Come and explore Nymans’ ancient oak and beech woodland, home to cascades, sandstone outcrops, a lake and a large variety of plants and wildlife. Can you find the tallest tree in Sussex, scurrying squirrels, birdlife on the lake, or fungi?
Planning your visit to the woodlands and estate
The wider estate is part of the High Weald, designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1983, and the woodland is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
You can access the woodland from the visitor car park and there are two walks to enjoy:
The Lake Walk (blue arrows, 1.4 miles, 2.2km).
The Iron Walk (orange arrows, 2.2 miles, 3.5kms).
Trails lead past veteran trees, the old Gamekeeper’s Kennels and flowing cascades. You’ll follow in the footsteps of Medieval iron workers down to the earth dam, once the site of an iron smelting furnace powered by lake water. Along Conifer Avenue you’ll walk amongst giants, including the tallest tree in Sussex. Numbered posts will help to pinpoint your location on the map, while coloured arrows will point you in the right direction. Both walks start/ finish at the bottom of the hill from the car park.
Nymans’ woodland lies nestled in a valley, so some of the paths are steep and at times muddy. We recommend sturdy footwear and make sure you’re dressed for the weather.
Keep your eyes peeled for sculptures created by a local carver, David Lucas, of some of the wildlife you can spot here.
'These woods are so much part of the gardens at Nymans. They are the true English scene, the Midsummer Night’s Dream of my imagination.'
Anne Messel
Explore the woodland on a tour
Each day we run 'Woods Buggy Tours' to help you discover the estate's 250 acres of wildlife-rich woodland. The volunteer-run tours start at 11.30am and 1.30pm and last around 1 hour. Please contact Visitor Reception on 01444 405133 if you need more information.
Walking dogs in the woodlands
Dogs are welcome in the woodlands under close control all year round. Please stick to the paths and keep your dogs in sight at all times. During bird nesting season, from 1 March until 31 August, please keep dogs on leads to protect ground-nesting species of birds.
The woods are a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) partly for their breeding birds. Many birds nest in the shrub and bramble layer and are easily disturbed unintentionally by dogs running through. We ask for everyone’s support to help birds nest and rear their young.
Springtime in the woodland
Our Lead Ranger, George, gives his tips for the best of the season that can be spotted in the woodland.
In spring, you’ll see the yellow and green male catkins of a hazel tree. They hang like earrings, and in the wind, you may see the yellow pollen floating away. Harder to spot is the female flower – it’s pink and about the size of a fingernail. Keep your eyes peeled for them on your next walk.
Blackthorn trees are one of the earliest trees to blossom. With snow-white flowers, they brighten up the waking woodland. Blackthorn is best known for their dark fruits, which are used to make the warming wintry sloe-gin.
Early purple orchids are one of the first orchids to pop up in spring. Before they flower, look out for their distinctive green leaves spotted with purple. They have purple-pink flowers, and each plant could have up to 50 flowers! Primroses, wood anemones, wild daffodils, lesser celandine, violets, and bluebells start to appear in April and May.
Look out for nuthatches in the woods. Their tops are blue grey, with chestnut brown on their sides and a whitish below. These little birds scuttle up and down tree trunks looking for food and their bird call sounds like a laser gun, with a loud and rapid ‘twit-twit-twit-twit’. Greater-spotted woodpeckers, song thrush, green tits, and wrens are all inhabitants of the woodland and you'll spot them when you're out and about.
As spring warms up you'll spot butterflies coming out of hibernation, with brimstones being one of the early species to emerge. Look out for flashes of yellow for male brimstones, and a greenish white for the females. See red admiral and peacock butterflies too.
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Discover more at Nymans
Find out when Nymans is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.
Romantic ruins, intimate gardens and internationally recognised plant collections, all set against a backdrop of the woodland and far-reaching views over the Weald.
Explore Nymans’ medieval style manor, part house, part ruin following a devastating fire in 1947. It now offers romantic ruins and charming rooms to explore.
Discover natural play in the Play Glade, activities and events in the school holidays and an ancient woodland and garden to discover. Picnic anywhere in the garden, or pick up a snack from the cafe or kiosk. Baby change available by the house and in the cafe and car park.
Under generations of the Messel family, Nymans in West Sussex has been through several transformations since the 1890s to become the house, ruin and garden you see today.
Plan a visit to one of the special countryside places in our care and discover the benefits of being in the great outdoors. Pack your walking boots and get ready to explore woodlands, valleys and rivers.
Discover the wide array of countryside settings around Sussex, from the highest point of East Sussex at Ditchling Beacon to the incredible rolling landscape of the South Downs.
Explore some of the finest landscapes in our care on coastal paths, accessible trails, woodland walks and everything in between. Find the best places to walk near you.
