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Black Down and Marley Common
Black Down is part of the Greensand Ridge of the north Weald and at 280 metres is the highest point in Sussex. It forms a prominent landmark for miles around and commands good views across the well-wooded landscape of the Weald. The plateau was once an extensive heath created by grazing and managed as common pasture with bracken cut for bedding and fuel collected from the woodland fringe, which contains some old wood pasture. Marley Common lies to the west of Black Down and is a mixture of wood and heath. Pine and birch scrub is currently being restored to heathland to benefit specialised wildlife. Black Down covers 391 hectares (965 acres).
The Victorian Poet Laureate Lord Tennyson was inspired by the landscape and built his house on the shoulder of the down.
The areas of heathland are dominated by heather, with wetland plants such as Cross-Leaved Heath, Round-Leaved Sundew and common and Hare's Tail Cotton grasses. The old woodlands include Quellwood Common in the south, part of an ancient wood pasture, with oak, beech and holly woods to the south-east. Pine woodland dominates the remainder of Black Down, with rowan, birch, gorse, bramble and bilberry.
Birds include Nuthatch, Woodcock, Nightjar, Crossbill, Meadow Pipit, Linnet, Yellowhammer and Green, Great and Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers. Many invertebrates can be found here, particularly around the bogs, dry heathland and older woodland areas. On its north side, the open meadows and parkland of Valewood Park, with its pattern of small fields, trackways and banks, offers a contrast to the woods of Black Down.
Of historic interest are old chert (local sandstone) quarries on Black Down and some hammerponds at Shottermill, used for milling corn. Woodland coppices produced charcoal to supply the ironworks.
Facilities:
Hunter Basecamp
The Hunter Basecamp is one of 35 purpose-built or converted buildings which now provide simple accommodation in well-provided rural locations. Primarily for groups of volunteers who wish to take part in practical conservation work for the National Trust, it is also available for recreational, educational and corporate groups.
The building was converted in 1980 from redundant farm buildings. Many groups supported the work including the Hunter Association, founded in memory of Sir Robert Hunter and his daughter Dorothy, who both lived in Haslemere and were very important in the formation of the National Trust.
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