Ditchling Common Country Park
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Cattle Grazing takes place on the fenced areas of the park from Spring to Autumn. Currently Fields 1 & 3 are being grazed.
Ditchling Common Country Park covers 76 hectares (188 acres). The site is used for activities including walking, fishing, picnicking, education and dog walking.
Cattle Grazing
Cattle grazing takes place on the fenced areas of the park from Spring to Autumn. Cattle are currently grazing on the Common.
How to get there
There is a large car park situated on Folders Lane East at the southern end of the Park. The map reference for the car park is TQ335181. The nearest train stations are Burgess Hill and Wivelsfield.
Fishing permits
We operate a fishing permit system at Ditchling Common. Permits are limited to 50 per year and are issued on a first come, first served basis. They are valid for a year from the beginning of July to the end of June.
Dogs
Dogs are welcome but they must be kept under control at all times so that they do not disturb others e.g. children, grazing animals, fishermen and nesting birds.
Please use the dog bins located close to the car park.
Drones
Drones are not permitted at Ditchling Common. They cause a nuisance to other visitors and disturbance to the wildlife on the park.
More information
For visitor information, including a location map and nature trail details please see:
- Ditchling Common Country Park [320.5 KB] [pdf]
Report a problem
The danger posed to wildlife by discarded fishing equipment is made clear to anglers when they are granted a permit to fish. We litter-pick at the site once a week. But if you have concerns, please report them to the Countryside Maintenance Team. Precise location details and photographs are extremely useful in helping us deal quickly with any issues:
- Email: Countryside Maintenance Team
If you find an injured wild animal please contact Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA)
- Telephone: 0300 123 4999
- Website: RSPCA
East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service
- Emergency line 0781 507 8234
- Website: Wildlife Rescue
Fishing at Ditchling Common Country Park
You must have a valid permit to fish at Ditchling Common Country Park.
Current permits are valid until June 2025.
Permits are limited to 50 per year and are issued on a first come, first served basis.
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Rules of Fishing [154.3 KB] [pdf]
Permit holders are allowed to fish day and night in two ponds on Ditchling Common. There is no closed season.
The Environment Agency kindly surveyed both ponds during 1999 and found both ponds to contain a good variety and range of ages of fish.
Some disturbance from other visitors especially around the main pond is inevitable during busy periods, such as summer weekends and school holidays. An easy access path is available allowing wheelchair access to fishing.
Contact us
If you have any questions please contact the Countryside Management Team.
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