Harting Down
Dramatic hill-top views and secluded valleys, with abundant wild flowers
Which places are open and what you need to know before you visit
We’ve opened more than 100 gardens and parks in England and Northern Ireland through advanced booking. From Monday 6 July, we’re gradually opening gardens and parklands in Wales. Tickets are released on Friday for the following week. More than 200 coast and countryside car parks are open across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. All National Trust houses remain closed for now. Read this article to find out what's open and what to expect from your visit.
Harting Down in July
Ruddy darter
They are often found in wooded areas with shallow ponds. Males are crimson red whilst the females are ochre coloured, and both have black legs.They perch in a tree or bush facing out over open space where they can scan for prey.
Marbled white
The striking black-and-white checks of the marbled white are unmistakeable. The adults can often be seen feeding on purple flowers, such as common knapweed and wild marjoram.
Bullfinch
The male is unmistakable with a bright red breast and cheeks, grey back, black cap and tail, and bright white rump. They feed voraciously on tree buds in spring and were once a 'pest' of fruit crops.
Adders
The adder is easily recognised by a dark 'zig-zag' stripe along its back. It hunts lizards, small mammals & ground-nesting birds. It prefers woodland, heathland and moorland habitats.
Whitethroat
They winter in Africa, leaving our shores in early October and heading as far as South Africa. Males whitethroats build nests out of twigs and roots and the females then decide which to take.
Yellowhammer
Spot this bright yellow bird singing from the top of a bush or fence, or in a mixed-species flock in winter. Listen for it's cahractersitic 'little bit of bread and cheeeeeese' song
