Lost Woods of the Low Weald and Downs

Using money raised by National Lottery players, The National Lottery Heritage Fund supports projects that connect people and communities with the UK’s heritage. The Lost Woods of the Low Weald and Downs is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to unite locals to explore and protect our Low Weald and Downs woodlands for generations to come.

Many ancient woods in Sussex are neglected. They're now often small, fragmented and vulnerable to the pressures of development, invasive species and climate change.

Without our help, there is a risk they'll be lost forever.

But we have a plan to rescue them. We are working with partners, landowners and communities across a project area of 314 square kilometres across east and west Sussex, over an area of the Low Weald between the SDNPA and High Weald National Landscape. Our work will:

• improve the condition and management of the fragmented ancient woodland
• transform the landscape to provide a corridor to reconnect these amazing areas
• improve biodiversity, allowing wildlife to thrive
• ensure local woodland owners are trained in management skills
• create a resilient landscape that can cope with the effects of climate change.

What we're doing

With our partners, we're leading work that will transform the landscape that sits between the South Downs National Park and the High Weald National Landscape.

After a two-year development phase, in October 2022 we were granted a further £2.03 million from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to deliver a full and ambitious programme that will bring life back to these forgotten woods.

Our plans

• Train local woodland managers in the traditional skills of coppicing, hedge laying and charcoal production.
• Work with woodland owners to improve the condition of ancient woods with a focus on biodiversity.
• Work with communities to engage groups and individuals in their local woodland.
• Record all the ancient, veteran and notable trees in the area.
• Write new management plans that include the care of old trees.
• Create new woodland habitat through natural regeneration. 
• Ensure all local people have access to woods.

Our partners

Lost Woods of the Low Weald and Downs would be impossible to deliver without our partners, Action in Rural Sussex, Sussex Wildlife Trust and Small Woods Association.

Ancient tree survey

Our dedicated team of volunteers have been scouring the project area to find and record every ancient and veteran tree in the Lost Woods of the Low Weald and Downs.

Hundreds of notable, veteran and ancient trees have been recorded so far, including one mighty oak tree which measures an impressive 6.3 metres in diameter.

Many of the trees documented during the survey have been observed by one prolific recorder – David Riley from Lindfield – who managed an incredible feat of recording 300 in just four months.

The ongoing efforts of David and the rest of our volunteers are helping to expand the Ancient Tree Inventory – a catalogue of the oldest and most important trees in the UK.

The presence of these trees in the Lost Woods demonstrates how valuable the area is to the Sussex landscape, and why we’re working to restore it. We believe ancient and veteran trees need more protection, and identifying them is the first step to deciding how best to preserve them in future. 

How you can get involved

We are working with landowners, community groups and schools to save Sussex’s Lost Woods.

To get involved please visit the Lost Woods website, or email lostwoods@woodlandtrust.org.uk to find out more.

Landowners

If you own a small area of ancient woodland (less than 5ha) or have old trees on your land, we can work with you to restore these fragmented pockets and to protect ancient and veteran trees.

We’re also offering free support for landowners interested in joining our Nature Corridor scheme, which is helping to reconnect ancient woodlands via the creation of new wooded habitat.

Communities

We work with local community and conservation groups. If you're already part of one or would like to set up a new one, we're keen to hear from you. 

Training in woodland management

Developing local skills in woodland management is key to this project. We are offering training courses in woodland management skills, including wilder woodland and green woodworking workshops. These courses are open to all people living, working or volunteering within the project area.

Businesses

Your business could help rescue and regenerate our ancient woodlands. Connect communities, boost UK biodiversity and ensure ancient woodlands are better cared for and more resilient for the future. Please contact partners@woodlandtrust.org.uk or call 0330 333 5306 to find out more about corporate partnerships with the Woodland Trust.