Introduction: Owned and managed by the Woodland Trust, Guestling Wood is a typical High Weald ancient woodland. The majority of the 44ha site is sweet chestnut coppice, whilst there is also an extensive area of oak coppice – a rarity habitat in South East England.
Location: Between the villages of Icklesham, Pett and Guestling Green in the Brede Valley, East Sussex. Accessed off Watermill Lane.
What can I do? Explore the fascinating site: with its continual history of coppicing there is much archaeological evidence of this traditional woodland management. Walk the public footpath running north-south through the Wood – a typical sunken, ancient routeway bordered by boundary banks.
What can I see? The coppicing has created ideal conditions for spectacular displays of spring flowers, especially bluebells and wood anemones. The western part of the site slopes to a stream and is wetter than the rest of the Wood; with willow, alder and ash present, and clumps of sedge and rush at their bases.
What can I hear? Listen out for the different calls and songs of the woodland birds.
Grid Reference: TQ861147(OS Map)
OS Map: 199 (Landranger, 1:50,000)
Opening Times: All year
Prices: Free
Nearest train station: Three Oaks, 2.4 miles
Nearest NCN route: Route 2 is 1.5 miles to the south at Fairlight
Where can I park? Free parking available
Where can I get further information? Please see the Woodland Trust's website