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Corporate report

West Sussex's National Nature Reserves

Updated 25 June 2026

Applies to England

© Crown copyright 2026

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/west-sussexs-national-nature-reserves/west-sussexs-national-nature-reserves

Ebernoe Common

Ebernoe Common is a large wooded common in West Sussex.

Main habitats: wood pasture

Area: 75.9 ha

Management: Ebernoe Common NNR is owned and managed by the Sussex Wildlife Trust.

Further information about the NNR, its wildlife and how to visit can be found on the Sussex Wildlife Trust’s Ebernoe Common web page.

Contact

Email: Contact form on the Sussex Wildlife Trust website
Telephone: 01273 492630

Kingley Vale

The reserve contains one of the finest yew forests in western Europe, including a grove of ancient trees which are among the oldest living things in Britain.

Main habitats: yew woodland and lowland chalk grassland

Kingley Vale is managed through livestock grazing, so you may encounter cattle or sheep at various times of the year. We welcome responsible dog owners - please keep dogs on a lead at all times to protect wildlife and livestock.

Features of interest

Kingley Vale is known for its twisted ancient yews, including a grove of veteran trees, some over 500 years old. The largest measure more than 5 metres in girth.

The reserve also supports superb chalk grassland and is one of the most important archaeological sites in southern England, with 14 scheduled ancient monuments.

Wildlife is abundant. Look out for green woodpeckers, nightingales, grasshopper warblers, blackcaps and marsh tits. Birds of prey are frequently seen, including buzzards, kestrels, sparrowhawks, red kites and, in summer, hobbies. Tawny owls may be heard at dusk.

Of the 58 butterfly species that breed in England, 39 have been recorded here, including chalkhill blue, holly blue and brimstone.

The chalk grassland supports a wide variety of plants, including bird’s-foot trefoil, kidney vetch and fairy flax. There are also many species of orchid, including bee, common spotted, frog and fly orchids.

For more details, see our site information leaflet (please note this is currently under review and contains out-of-date contact details).

Visitor information and safety

Terrain – some areas are steep and uneven and may not be suitable for those with limited mobility. Please take care and wear appropriate footwear.

Unexploded ordnance – due to former military use, unexploded ordnance may be present. Do not touch metal objects. Report any suspicious items to staff.

Ticks – these are present across the site. Wear long trousers where possible and check yourself and pets after your visit. See the following links for further information:

Grazing livestock – Livestock may be present year-round. Dogs must be kept on leads at all times.

Poor mobile reception – coverage is limited. Plan your route in advance and do not rely on mobile signal.

Ash dieback and falling branches – some trees are affected by ash dieback and may be unstable. Avoid standing beneath trees, especially in windy conditions.

Restrictions

To protect the reserve, the following activities are not permitted:

  • dogs off leads – dogs must be kept on leads at all times
  • camping or overnight stays without permission
  • lighting fires or barbecues
  • littering
  • flying drones without permission
  • metal detecting or digging without permission
  • removal of plants, fungi, or other natural materials

Directions

The nearest train station is Chichester, about 3 miles (5 kilometres) away.

There is no bus link to the reserve.

There are 2 car parks serving this reserve:

  • West Stoke car park to the south (SU824088)
    This has limited capacity so gets very busy at weekends and in school holidays. Access is restricted to vehicles of less than 2m in height and overnight parking is not permitted.
  • Stoughton car park to the north (SU815126)
    This belongs to Forestry England (FE) and is quieter, so more suitable for larger groups.

Please do not park on the road. This creates a hazard for emergency vehicles and blocks local residents.

Cycle parking is available at West Stoke car park.

Directions: from the A286 at Mid Lavant, head west along Downs Road to West Stoke. Pass the church, then take the next right-hand turn on the sharp bend. The car park is just after the turn.

School and community groups

A Forest School operates on site. To book, contact Chichester Forest Schools on 07747 611912.

Artist in residence

Trudy Redfern leads sketching trips on the South Downs. She is a qualified teacher and award-winning artist specialising in wildlife and nature.

For more information, call 01243 572504 or 07740 647310, or visit http://www.trudyredfern.co.uk

Contact

For enquiries, email KingleyValeNNR@naturalengland.org.uk or call 0300 060 6000.

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