Volunteering at Devil's Dyke

Volunteers watch a pile of scrub burn on a countryside site as they clear the woody material to allow the more fragile chalk grassland to flourish — Volunteers clear scrub to allow the more fragile chalk grassland to flourish

Do you want to help look after one of the best downland estates in Britain's newest National Park? Join our team of volunteers at Devil’s Dyke.

Get your hands dirty

Come rain or shine our volunteers are always in the great outdoors looking after the 2,000-acre Devil's Dyke estate. From having a bonfire in winter, to restoring dewponds in summer there's something for everyone.

Email us to join our practical team

Enjoy the South Downs National Park with the National Trust

The outdoors experience

If working with people is your thing, join our small outdoors education team. Our dedicated team are always organising activities for schools, acting as guides and helping at the many events we run.

This is a great chance to be creative, have fun and work with inspiring people.

Dressing up

Are you a budding Lawrence Olivier or do you see yourself as more of a Judy Garland? From Victorian-themed days to our legendary Halloween walk there are many opportunities to put on a costume and become a new person for a day.

A bearded volunteer dressed up in historical clothing sits on the steps of an old green shepherd's caravan, telling stories to a groups of children — Living history - storytelling time from the old shepherd’s caravan

Research

Are you looking for a project for your degree or do you have a fascination for farming history? Then we might well have something for you. From surveying plants to trawling through historical documents, there's a wealth of information we need collecting. You might even have your own idea for a project.

Looking after our animals

At Devil’s Dyke we don’t own any stock but work closely with our farmers to help make sure they are well cared for. We run a simple 'lookering' system: checking fences, water troughs and gates, and making sure the animals all still have four legs and two eyes.

Helping in the workshop

Are you good with your hands? Relish a challenge? Or do you just like a bit of tinkering?
There are 101 different jobs that need doing in our workshop and around Saddlescombe. From sharpening tools to major projects like restoring old farm machinery, we can keep you busy and provide you tea.

Education volunteers

Several children laying on grass examining some bugs in pots — Children bug hunting in summer

Why not join our dedicated team of volunteers who work with local schools? If you are creative and love working outdoors with enthusiastic kids we would love to hear from you.

Meet Jenna

"I had a sabbatical for 6 months and this is where I chose. There isn’t a typical day - I could be making bonfires, laying hedges, cleaning ponds or dressing up as a Victorian."

Meet Joc

"Before I knew it I was invited along to an education team meeting and was asked to dress up as a gypsy fortune teller and organise a Girl Guide trip."

Meet Amy

"A typical day starts with a quick catch up with tea and biscuits before we head out into the field. I am using GPS to create informative maps using GIS software."

Where do our Friends of Devil’s Dyke work?

Sunset looking north from Devil's Dyke, South Downs, West Sussex — The Friends of Devil's Dyke help to preserve the South Downs

Friends of Devil's Dyke (FODD) help look after over 2,000 acres of glorious downland, woodland and farmland. Without them the Devil's Dyke estate and people's enjoyment of it would be a lot poorer.

FODD can be found working at Devil's Dyke, Saddlescombe Farm and Newtimber Hill, Fulking Escarpment, Wolstonbury Hill and Southwick Hill. Why not join them?

Find a volunteer role

Whatever you're looking for, we have many opportunities to choose from at places near you
Search our volunteer opportunities