This summer (2024) Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust (HIWWT) undertook Great Crested Newt (GCN) surveys at Clayton Wood. We have a small population of GCN’s with a total of 39 sightings across the survey period. However, these largely consisted of immature newts and only 4 adults were observed in total. In comparison, 12 […]

On a glorious sunny autumnal morning, Tess and a team of volunteers hosted a Macmillan coffee morning in Clayton Wood’s Oak Hall. Along with the team’s usual tombola, the morning featured a table of homemade preserves and bakes, draught excluders and knitted Christmas teddies and toys. Visitors were also asked to bring along memories of […]

Hundreds of trees and shrubs have been planted at a burial site in Hassocks which will provide an important green corridor for the local wildlife. Planting took place in December at Clayton Wood Natural Burial Ground, located just off Brighton Road, and will form part of The Queen’s Green Canopy. Clayton Wood is a tranquil […]

Seven different species of bat have been recorded at Clayton Wood Natural Burial Ground, in West Sussex. The results are part of the latest monitoring surveys at the natural burial ground in the South Downs National Park which shows wildlife is continuing to thrive. The burial ground works closely with the local Wildlife Trust to ensure it makes […]

Great Crested Newts, a soprano pipistrelle bat and 122 species of plants have all been discovered at a natural burial site in the South Downs National Park. Opened more than 10 years ago, Clayton Wood Natural Burial Ground has been working with a local wildlife trust to ensure it makes a positive difference to the […]

We are delighted to find out that a Soprano Pipistrelle Bat has taken residence at one of our Bat boxes located at the grounds. Pipistrelle Bats are one of the smallest Bat species in the UK and are crevice dwellers. Soprano Pipistrelles tend to favour riparian habitats, such as lakes and wet woodlands, where there […]

Coping with death can be an overwhelming experience for any adult. So how do you even start to explain it to a child? Ingrid McAllister-Derry, The Bereavement Manager & Care Liaison Officer at Southern Co-op, explains that one of the most important things is to do is make sure they are involved. If children are […]