Wildflowers of Wolstonbury Hill - West Sussex (Day Trip)

Standing in prominent isolation alongside the A23 within the South Downs National Park, the ancient sheep-grazed grassland of Wolstonbury Hill hosts a wonderful array of classic chalkland flora. We will be concentrating on finding several species of orchid, most notably, the Man Orchid in its only Sussex locality. Greater Butterfly, Bee and Fly Orchids are amongst other herbaceous species we aim to admire, many of which are the larval host plants for the specialized butterfly species of the area. We will be on the lookout for another speciality of the area, Slender Bedstraw, a scarce national plant in its only Sussex locality.
As we slowly walk several of the ancient pathways, we will be keeping our senses alert for any chalkland butterfly species on the wing at this time. Reaching the summit, crowned with an Iron Age Hillfort, we will be able to admire the surrounding views, taking in the Devil’s Dyke amongst many other landmarks.
As well as chalk grassland the walk allows for exploration of cool shady woodlands on the scarp slope of the South Downs with their accompanying special flora, including the diminutive Fly Orchid!

During our time of gentle wanderings, we will be serenaded by the song of ever-present Skylarks and looking upwards will no doubt reveal the presence of several Common Buzzards, and perhaps, one of the local Peregrines!
 
The terrain on this walk can be challenging at times, with steep and rutted ground on occasions. We won't walk anymore than six miles. Start time is 9.30am and we will intend to finish no later than 4pm.