Chailey Common
In the west of the county, Chailey Common is one of the largest commons in the south of England and was designated a Local Nature Reserve in 1966. The common is a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its heathland plants, and diverse insect and bird communities.
Chailey Common stretches over 450 acres and includes Red House Common, Memorial Common, Romany Ridge Common, Pound Common and Lane End.
Marsh gentian flower at Chailey Common
What you will find
Chailey Common is dominated by heathers, predominantly Ling Heather, but two other native species: Bell and Cross-Leaved Heather can also be found. There are very small colonies of blue flowering Marsh Gentian, Bog Asphodel and Sundew as well as beautiful summer displays of Heath-Spotted Orchid.
The heather and gorse provide a habitat for many birds, such as the Stonechat, Yellowhammer and Linnet. The Nightjar is also a regular summer visitor, as is the Hobby. The commons are also home to several of our native reptiles, such as adders and common lizards with many small ponds providing homes for a variety of amphibians.
Areas of the common are grazed by Hebridean sheep over the summer months, to help keep the birch saplings, brambles and rank grasses at bay, and large areas of the common are regularly mown or rolled to manage the bracken.
Download the Chailey Common Local Nature Reserve leaflet.
Walking, cycling and access
Chailey Common is open access, although we ask that you keep to existing footpaths to minimise disturbance to wildlife.
Dogs are welcome but dog owners are asked to clean up after their dogs (bins are provided in most of the car parks) and keep them under close control, especially during the bird nesting and breeding season (April to September).
Horse riders are permitted to use the commons, but are asked to respect other users by not riding at speed, particularly in wet weather.
Cyclists are not permitted on the commons.
How to get there
The commons are situated where the A275 meets the A272.
The Local Rider 121 bus operates a regular service from Lewes – Newick, via Chailey. See Rider bus timetables.
The nearest railway stations are Haywards Heath and Cooksbridge.
Car parking (with a height restriction of 2m) is available at the following locations:
- Lane End Common on Fletchling Common Road (reference: TQ403222)
- Red House Common on Warrs Hill Lane (reference: TQ392219)
- Memorial Common layby on the A272 (reference: TQ389205)
- Pound Common on North Common Road (reference: TQ377206)
- Romany Ridge Common on North Common Road (reference: TQ378208).
Management and history
Chailey Common was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. It was used by local peasants for cutting wood and bracken for fuel, and grazing livestock. This made the already poor soil worse and led to the unique heathland habitat that we see today. Since World War Two the decline of communal use has threatened the heathland by allowing bracken, birch and gorse to smother the heather and grass.
The Reserve is managed by Chailey Common Local Nature Reserve Management Committee. The aim is to recreate and conserve the heathland through scrub clearance, mowing and grazing. Sheep were reintroduced in 1991 and the wildlife is carefully monitored and protected.
Volunteering
If you are interested in helping us maintain our countryside sites in East Sussex, you can register to be a volunteer ranger.
Contact us
Contact the Chailey Common rangers.
You can also contact:
- Chailey Common Local Nature Reserve Management Committee
Phone: 01273 482670
- Chailey Commons Society
Phone: 01444 413716
