Alder Copse

Wood, Forest in Sussex Horsham

England

Alder Copse

Oaks, Monk's Gate (1) There are quite a number of fine old specimens in the area, perhaps relics of former parkland.
Oaks, Monk's Gate (1) Credit: Stephen Richards

Alder Copse is a picturesque woodland located in the county of Sussex, England. Spanning over a vast area of land, this forested area is known for its dense growth of alder trees, which give it its name. The copse is situated in a serene and tranquil setting, providing a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

The forest is a haven for nature enthusiasts and wildlife lovers alike. The alder trees, with their distinctive dark bark and glossy green leaves, dominate the landscape, creating a lush and verdant environment. The copse is also home to a variety of other tree species, including oak, beech, and birch, adding to its diverse and rich ecosystem.

The forest floor is adorned with a carpet of wildflowers, creating a vibrant and colorful display during the spring and summer months. Visitors can expect to see an array of plant species, such as bluebells, primroses, and wood anemones.

Alder Copse is also teeming with wildlife. The dense foliage provides a perfect habitat for a wide range of bird species, including woodpeckers, tawny owls, and chiffchaffs. The copse is also home to a variety of mammals, including deer, foxes, and badgers, making it a popular spot for wildlife spotting and photography.

The copse is accessible to the public and offers a network of well-maintained walking trails, allowing visitors to explore the woodlands at their own pace. Its natural beauty and peaceful atmosphere make Alder Copse a popular destination for nature lovers and those seeking a tranquil retreat in the heart of Sussex.

