Back to top

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
View on map

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

Map

Map Loading...
  • Selected icon Scything on the South Downs
  • Working Holiday Working holiday
  • National Trust Place icon National Trust place to visit
  • Multiple places icon Multiple places
South front of the house from the meadow at Uppark House and Garden, West Sussex.

Uppark House and Garden

Uppark: a tranquil and intimate 18th-century house
A view of the Vandalian tower from Harting Hill

Harting Down

Dramatic hill-top views and secluded valleys, with abundant wild flowers
Bluebells in a woodland

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.
Standing on Hat Hill looking along the course of the abandoned railway

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

Similar working holidays

Volunteers clearing vegetation on a working holiday

Scrub up for butterflies

Cissbury Ring, West Sussex
Holiday type: Trust
Activity type: Coast and countryside

Help improve the habitat for butterflies at Cissbury Ring.

Sat 9th November for 7 nights - £170
Identifying plant species on a survey

Bats, butterflies and a boat

West Exmoor, Devon
Holiday type: Trust
Activity type: Coast and countryside, Rural skills, Survey

Get to know the flora and fauna of beautiful North Devon.

Sun 23rd June for 6 nights - £160
Identifying plant species on a survey

Meadow, heathland and wildlife surveying

Swan Barn Farm, Surrey
Holiday type: Trust
Activity type: Survey

Survey the meadow and heath flora of north West Sussex with the rangers from Black Down.

Sat 6th July for 7 nights - £170