Clay Pit 1: Showcasing the Beauty of Nature
At Uckfield Millennium Green, we invite you to explore the charm of our clay pit, accessed conveniently via steps from the main pathway. Take a leisurely stroll along our circular walk, where you'll be enveloped by the delightful sight of coppiced willow, showcasing the beauty of nature. We've dedicated a naturalised area to wildlife, ensuring that this space remains a refuge for cherished creatures. Keep an eye out for a seasonal pond that often appears during the cooler months—it's a perfect spot for reflection and tranquility. Visit us and experience the unique wonder of Uckfield Millennium Green.
Clay Pit 2:
A Wildlife Haven in Uckfield
Discover the natural beauty of Clay Pit 2, a significant area within the Uckfield Millennium Green. This former clay pit now features Gordons Walk, offering a pleasant stroll. The remaining expanse has been intentionally naturalised, creating a vital wildlife haven in Uckfield. To protect this delicate ecosystem, there are no designated public pathways beyond Gordons Walk, allowing nature to thrive undisturbed.
Exciting developments are underway in our expanded wetland area. Over the winter, we've been diligently clearing debris and deepening the water to create an even more supportive environment. While still a work in progress, our aim is to establish a thriving habitat that will hopefully attract and support Great Crested Newts, contributing to local biodiversity and conservation efforts in Uckfield.
Clay Pit 3: A Natural Haven in Uckfield
Explore Clay Pit 3, an expansive open grassland area easily accessible from the main path within the Uckfield Millennium Green. This inviting space is crisscrossed by numerous secondary paths and convenient access points, perfect for leisurely walks and enjoying nature.
Witness the fascinating process of naturalisation as trees and scrub areas gradually enrich this former clay pit. This evolving landscape provides valuable wildlife habitat within Uckfield.
Of particular interest is a locally created hibernacula, a carefully constructed compost pile offering essential reptile overwintering and safe refuge. This feature supports local wildlife conservation efforts and provides a sanctuary for creatures seeking shelter.
Eastern Meadow: Uckfield's Largest Grassland
Explore the beauty of the Eastern Meadow, a significant area of grassland and the largest meadow within the Uckfield Millennium Green. Gently sloping to the south, this vibrant space is home to a diverse array of grasses and captivating flora, offering a picturesque landscape. For wildlife enthusiasts, carefully managed small areas of scrub provide essential habitats. Navigate the main path to discover the impressive Millennium Feature and tranquil Tree Circle. Numerous secondary paths invite further exploration of this beautiful natural space.
Western Meadow North:
Discover the charm of the Western Meadow North, a delightful area of grassland located to the north-west of the Uckfield Millennium Green. This natural haven supports a wide variety of indigenous grasses and captivating flora, creating a picturesque landscape. Wander along the inviting secondary paths that crisscross this peaceful area.
Western Meadow South: A Haven of Grasses and Flora
Explore the tranquil beauty of the Western Meadow South, an expansive area of grassland nestled to the southwest of the Green. This vibrant space boasts a rich tapestry of diverse grasses and captivating flora, offering a delightful experience for nature enthusiasts. Discover a network of secondary paths winding through the meadow, inviting leisurely strolls and opportunities to immerse yourself in the natural surroundings.
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Discover the Enchanting Tree Circle (The Twelve Apostles) at Uckfield Millennium Green
One of the most captivating and thoughtfully designed features of the Uckfield Millennium Green is its magnificent Tree Circle, often referred to locally as The Twelve Apostles. This formal yet natural landmark comprises three concentric rings of trees, carefully selected to create a dynamic and evolving space.
Currently, the circle is formed by thirty-six trees, a harmonious blend of robust Oaks, stately Scots Pines, beautiful Wild Cherry, and vibrant Field Maple. Over time, the twelve majestic Oak trees at the heart of the design are intended to outlive their companions, eventually standing proudly and independently as The Twelve Apostles, a living testament to time and nature.
Uckfield Millennium Green: Dedicated Play and Picnic Area
Discover the fenced Play and Picnic Area at the heart of the Uckfield Millennium Green! This secure and family-friendly space provides a wonderful environment for children's play and enjoyable picnics. Uniquely, this designated area is a dog-free zone, ensuring a clean and safe environment for everyone.
Beyond the play area, the Green boasts a beautiful central meadow, reminiscent of a tranquil woodland glade, bordered by a charming small wood. Visitors can enjoy a relaxing picnic at the available picnic bench and explore the informal woodland trail.
The central meadow benefits from more frequent cutting, maintaining a pleasant space for recreation. Come and enjoy the Uckfield Millennium Green – your local destination for outdoor play, relaxing picnics, and nature exploration in a dog-free environment.
Discover the Enchanting Butterfly Haven at Uckfield Millennium Green
Explore our dedicated Butterfly Haven, a vibrant area specifically managed to support a rich diversity of butterflies and other wildlife. This unique space begins with a sunny grassy expanse, naturally dotted with fascinating anthills, creating a dynamic landscape. Moving eastward, the terrain gently transitions into a marshy habitat, lush with various grasses and sedges, providing essential resources for numerous species.
An unmanaged, small, circular grass path meanders through the area, offering visitors a chance to observe nature up close. Importantly, a thoughtfully constructed local hibernaculum, built from scrub and grass cuttings, provides crucial overwintering shelter and safe refuge for reptiles within the haven.
To actively preserve butterfly habitat and support late-season activity, these vital areas are intentionally excluded from the annual meadow mow. Experience the beauty of nature and the fluttering wings of butterflies in this special corner of the Uckfield Millennium Green.
