES
Other Classifications: GCR

Weir Wood Reservoir

This reservoir near East Grinstead is one of the largest open water areas in the county. It has many different types of birds that nest, spend the winter, or pass through here. Birds that nest here include great crested grebe, teal, and tufted duck.

Interest: B
Area: 153.5 hectares (379 acres)
Public Access: YES
Other Classifications: AONB, LNR

Willingdon Down

Willingdon Down

This steep site on the South Downs near Eastbourne is a chalk grassland rich in different plant species, which is a rare habitat in the UK. Common grasses include sheep’s fescue. Uncommon plants found here include field fleawort, bee orchid, and burnt orchid.

Interest: B
Area: 67.5 hectares (167 acres)
Public Access: YES
Other Classifications: SM

Willingford Meadows

These meadows near Etchingham are rich in different plant species and are managed traditionally by grazing and mowing. The grassland types vary from chalky to acidic. These are the only untouched pastures on Jurassic limestone in the county. There's also a stream, a marsh, an area of overgrown hornbeam trees, and an old hazel and hawthorn hedge.

Interest: B
Area: 10.5 hectares (26 acres)
Public Access: FP

Wilmington Downs

Wilmington Downs

This site near Polegate is mostly chalk grassland on the steep slope of the South Downs. It's important for its insects, including two protected by law: the wart-biter grasshopper and the snail Monacha cartusiana. There are also several unusual types of lichens and mosses.

Interest: B
Area: 209.8 hectares (518 acres)
Public Access: PP
Other Classifications: SM

Winchelsea Cutting

This site near Winchelsea shows the top two meters of the Ashdown Sand Formation and the bottom four meters of the Wadhurst Clay Formation. These layers are part of the Wealden Group and date back to the Lower Cretaceous period, about 140 million years ago.