Site Code

Country: United Kingdom

Central coordinates: 51.06945153^o [51^o 4' 10" North], -0.09436439^o [0^o 5' 39" West]

Administrative region: South East (East Sussex)

Area: 172 ha

Altitude: 60 - 140

Site Description
The Ashdown Forest SAC covers an area of 2729 ha (approx. 10 sq miles). The High Weald AONB covers 560 square miles in the counties of East Sussex, Kent, Surrey, and West Sussex. Total boundary = 27.2km², perimeter =132km

Botanical Significance
Noted for bryophytes and habitat interest. The Wealdon Sandrocks IPA includes a number of sandrock outcrops in the High Weald Natural Area. These rock systems provide a rare habitat which supports a rich community of ferns and bryophytes including many Atlantic species which are uncommon in south-east England. The sandrock communities contain many uncommon bryophytes including Orthodontium gracile, Bazzania trilobata, Saccogyna viticulosa and Harpanthus scutatus.

Wealdon Sandrocks are designated under Criteria A for Orthodontium gracile and Pallavicinia lyelli

Wealdon Heaths and Grasslands are designated under Criteria B for richness inc. the species Arabis glabra, Crassula tillaea, Euphrasia anglica, Filago lutescens, Filago vulgaris, Gnaphalium sylvaticum, Herniaria glabra, Hypochaeris glabra, Polycarpon tetraphyllum, Potentilla argentea, Scleranthus annuus, Scleranthus annuus annuus, Teesdalia nudicaulis, Trifolium glomeratum, Vulpia ciliata ambigua (YA analysis) and Baldellia ranunculoides, Myosurus minimus, Carex elongata, Oenanthe fistulosa, Carex otrubae, Oenanthe silaifolia, Carex vulpina, Persicaria minor, Chamaemelum nobile, Persicaria mitis, Cuscuta europaea, Pilularia globulifera, Cyperus longus, Radiola linoides, Illecebrum verticillatum, Teesdalia nudicaulis, Leersia oryzoides, Teucrium scordium, Limosella aquatica, Viola canina, Lycopodiella inundata, Viola canina canina, Mentha pulegium (C3 analysis)

Management guidance notes
None

Notes
Ashdown Forest
Eridge Rocks, Paddockhurst Park, West Hoathly, Chiddingly Wood; Harrisons Rocks.

A steep chalk and greensand escarpment at the western extremity of the Wealden syncline, with perhaps the finest diversity of chalk woodland in Britain, plus more localised areas of chalk and acid grassland. The flora is rich, and includes a range of UK priority species.