Castle Hill is one of the finest examples of ancient, wildflower-rich, chalk grassland sites in the country. It lies within the South Downs National Park and covers 47 hectares. Main habitats: Lowland chalk grassland and mixed scrub. Other designations: Special Site of Scientific Interest, Biogenetic Reserve by the Council of Europe, Special Area of Conservation (SAC) under the European Habitats Directive Features of interest The site’s SAC designation stems mainly from the chalk grassland being sufficiently rich in orchids to be recognized as of European importance. Species include fragrant, common spotted, pyramidal and autumn lady’s tresses, as well as the rare early spider orchid, for which Castle Hill is the national stronghold. Typical chalk flowers to note are kidney vetch, horseshoe vetch, birdsfoot trefoil, fairy flax, dropwort and the round-headed rampion, also known as the Pride of Sussex. Of the 58 UK species of butterfly, 31 have been recorded on Castle Hill, including adonis blue, chalkhill blue, small blue and silver spotted skipper. This grassland contains a wide variety of grasshopper, cricket and leafhopper species, including rarer species like the long-winged cone head and Roessel’s cricket. Rarest of all is the wartbiter cricket which has its largest UK colony here. Birds include whitethroat, linnet, yellowhammer, dunnock and blackcap. Kestrel, sparrowhawk, buzzard, red kite and peregrine have also been seen. There is an information leaflet for this reserve. Directions The reserve is near the path of the South Downs Way National Trail and Route 89 of the Sustrans National Cycle Network. The nearest train station is Falmer, 3 kilometres to the north and there is a mainline train station in Brighton. Bus services between Brighton, Falmer and Woodingdean are provided by the Brighton & Hove Bus and Coach Company. By road, access to the site is by tracks from the B2123 to Woodingdean, or by tracks from the village of Kingston-near-Lewes, 2 kilometres to the north east of the reserve. The nearest car park is in Woodingdean. Contact For information about the reserve contact 0300 060 6000 or email enquiries@naturalengland.org.uk.