Coneyburrow Wood

Wood, Forest in Sussex Wealden

England

Coneyburrow Wood

Cuckoo Trail, Cowden Wood Autumnal scenes on this part of the trail. — Cuckoo Trail, Cowden Wood Credit: Simon Carey

Coneyburrow Wood is a picturesque woodland located in Sussex, England. Spanning over an area of approximately 100 acres, this beautiful forest is a popular destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. The wood is situated in the heart of the South Downs National Park, which adds to its allure and natural beauty.

Coneyburrow Wood is characterized by its diverse ecosystem and abundance of wildlife. It is primarily composed of broadleaf trees, including oak, beech, and ash, which create a dense canopy overhead. This lush vegetation provides a haven for a variety of bird species, including woodpeckers, owls, and warblers. Small mammals such as badgers, foxes, and rabbits can also be spotted within the wood.

The forest is crisscrossed by a network of well-maintained trails, making it an ideal location for hiking, walking, and birdwatching. Visitors can explore the wood's enchanting scenery, discovering hidden glades and meandering streams along the way. In the spring, the forest floor comes alive with a vibrant carpet of bluebells, attracting photographers and nature enthusiasts from near and far.

Coneyburrow Wood is not only a natural haven, but it also holds historical significance. It is believed to have been a hunting ground for the medieval kings of Sussex, and remnants of ancient earthworks can still be seen within the wood, adding an element of intrigue and mystery.

Overall, Coneyburrow Wood offers a tranquil and immersive experience in nature, where visitors can escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and immerse themselves in the beauty of the Sussex countryside.

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Coneyburrow Wood Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 50.904457/0.27983647 or Grid Reference TQ6014. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Cuckoo Trail, Cowden Wood

Autumnal scenes on this part of the trail.

Simon Carey

Woodhams Bridge

Carrying a farm track over the former railway line. The carved seat in the foreground is one of many that can be found throughout the length of the trail depicting local wildlife, flora and fauna.

Simon Carey

Wealden Landscape near the Cuckoo Trail

Most of the grid square is farmland such as this.

Simon Carey

Afternoon Grazing near Cuckmere River

The course of the river follows the line of trees in the middle of the picture. On the 1940s map most of this area was covered by Springham Wood but it seems to have been grubbed in the preceding 60 years.

Simon Carey

Hellingly Hospital

Admin block of Hellingly Hospital, formerly known as the East Sussex County Asylum. Opened in 1903 this vast site (covering most of the grid square) was an enclosed community having a farm, church and even its own railway connected to the nearby Cuckoo Line. Now vandalised and ravaged by the elements it closed in the 1990's apart from the nearby secure unit.

Chess

House on the bend

Opposite Lewhurst Farm on the Hailsham - Horam road.

Robin Webster

Barns, Lewhurst Farm

On the Hailsham - Horam road.

Robin Webster

Hellingly, Hailsham, East Sussex

Hellingly Hospital was a large mental hospital in the village of Hellingly, east of Hailsham, in East Sussex. The hospital, also known as East Sussex County Asylum or just Hellingly, was opened in 1903. Its architect was GT Hine, one of the great asylum architects of the era. The hospital boasted its own railway line, the Hellingly Hospital Railway, used principally for transport of coal. This branch line led from the main line to the boilerhouse. The hospital also had a vast laundry, ball room, patients' shop, sewing rooms, nurses home, extensive grounds, and an advanced utilities network for its time, including a large boilerhouse and a water tower. It followed the compact arrow plan for the main hospital, with separate villas surrounding this. The majority of the hospital closed throughout 1994, however, and to this day much of the 25.4 hectare site stands derelict and extremely run down, after suffering repeated vandalism and multiple arson attacks.

Rob

Grove Hill

Near Meadow Cottage and River Cottage.

Oast House Archive

Grove Hill

Towards Hellingly.

Oast House Archive

Electricity Pylons off Grove Hill

Near to Lewhurst Farm.

Oast House Archive

Cattle Creep Bridge - art work

One of the more elaborate artistic decorations on the Cuckoo Trail. The other parapet has a mirrored arrangement, apart from the lettering, which has the unfortunate result that all of the traffic is shown going in the same direction!

Robin Webster

Footpath by Cuckoo Trail

This footpath follows the hedge of the old railway line, now the Cuckoo Trail, for some distance. It is a pleasant alternative for a walker, giving better eastward views than the trail itself, confined between its high hedges.

Robin Webster

Cuckmere River bank

Attempts to photograph the river here failed because it is very deeply incised, with almost vertical banks treacherously covered with obscuring vegetation.

Robin Webster

Musk Mallow and cattle trough

The trough may not be functional - certainly it is not level. This field is typical on those along this stretch between the Cuckmere River and the Cuckoo Trail, which were all ungrazed and uncut in early July.

Robin Webster