Introduction: This 1.5ha meadow, managed by the Sussex Wildlife Trust, is a fine example of a traditional Wealden meadow: one that has been managed traditionally for many, many years - without chemical fertilisers or other agricultural improvement.
Location: 400m east of Fairwarp, East Sussex, adjacent to the south-east corner of Ashdown Forest.
What can I do? Come to Brickfield Meadow at different times of the year to see the changing meadow structure, the late summer hay cut, and the occasional use of grazing animals to prevent domination by more competitive plants.
What can I see? A wide range of meadow flowers and grasses, including bird's-foot trefoil, creeping buttercup, betony, musk mallow, sweet vernal grass and dyer's greenweed. Look out for the ancient hornbeam hedge forming one of the Meadow's boundaries.
What can I hear? Visit on a warm summer's day and listen to the buzz of the many different invertebrates that thrive in unimproved meadows.
Information available: A pdf site map (89 KB) is available here and a pdf general guide (286 KB) here
Grid Reference: TQ472265(OS Map)
OS Map: 135 (Explorer, 1:25,000)
Opening Times: All year
Prices: Free
Nearest train station: Buxted 3.1 miles
Nearest NCN route: Route 21 is 5.1 miles to east near Mayfield
Where can I park?Cars can be parked in Fairwarp village, but please be considerate
Where can I get further information? Please see the Sussex Wildlife Trust's website