Discover the Magic of Shakespeare's Arena at Uckfield Millennium Green
Step into a captivating outdoor experience at Shakespeare's Arena, a unique performance space nestled within the beautiful Uckfield Millennium Green. Our open-air venue offers a delightful setting for a wide array of events, making it a vibrant hub for arts and community in Uckfield, East Sussex, and beyond.
Experience the thrill of outdoor theatre productions, the joy of live musical performances, the enchantment of storytelling sessions, and the warmth of community gatherings – all under the open sky. Shakespeare's Arena is the perfect open-air venue to enjoy cultural events and connect with your community in a picturesque environment.
Explore the beauty of Bob's Walk
Take a stroll along Bob's Walk, a shaded route that graces the north-western perimeter of the Uckfield Millennium Green, found directly adjacent to Pit 1. This primarily wooded section holds historical significance as the site of an Elm tree planting in 1988. These trees were introduced as part of a dedicated Elm reintroduction project aimed at restoring the species after the blight of Dutch Elm Disease. Enjoy a natural walk in Uckfield and learn about local conservation efforts on the Millennium Green.
Discover Gordon's Walk: A Tranquil Trail at the Uckfield Millennium Green
Escape into nature along Gordon's Walk, a beautiful, shaded path encircling Pit 2 at the Uckfield Millennium Green. This picturesque route gently descends into the former pit, offering a unique perspective as it crosses through.
Principally a wooded area, Gordon's Walk provides a peaceful environment for walkers and nature enthusiasts. Explore a diverse range of trees and discover our developing boardwalk that meanders through a seasonally wetland area. This important habitat is currently being enhanced to create a thriving environment for the protected Great Crested Newt.
Explore the Historic Southern Boundary Walk (Hornbeam Avenue)
Discover the captivating Southern Boundary Walk along Hornbeam Avenue in Uckfield. This intriguing path features a boundary hedge of significant age, potentially originating from ancient woodland in Uckfield. Observe impressive old Hornbeam stools and mature Oak trees, alongside evidence of more recent replanting efforts.
Navigate the varied terrain of this Uckfield walking route, which includes a series of steps and charming sleeper bridges along the way. Experience a blend of natural history and scenic beauty on the Southern Boundary Walk.
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Discover the Shady Western Boundary Walk (Oak Passage)
Explore the tranquil Western Boundary Walk, also known as the Oak Passage, a beautifully shaded path tracing the western edge of the Uckfield Millennium Green. This peaceful route runs immediately alongside the historic Ridgewood House estate. Along the boundary walk, you'll encounter a fascinating collection of veteran boundary trees, ancient guardians of the landscape, complemented by more recent tree planting initiatives. Enjoy a leisurely walk in Uckfield and discover the natural beauty of this special Uckfield walking trail.
Discover the uckfield Millennium Green Ponds
Boosted Biodiversity at Uckfield Millennium Green! In 2022, the Uckfield Millennium Green Trust collaborated with the Newt Conservation Partnership to enhance the local ecosystem.
We successfully created two new wildlife ponds, specifically designed to provide an attractive habitat for the protected Great Crested Newt. While the original pond often supports these fascinating amphibians, these additional ponds aim to significantly increase the Great Crested Newt population within the Green.
Constructed within former clay pits, the creation of these watertight ponds required the careful removal of old clay pipe drains – a task that sometimes demanded a second attempt to ensure success.
The impressive result is two thriving new ponds, covering approximately 350m² and 333m² respectively. These new water features are already proving to be a magnet for a diverse range of new wildlife, further enriching the biodiversity of Uckfield Millennium Green.
Discover the Uckfield Millennium Feature: A Testament to Our Green Heritage
Explore the Millennium Feature, a significant element of the Uckfield Millennium Green. Nestled at the scenic viewpoint atop the eastern meadow, this thoughtfully designed area invites you to pause and appreciate the surroundings. The feature includes a comfortable seating bench and a distinctive brick wall that proudly showcases the rich brickwork heritage of the Green.
Notably, the bricks forming the perimeter dwarf walls are authentic examples salvaged from the original Uckfield brickworks. This tangible link to our local history adds a unique and fascinating dimension to the Millennium Green, connecting visitors to the industrial past of Uckfield.
Elm Walk: A Living Part of the Great British Elm Experiment
Discover the eleven elm trees gracing the Green along Elm Walk in Uckfield, a significant local contribution to the nationwide Great British Elm Experiment.
Established in 2012 by the Conservation Foundation in response to the devastating impact of Dutch Elm Disease (DED), which has tragically wiped out approximately 25 million elm trees across the UK, the experiment seeks to understand why some elm trees have survived successive outbreaks. Cuttings and saplings from these resilient parent trees were distributed throughout the country to test whether their survival was accidental or indicative of a developed resistance to Dutch Elm Disease.
This long-term study will monitor these special elm trees for a decade or more. Beyond investigating DED resistance, the experiment plays a crucial role in establishing a new generation of elm trees across the UK, ensuring these magnificent trees can be enjoyed by future generations.
The elm saplings destined for Uckfield arrived in January 2013. After two years of careful nurturing, they were planted in their permanent home on the Green during the winter of 2015/16.
The eleven elm trees along Elm Walk represent a diverse collection of elm varieties, including:
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Wych Elm (Ulmus glabra)
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Field Elm / Small-leaved Elm (Ulmus minor)
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English Elm (Ulmus procera)
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Huntingdon Elm (Ulmus x hollandica 'Vegeta')
Visit Elm Walk in Uckfield to witness a tangible piece of national tree conservation and the ongoing efforts to restore the iconic elm to the British landscape. Learn more about Dutch Elm Disease, elm tree resistance, and the vital work of the Conservation Foundation.
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