Birchen Wood

Wood, Forest in Sussex Rother

England

Birchen Wood

Pyramid in Brightling Churchyard Brightling Church is 13th century. Built on the site of a wooden chapel that was built in 1080. Beside the church is the Pyramid Tomb built in 1810 the last resting place of a man known as mad Jack Fuller. — Pyramid in Brightling Churchyard Credit: Janet Richardson

Birchen Wood, located in Sussex, England, is a picturesque forest that enchants visitors with its natural beauty and tranquil ambiance. Spanning over a vast area, the wood is predominantly composed of birch trees, which contribute to its name and distinctive character. These tall and slender trees form a dense canopy, casting dappled sunlight onto the forest floor below.

The woodland floor is carpeted with a rich tapestry of flora, including bluebells, primroses, and wood anemones, creating a vibrant and colorful display during the spring months. In addition to the birch trees, other tree species such as oak, ash, and beech can be found, adding further diversity to the landscape.

Birchen Wood is renowned for its biodiversity and serves as a haven for various wildlife species. Bird enthusiasts can spot a variety of feathered friends, including woodpeckers, nuthatches, and tawny owls. The undergrowth provides habitat for mammals like squirrels, foxes, and badgers, which can occasionally be observed foraging for food.

The wood attracts nature lovers, hikers, and photographers who seek solace in its peaceful atmosphere and stunning scenery. Numerous walking trails wind through the forest, allowing visitors to explore its hidden treasures and picturesque vistas. The rustling of leaves underfoot and the gentle chirping of birds create a symphony of sounds that further enhances the wood's enchanting allure.

Birchen Wood is not only a recreational destination but also plays a vital role in maintaining the local ecosystem. It acts as a carbon sink, purifying the air and providing a habitat for a myriad of organisms. Its preservation is of utmost importance to conserve the natural heritage of Sussex and ensure future generations can enjoy its wonders.

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Birchen Wood Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 50.956284/0.41164184 or Grid Reference TQ6920. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Pyramid in Brightling Churchyard

Brightling Church is 13th century. Built on the site of a wooden chapel that was built in 1080. Beside the church is the Pyramid Tomb built in 1810 the last resting place of a man known as mad Jack Fuller.

Janet Richardson

The Rotunda Temple

The Rotunda Temple taken from the Cricket Pitch in Brightling Park. John (Madjack) Fuller built this circular domed building in the Grecian style. It is 25ft high. There are many stories of why it was built. The most feasible is that it was used to store wine and other goods to be used when visiting the Temple on a hot summer afternoon, as this was an ideal spot to take tea. This is one of Mad Jack's five Follies.

Janet Richardson

Jack Fuller's Inn

This Inn, in the hamlet of Oxley's Green near Brightling, is named after the eccentric MP for Eastbourne, Mad Jack Fuller. He built numerous follies in the area and also the Belle Tout lighthouse near Birling Gap.

Geoff Ayres

'Garden Cottage' & Road Junction at Brightling

Garden Cottage, nearest the camera, is full of character, built of ashlar with tile hanging above at one end. Even the garden wall is a delightful mix of ashlar and patched brickwork. The cottage sits beside the junction of the roads to Wood's Corner, Dallington and Robertsbridge.

Nigel Stickells

Gypsum Mine Conveyor Belt at Brightling

This enclosed conveyor belt has been likened to a centipede crawling through the wooded countryside. It conveys material from a mine that is to the north-west of Brightling for processing over 3 miles away at Mountfield north of Battle. Viewed looking south-eastwards.

Nigel Stickells

Gypsum Mine Conveyor Belt at Brightling

Viewed north-westwards this enclosed conveyor belt passes under the Brightling-Robertsbridge road as seen above. The structure is about 4-5 feet high and replaces an earlier aerial ropeway. Material is carried some 3 miles from the mine for processing, and is used in the manufacture of various forms of plaster and cement.

Nigel Stickells

The Old Stores & Hollingrove Cottage

This attractive duo is to be found in the small hamlet of Hollingrove near Brightling. Though each house is quite different from the other in constructional materials, they are both typical of the area. Hollingrove Cottage, furthest from the camera, was in fact three 18th century cottages, now one building, Grade II listed.

Nigel Stickells

Hollingrove Barn at Hollingrove

Holingrove Barn is in the hamlet of Hollingrove to the east of Brightling. The barn is L-shaped and has been converted to a house. It is 18th century with ashlar walls, Grade II listed.

Nigel Stickells

The Chapel House at Hollingrove

The Chapel House is to be found at the only junction of the minor roads that pass through the small hamlet of Hollingrove near Brightling. The relatively modest building has impressive Dutch gable ends and with its symmetrical doorways resembles a village school rather than a Chapel House.

Nigel Stickells

Bridge Carrying Conveyor near Oxley's Green

This bridge carries an enclosed conveyor belt over the small lane that leads southwards from Oxley's Green. The conveyor carries material from a gypsum mine located a mile to the northwest of this point for processing to a factory some 2 miles to the southeast of this crossing. See also square TQ6821.

Nigel Stickells

Jack Fuller's View

A view from the viewing port in one of Jack Fuller's Follies - The Tower. The porthole points toward Bodiam Castle about eight miles away, now obscured by the tip of the holly tree in the middle. The plausible story is that Jack had the tower built so he could keep an eye (via a telescope) on goings-on at his recently purchased Bodiam Castle, which he then had restored from near dereliction.

Robin Webster

A Fuller Folly - The Tower

This is surrounded by trees now, so awkward to photograph satisfactorily. The viewing port may be noted, through which Jack Fuller viewed Bodiam Castle. There is a modern internal steel staircase to reach this port, freely open at the time of the photograph.

Robin Webster

Darwell Reservoir Wood boundary

A chicane on the bridleway marking the start of the part of Darwell Wood owned by Southern Water, which they have named (along with Scaland Wood) as Darwell Reservoir Wood.

Robin Webster

Brightling - Mountfield Conveyor

Mark Duncan

Hay field and woodland north of Oxley's Green

Wealden mix of field and woods.

Jonathan Billinger

Jack Fuller's

Located at Oxley Green, just outside Brightling village on the road to Robertsbridge, is a building that was once a pub called The Fullers Arms. Legend has it that in order to gain permission to erect his pyramid mausoleum in the churchyard, the vicar of Brightling asked that Jack Fuller move the local pub to a new location. The Green Man, then across the street from the church, was moved to the new site, half a mile down the road. Local lore explains that the vicar was disconcerted because too many village folk, including the bell ringers, were spending part of their Sunday at the pub. In recent years it was a restaurant called Jack Fuller's. The property was sold and re-opened as a pub in the spring of 2002. It is now a private home.

Jonathan Billinger