A traditional cache at an informative location - it's well worth a visit to the little hut to find out about the history of the site and look at the beautiful paintings of the birds
LOCAL INFORMATION
Kingley Vale is a magical location owned and managed by Natural England and the West Dean Estate. The landscape is a steep sided dry valley (known as a dry coombe) which is home to chalk grassland, scrub and mixed woodland. It is, however, most well known for its spectacular ancient yew forest that covers most of the southern part of the site, thought to be one of the finest examples of this habitat anywhere in Europe. The nature importance of this site led to it being designated as a Natural Nature reserve (NNR) in 1952, one of the first in the country to be designated.
These rich habitats support a wide variety of plant and animal species including: Butterflies – such as chalkhill blue and brimstone Breeding birds – such as nightingales and blackcaps Birds of prey – such as buzzards and tawny owls Mammals – such as fallow deer and bats Chalk grassland species – such as wild thyme, marjoram and orchids
As well as its rich natural history Kingley Vale is also one of the most important archaeological sites in Southern England. The nature trail through the reserve leads steeply uphill to two Bronze Age barrows (burial mounds) at the top of Bow Hill known as the Devils Humps. These are two of 14 scheduled ancient monuments on the reserve. In more recent time, during World War II the site was used as a training ground for British and Canadian troops in preparation for D-Day. This activity has left its scar on the landscape and you can still see evidence with bullet holes in some of the yews and WWII dugouts.
DISCOVERING MORE
There is a discreetly signed nature trail through the reserve that takes about an hour to complete. The trail encompasses the fabulous Yew forest before rising steeply uphill to take in the Bronze Age Barrows and returning through dappled woodland to the valley floor. The views at the top of Bow Hill are spectacular. You can find out more about the reserve, it’s history, mangement and wildlife in the Field Centre at the entrance to the reserve.
The nearest villages to Kingley Vale are West Lavant, West Stoke (where you can park), Woodend, Chilgrove and Stoughton
TRAVELLING SUSTAINABLY
There is no bus access to the site but the reserve is near the Cycle Chichester route of the Sustrans National Cycle Network.
You can cycle to this geocache, access to the area is via the bridleway from Downs Road, Brownhill Lane or Well Down of the B2141. Please note - you cannot cycle inside the Nature Reserve, there is cycle parking near the visitor hut, please lock up your bikes and enjoy a walk around the reserve.
PERMISSION
Cache placed with kind permission from Natural England