Tilgate Plantation

Wood, Forest in Sussex Mid Sussex

England

Tilgate Plantation

Broadfield Stadium Built by Crawley Council in the early 1990s to re-home Crawley Town Football Club. One of the best non-league stadia in the UK — Broadfield Stadium Credit: Michael of Crawley

Tilgate Plantation is a magnificent woodland located in Sussex, England. Covering an impressive area of land, it is a prime example of a thriving forest ecosystem. The plantation is situated in Tilgate Park, which is around two miles south of Crawley town center.

The woodland is predominantly composed of diverse species of trees, including oak, beech, and birch, creating a rich and vibrant landscape. These trees provide a lush canopy that offers shelter and food for numerous animal species. The plantation is home to an array of wildlife, including deer, squirrels, and a variety of bird species.

Tilgate Plantation is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts, hikers, and families looking to enjoy the great outdoors. The woodland boasts an extensive network of well-maintained trails, allowing visitors to explore its stunning beauty at their own pace. These trails wind through the forest, providing breathtaking views and an opportunity to immerse oneself in the peaceful ambiance of nature.

Additionally, the plantation offers various recreational activities, such as cycling and horse riding, allowing visitors to engage in outdoor pursuits while surrounded by the beauty of the woodland. There are also designated picnic areas, perfect for enjoying a leisurely lunch amidst the tranquility of the forest.

Overall, Tilgate Plantation is a remarkable woodland that showcases the natural beauty of Sussex. With its diverse flora and fauna, well-maintained trails, and recreational activities, it provides an ideal retreat for individuals seeking solace in nature or a fun-filled day of outdoor adventures.

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Tilgate Plantation Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.086913/-0.18716271 or Grid Reference TQ2733. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Broadfield Stadium

Built by Crawley Council in the early 1990s to re-home Crawley Town Football Club. One of the best non-league stadia in the UK

Michael of Crawley

Thomas Bennett Community College

Former buildings of the secondary school named for Sir Thomas Bennett, Chairman of Crawley New Town Development Corporation. The school was opened in 1959 and rebuilt on the same campus in 2004-5. The buildings shown were demolished in the summer of 2005.

Michael of Crawley

Broadfield Barton

Local shopping parade for the neighbourhood of Broadfield in South-west Crawley

Michael of Crawley

Tilgate Lake, Tilgate Park, Crawley

Tilgate Park is the largest public park in Crawley. Before the development of the Crawley New Town, it was the home of the Campbell family. Malcolm Campbell developed and tested his designs of the "Bluebird" world water speed record holding boats on this lake in the 1930s and 40s.

Pete Chapman

Tilgate Parade, Tilgate, Crawley

Tilgate was one of Crawley New Town's original 12 neighbourhoods. Each neighbourhood had its own shops, pub, church etc. Tilgate Parade still commands a position at the centre of everyday life for many people in this neighbourhood (built mid-1950s).

Pete Chapman

Tilgate Golf Course, Crawley

Grid square TQ2834 is dominated by most of an 18 hole golf course. This fine course is popular and the view here shows three ladies enjoying a round on a Friday afternoon.

Pete Chapman

Tilgate Forest: natural and un-natural trees

Tilgate Forest dominates this square. The proximity to the M23 and high vantage point have led a mobile phone company to locate a mast here. It's supposed to blend in with the other flora, but I've never seen another tree like this round here!

Pete Chapman

M23 Motorway looking NE from footbridge between Tilgate Golf Course and Tilgate Forest

The M23 cuts across the S of grid square TQ2834. The motorway acts as a boundary between Tilgate Golf Course (to the N) and Tilgate Forest (to the S). The view here is that from a footbridge that crosses over the motorway. In the distance, the edge of the Maidenbower neighbourhood of Crawley can be seen (centre of photo, to left of motorway).

Pete Chapman

Orienteering in Tilgate Forest, Nr Crawley, West Sussex

This Square is dominated by Tilgate Forest, a public access forest managed by the Forestry Commission. The photo shows the mature mixed woodland that makes up most of the forest area. This part is predominantly broadleaved deciduous trees, with the odd coniferous example and a light scattering of rhododendron thickets. The high canopy is quite dense and doesn't let much heavy vegetation take hold. One of several popular woodland areas in the vicinity for orienteering. The event here was a Christmas Score event staged by Southdowns Orienteers.

Pete Chapman

Ditch Bend in a Shallow Re-Entrant in a Coniferous Wooded Part of Tilgate Forest, Nr Crawley, West Sussex

This view shows typical vegetation in much of this part of Tilgate Forest: pine trees (with the odd invading birch) with a fairly clean forest floor. The trees tend to form quite a dense canopy, preventing much from growing beneath them. The ditch is part of the drainage network.

Pete Chapman

Pease Pottage Services

At the (current) end of the M23, Junction 11. Operated by Moto.

Pete Chapman

Telecoms mast, South Lodge, Pease Pottage, West Sussex

One of several facilities in the area taking advantage of the relatively high altitude (water tower, radar station, reservoir). Much of the mast is masked by trees (similar to the radar station location) from most angles.

Pete Chapman

Corn Fields, Pease Pottage

A very summery rural site. Ripening corn in this large field, which covers the N side of this grid square. Much of the rural sussex terrain is patches of trees interspersed by fields of various crops. Tilgate Forest can be seen in the far distance and Bensonshill Wood is on the right. High voltage electricity transmission cross the field (the pylons are just visible). View taken from the old A23 road between Pease Pottage and Handcross, looking E.

Pete Chapman

The old Brighton Road at Pease Pottage

Now replaced by the M23, this section of the old A23 is a cul-de-sac.

Bob Jones

Parish Lane, near New Buildings Farm, Pease Pottage, Crawley, West Sussex

A quiet "no through" road on the south side of Tilgate forest and the N edge of this grid square. The route itself continues (in unmetalled form) as a bridleway once it's crossed the London-Brighton Railway. The barn on the skyline is part of New Buildings Farm on the S side of the road. View taken looking E.

Pete Chapman

Tilgate lake, Tilgate park, Crawley

Photo taken facing roughly south east showing what used to be called (maybe it still is?) Campbells lake after the former world water speed record holder Sir Donald Campbell, who used to keep his boat here.

Chris Plunkett

Plaque Commemorating Malcolm Campbell, Tilgate Lake (Campbell's Lake), Tilgate Park, Crawley

The Campbells used to live in the large house (now gone) of the then private estate. The large lake was used as a testing ground for some of Sir Malcolm Campbell's water borne speed vehicles.

Pete Chapman