Furnace Plain

Downs, Moorland in Sussex Crawley

England

Furnace Plain

The Hawth The Arts Centre in Crawley. Taken during the annual juggling convention held there (in 1999 in this case) — The Hawth Credit: Alan Simkins

Furnace Plain is a scenic area located in Sussex, England. It is situated in the heart of the picturesque South Downs, encompassing both moorland and downs landscapes. The area is known for its outstanding natural beauty and diverse wildlife.

The terrain of Furnace Plain is characterized by rolling hills, heather-covered moorland, and expansive meadows. It offers breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside, with its expansive skies and vibrant colors. The area is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, attracting hikers, horse riders, and nature lovers alike.

Furnace Plain is home to a variety of plant and animal species. The moorland is carpeted with heather, providing a vibrant purple hue during the summer months. It is also a habitat for several rare bird species, including the Dartford warbler and the stonechat. Additionally, the area supports a rich array of wildlife, such as rabbits, deer, and foxes.

The history of Furnace Plain is deeply rooted in the region. It is believed that the area was once used for iron smelting during the Roman period, hence the name "Furnace Plain." The remnants of ancient ironworks can still be seen in some parts of the landscape.

Overall, Furnace Plain offers a serene and idyllic setting for visitors to immerse themselves in the beauty of nature. With its rolling hills, moorland, and diverse wildlife, it is a must-visit destination for those seeking tranquility and natural wonder in Sussex.

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Furnace Plain Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.099433/-0.16647713 or Grid Reference TQ2834. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

The Hawth

The Arts Centre in Crawley. Taken during the annual juggling convention held there (in 1999 in this case)

Alan Simkins

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

Hawth Theatre

Council-built and owned Theatre opened in 1988

Michael of Crawley

Maidenbower Junior School

Built and opened as a Middle School in the late 1990s, it became a Junior School following the Crawley Schools' Re-organisation in 2004

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

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

Furnace Green Parade, Furnace Green, Crawley

At the centre of the local community, this local parade of shops provides access to most everyday needs for the residents of this Crawley neighbourhood. The style of the parade is slightly more modern than that of Tilgate (TQ2735) - late 1950s?

Pete Chapman

Worth Way, just before passing under B2036, Crawley

The disused railway between Crawley and East Grinstead was converted into a hard surfaced route for non-motorised traffic. Here we see the route heading towards E. Grinstead, just before passing under the Balcombe Road. The tunnel is not an original from the days when steam trains used to ply this route.

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

Bridleway through Oldhouse Warren, Near Crawley, West Sussex.

A wide (and muddy, in places) bridle route through this otherwise private area of woodland. Links Pease Pottage (via Parish Lane) to Whitely Hill.

Pete Chapman

1990/2000s Housing Estate - Chapman Road, Maidenbower Neighbourhood of Crawley, West Sussex

The newest of Crawleys "Neighbourhood" areas. This part of Maidenbower was built on the site of Worth Forest and spreads into the NW corner of this grid square. As was the fashion at the time, the houses on this housing estate are built to appear slightly different from their immediate neighbours. Amazing how many detached/semi-detached houses can fit in such a small area! The photo shows the street name sign in front of the car. All the street name signs in Crawley are of this general pattern (see supplemental photo for details).

Pete Chapman

Chapman Road, Maidenbower - general pattern of street name signs in Crawley.

Sign for Chapman Road, next to Chapman's bike! The "neighbourhood" identity of the various parts of Crawley is emphasised by all of the street name signs having the name of the neighbourhood included on the bottom right corner of the sign (as shown in the picture). Additionally, each neighbourhood has its own colour for the band across the centre of the sign, Maidenbower uses a blue colour. Other area colours include: Northgate (green); Manor Royal Industrial Estate (Black - "Industrial").

Pete Chapman

1990/2000s Housing. Another view of Chapman Road, Crawley, West Sussex

This short road (150m long) has a variety of housing - all helping to make the high packing density feel less oppressive. These houses are in the middle section of the road and are generally bigger than those shown near the street name sign. The origins of the area being a forest are evident in this view, with a couple of very large and mature trees left in situ to add interest to the area.

Pete Chapman

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Furnace Plain is located at Grid Ref: TQ2834 (Lat: 51.099433, Lng: -0.16647713)

Administrative County: West Sussex

District: Crawley

Police Authority: Sussex