A microcosm of different habitats within one site - various woodland, carr, wet and dry heath, two large ponds and bogs

Just three miles south of Petworth an old water mill overlooks a tranquil 16th century hammer pond, where fishermen punt lazily across the water searching for carp, great crested grebes dive for roach and rudd, and kingfishers splash for the small fry.

Burton and Chingford Ponds is jointly managed by Sussex Wildlife Trust and West Sussex County Council.

What you can see

Pond edge and boggy plants such as tussock sedge, bogbean and southern marsh orchid, wildfowl, visiting migrants and numerous dragonflies including scarce chaser, golden-ringed and emperor

Access

The best way to experience this reserve is to start at the mill, where limited parking is available. On a certain number of days cream teas are served from the mill. The entire nature trail is on level ground with only one stile at Crouch Farm. The nature trail includes surfaced and unsurfaced footpaths, minor roads and a boardwalk over the wettest areas.

Location

Size

56 hectares

Further information

Nature Reserve guide entry (pdf)

Species Recording Form

National cycle network near this nature reserve

Nearby SWT reserves

Amberley Wildbrooks

The Mens

Waltham Brooks