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Scything on the South Downs

Uppark House and Gardens, West Sussex
Volunteer sharpens her scythe on a working holiday
Volunteer sharpens her scythe on a working holiday

At-a-glance details

  • Dates1 June 2019 to 8 June 2019
  • Holiday typeTrust
  • AvailabilityPlaces available
  • Activity type Gardening, Historic house, Rural skills, Survey
  • Cost£170
  • Physicality6
  • Holiday code19BTX153
  • AccommodationHunter Bunkhouse
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About Scything on the South Downs

Try your hand at scything in the flower-rich meadows of South Downs.

Assist the team with work around Uppark house and gardens, in South Harting overlook the rolling hills of the South Downs. Tasks will include fence line removal, grassland scything and monitoring and getting stuck into an exciting new pond restoration project nearby at the old pump house.

About the accommodation

Situated in a lovely rural location, but near the small market town of Haslemere, the bunkhouse is a countryside retreat on the edge of the South Downs National Park, with easy access to railway and road links to London and beyond. Situated on Swan Barn Farm surrounded by ancient meadows, woodland and orchards, this recently refurbished building has a well-equipped kitchen and comfortable lounge complete with a wood-burning stove. There is plenty of outdoor space to sit and relax in as well as a barbecue area.

Notes for guests

Please bring steel toe-capped boots (we can provide gloves). For survey work please bring hand lenses and binoculars if you have them.

A standard kit list can be found on our Essential Information page. 

Enquire and book

Call 0344 800 3099

Opening times

Monday to Friday: 9am to 9pm
Saturday: 9am to 7pm
Sunday: 9am to 1pm
We are also open 9am to 5pm on bank holidays.

Email working.holidays@nationaltrust.org.uk

Places nearby

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View of Uppark house from the meadow in autumn

Uppark House and Garden

A tranquil 17th-century house set within intimate gardens and woodland.
A herd of fallow deer graze on the grassland at Harting Down

Harting Down

Dramatic hill-top views and secluded valleys, with abundant wild flowers
Join us for our winter events

Woolbeding Countryside

Experience a landscape shaped by traditional rural life
Explore the views from the Tulip Folly

Woolbeding Gardens

Nestled in a quiet corner of West Sussex lies a true horticultural haven bursting with colourful planting, sensational views and a whole host of surprises.
Maiden Beeches beside the trail in Drovers Estate

Drovers Estate

Nestled in undulating hills, step back to a timeless rural life
Selborne Common in spring

Selborne Common

Discover the magnificent beech woods and flower-filled meadows that inspired Gilbert White

Share this working holiday

Scything on the South Downs

Uppark House and Gardens, West Sussex
Call 0344 800 3099
Email working.holidays@nationaltrust.org.uk

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