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Alder Copse Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.053285/-0.27913845 or Grid Reference TQ2029. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Oaks, Monk's Gate (1) There are quite a number of fine old specimens in the area, perhaps relics of former parkland.
Oaks, Monk's Gate (1)
There are quite a number of fine old specimens in the area, perhaps relics of former parkland.
Inholms Gill A tributary of the River Arun that rises in St Leonard's Forest.
Inholms Gill
A tributary of the River Arun that rises in St Leonard's Forest.
Track, St Leonard's Forest The surfaced track heads north from the car park on Hammerpond Road to Mick's Cross.
Track, St Leonard's Forest
The surfaced track heads north from the car park on Hammerpond Road to Mick's Cross.
Grouse Road A minor road that links Hammerpond Road at Bucks Head to Pease Pottage, the latter an old entrance to St Leonard's Forest. Old Copse is on the right.
Grouse Road
A minor road that links Hammerpond Road at Bucks Head to Pease Pottage, the latter an old entrance to St Leonard's Forest. Old Copse is on the right.
Solar Panels, Woodbank, Hammerpond Road An old tennis court now used for generating electricity.
Solar Panels, Woodbank, Hammerpond Road
An old tennis court now used for generating electricity.
Hammerpond Road Viewed from the junction with Church Lane as it descends into a small valley containing Hammer Pond. This section is marked as Hammer Hill on older OS maps.
Hammerpond Road
Viewed from the junction with Church Lane as it descends into a small valley containing Hammer Pond. This section is marked as Hammer Hill on older OS maps.
Church Lane Heading south from Hammerpond Road to Lower Beeding.
Church Lane
Heading south from Hammerpond Road to Lower Beeding.
Hammer Pond The surviving hammer pond that once powered St Leonards Upper Forge which operated between 1554 and 1655. The pond bay still survives at the southern end, see <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7654201">TQ2128 : Pond Bay, St Leonards Upper Forge</a>, though the former site, see <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7654197">TQ2128 : Site of St Leonards Upper Forge</a>, has been landscaped by Mannings Heath Golf Club. <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7654199">TQ2128 : Hammer Pond Cottage, Hammerpond Road</a> at the western end is linked too.
Hammer Pond
The surviving hammer pond that once powered St Leonards Upper Forge which operated between 1554 and 1655. The pond bay still survives at the southern end, see TQ2128 : Pond Bay, St Leonards Upper Forge, though the former site, see TQ2128 : Site of St Leonards Upper Forge, has been landscaped by Mannings Heath Golf Club. TQ2128 : Hammer Pond Cottage, Hammerpond Road at the western end is linked too.
Mannings Heath Golf Club This section adjacent to Goldings Stream, viewed from Hammerpond Road, is believed to be the site of the former hammer pond for St Leonards Lower Forge. The works operated from 1554 to 1655, often in conjunction with a furnbace built on the site as well as the Upper Forge. <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7654210">TQ2129 : Hawkins Pond</a> was a pen pond for the Lower Forge.
Mannings Heath Golf Club
This section adjacent to Goldings Stream, viewed from Hammerpond Road, is believed to be the site of the former hammer pond for St Leonards Lower Forge. The works operated from 1554 to 1655, often in conjunction with a furnbace built on the site as well as the Upper Forge. TQ2129 : Hawkins Pond was a pen pond for the Lower Forge.
Site of St Leonards Upper Forge The forge operated from 1554 to 1655 in conjunction with the Lower Forge and Furnace downstream. Viewed from Hammerpond Road which contains the surviving pond bay, see <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7654201">TQ2128 : Pond Bay, St Leonards Upper Forge</a>, that separated the site from <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7654184">TQ2128 : Hammer Pond</a>. Now part of Mannigs Heath Golf Club whose landscaping has disturbed the site which also contains a World War Two pillbox.
Site of St Leonards Upper Forge
The forge operated from 1554 to 1655 in conjunction with the Lower Forge and Furnace downstream. Viewed from Hammerpond Road which contains the surviving pond bay, see TQ2128 : Pond Bay, St Leonards Upper Forge, that separated the site from TQ2128 : Hammer Pond. Now part of Mannigs Heath Golf Club whose landscaping has disturbed the site which also contains a World War Two pillbox.
Hammer Pond Cottage, Hammerpond Road The building dates from the 17th century and is contemporary with the adjacent <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7654197">TQ2128 : Site of St Leonards Upper Forge</a>. For a while it was a pair of cottages prior to becoming a single dwelling.
Hammer Pond Cottage, Hammerpond Road
The building dates from the 17th century and is contemporary with the adjacent TQ2128 : Site of St Leonards Upper Forge. For a while it was a pair of cottages prior to becoming a single dwelling.
Pond Bay, St Leonards Upper Forge The bay carries Hammerpond Road past <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7654184">TQ2128 : Hammer Pond</a> to the left, separating it from the working, see <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7654197">TQ2128 : Site of St Leonards Upper Forge</a>, to the right.
Pond Bay, St Leonards Upper Forge
The bay carries Hammerpond Road past TQ2128 : Hammer Pond to the left, separating it from the working, see TQ2128 : Site of St Leonards Upper Forge, to the right.
Bucks Head, Buckshead Hill, Bucks Head The cottage appears to date back to the 19th century and is one of a couple of buildings that make up the hamlet of Bucks Head that is located on a ridge between two former hammer ponds.
Bucks Head, Buckshead Hill, Bucks Head
The cottage appears to date back to the 19th century and is one of a couple of buildings that make up the hamlet of Bucks Head that is located on a ridge between two former hammer ponds.
Hawkins Pond Built as a pen pond for St Leonards Lower Forge that operated between 1554 and 1655. Now used as a private fishing pond.
Hawkins Pond
Built as a pen pond for St Leonards Lower Forge that operated between 1554 and 1655. Now used as a private fishing pond.
Pond Bay, Hawkins Pond The dam for <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7654210">TQ2129 : Hawkins Pond</a> that was built as a pen pond for St Leonards Lower Forge that operated between 1554 and 1655. Now carrying Hammerpond Road.
Pond Bay, Hawkins Pond
The dam for TQ2129 : Hawkins Pond that was built as a pen pond for St Leonards Lower Forge that operated between 1554 and 1655. Now carrying Hammerpond Road.
Cinderbank Copse Within the copse between Frenchbridge Gill and Goldins Stream is the site of St Leonards Lower Forge and Furnace that operated from 1554 to 1655. The main pond, see <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7654192">TQ2128 : Mannings Heath Golf Club</a>, does not survive, but a pen pond, <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7654201">TQ2128 : Pond Bay, St Leonards Upper Forge</a>, does. Now part of Mannings Heath Golf Club.
Cinderbank Copse
Within the copse between Frenchbridge Gill and Goldins Stream is the site of St Leonards Lower Forge and Furnace that operated from 1554 to 1655. The main pond, see TQ2128 : Mannings Heath Golf Club, does not survive, but a pen pond, TQ2128 : Pond Bay, St Leonards Upper Forge, does. Now part of Mannings Heath Golf Club.
Club House, Mannings Heath Golf Course Opened in 1905 the site contains 36 holes spread over two courses; Waterfall, the original course, and Kingfisher.
Club House, Mannings Heath Golf Course
Opened in 1905 the site contains 36 holes spread over two courses; Waterfall, the original course, and Kingfisher.
Goldings Lane Viewed from the junction with Hammerpond Road. The lane heads south to Mannings Heath.
Goldings Lane
Viewed from the junction with Hammerpond Road. The lane heads south to Mannings Heath.
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Alder Copse is located at Grid Ref: TQ2029 (Lat: 51.053285, Lng: -0.27913845)

Administrative County: West Sussex

District: Horsham

Police Authority: Sussex

What 3 Words

///handfuls.handfuls.elevated. Near Horsham, West Sussex

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 51.053285,-0.27913845
Recycling
Recycling Point
Lat/Long: 51.0515293/-0.2747144
Bicycle: no
Depth: 0.004
Foot: yes
Ford: yes
Horse: no
Motor Vehicle: no
Seasonal: no
Lat/Long: 51.0573158/-0.2779812
Mill Farm
Place: farm
Lat/Long: 51.0540286/-0.2752767
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 51.0511974/-0.2834605
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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