A hidden hamlet nestled in the downs
A partnership of 10 organisations has received initial National Lottery support for the Changing Chalk project. Made possible by National Lottery players, the partnership will work with local communities and landowners to connect people with nature and address challenges facing the Sussex Downs to protect this fragile chalk grassland landscape for future generations.
Newtimber Hill is Sussex countryside at its finest with ancient woodland, chalk grassland and long reaching views of the sea and across the Weald. In early autumn, the hill is covered in a purple blanket of devil's bit scabious. It is also a real hot spot for rare flora and fauna like the silver spotted skipper butterfly, burnt orchid and juniper. A 1,000 year old lime tree and bluebells galore hide in the woodland.
Saddlescombe is a hidden gem on the South Downs Way.
Near Devil's Dyke in West Sussex, the hamlet is only five miles from the seaside city of Brighton.
It has seen hundreds of years of occupation since it was first recorded in the Domesday Book and once home to the Kinghts Templar. The oldest part of the present day farmhouse dates from around 1630. Tucked amongst the outbuildings you will find an incrediblly well preserved example of a donkey wheel. These were used to raise water from a well 50m below the farm.
Today Saddlescombe is a working farm hamlet so some areas are closed to the public. You are still welcome to visit the donkey wheel and spacious information barn at any time of the year. Both are signposted from the South Downs national trail which runs through the farm.
Most of our places run the Gift Aid on Entry scheme at their admission points.
Under this scheme, if you're not a member you have the choice of two entry tickets:
If the place runs Gift Aid on Entry, we'll offer you a clear choice between the Gift Aid Admission prices and the Standard Admission prices at the admission point. It's entirely up to you which ticket you choose.
Gift Aid Admission includes a 10 per cent or more voluntary donation. Gift Aid Admissions let us reclaim tax on the whole amount paid - an extra 25 per cent - potentially a very significant boost to our places' funds.
An extra £1 paid under the scheme can be worth over £3 to the National Trust as shown below:
| Gift Aid | Standard | |
|---|---|---|
| Amount paid by visitor | £11.00 | £10.00 |
| Tax refund from Government* | £2.75 | £0.00 |
| Total received by the National Trust | £13.75 | £10.00 |
*Gift Aid Admissions let us reclaim tax on the whole amount paid - an extra 25 per cent - potentially a very significant boost to our places' funds.
