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Location: Ebernoe Common, near Petworth, West SussexOS: SU 977 277
Habitat: Meadow, ponds, scrub, marsh grassland and ancient semi-natural woodland
Furnace Meadow lies in a small valley to the north of Ebernoe Common and gets it’s name from the nearby 17th century ironworks and furnace pond.
The 10 acre field had been neglected before we bought the land, but since grazing was restored in 1995 it has burst into life once more and contains a range of habitats, from meadow to marshy grassland, scrub and stream.
Brick Kiln Rough, adjacent to Furnace Meadow, is also owned by Plantlife and consists mostly of ancient semi-natural woodland on north- and east-facing slopes. This area is named after the brick kiln which was in use at the end of the eighteenth century, using local clay and wood for fuel. The remains of the brick kiln can still be seen today.
In total the Furnace Meadow and Brick Kiln Rough nature reserve covers 15.8 acres. With a variety of habitats from meadow to ancient woodlands at the site, a host of wild plants can be found.
Wild flowers found in the drier areas of Furnace Meadow include Pepper Saxifrage Silaum silaus, Musk Mallow Malva moschata and Betony Betonica officinalis. Wetter areas and the streamside support Sneezewort Achillea ptarmica and Marsh Foxtail Alopecurus geniculatus.
Much of the meadow is steeply sloping and the soil slippage there provides ideal conditions for a range of specialist plants. Early-purple Orchid Orchis Mascula begins to flower in May, and is followed by Common Spotted Orchid Dactylorhiza fuchsii, Broad-leaved Helleborine Epipactis helleborine and others.
The woodland of Brick Kiln Rough which is mostly Oak, with some Ash, Maple and Hazel, supports a rich and interesting ground flora including Daffodil (wild) Narcissus pseudonarcissus, Bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Wood Anemone Anemone nemorosa, Greater Butterfly-orchid Platanthera chlorantha and Early-purple Orchid Orchis Mascula
There is also a small clearing underneath pylon lines which is home to Oxeye Daisy Leucanthemum vulgare, Cowslip Primula Veris, Ragged-Robin Silene flos-cuculi and Glaucous Sedge Carex flacca.
From Petworth, take the A283 north for about 31/2 miles. On the brow of the hill take the minor road to the right, signposted to Ebernoe. There is a red telephone box on the left hand side just past the Ebernoe cricket pitch. A few metres further on, turn right into the track which leads to the reserve car park next to Holy Trinity church.
The nearest train station is Billingshurst which is 10 miles from the reserve.
Traditionally, the meadow was grazed by cattle and horses and sometimes with sheep in winter. Grazing is vital to prevent coarse, fast-growing plants from dominating the less vigorous flowers, but unfortunately grazing ceased at the end of the 1980s.
Livestock have been re-introduced in an attempt to restore the meadow to its former glory.
The meadow is managed by Sussex Wildlife Trust. The purchase of this nature reserve was made possible by Timotei.
Summer in the meadow
A range of habitats at Furnace Meadow and Brick Kiln Rough
Looking down towards the edge of the meadow and to the woodlands in the distance
Looking out from the tree line at Furnace Meadow
Looking out across Furnace Meadow
Wildflowers in the field at Furnace Meadow
Sussex Cattle grazing in the field
Pepper Saxifrage in the field at Furnace Meadow
24 Plantlife
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