@southdownsnp.bsky.social
The official National Park Authority BlueSkySocial account, proudly delivering for Nature, Climate and People. https://linktr.ee/SouthDowns
Sloe berries on a blackthorn tree
There's no business like sloe business.
Despite the charms of its fruit, in folklore blackthorn has a sinister reputation, connected with tales of doom and witchcraft, with witches supposedly using wands made of blackthorn.
#SouthDowns
The orange Araneus diadematus aka garden spider, sitting in a leaf
It's not #SpookySeason without a spider or two.
π· R.Kiernan
π·οΈ Garden spider (Araneus diadematus)
#SouthDowns
A footpath through an autumnal woodland with trees of gold and yellow leaves
Who's excited about leafy autumn trails?
With over 3,300km of footpaths, bridleways and byways, there's loads of great opportunities to make the most of the Autumn.
Check out some of our suggested walking routes π www.southdowns.gov.uk/get-active/south-downs-walks
π· Sam Moore
π Friston Forest
The red and white fly agaric mushroom
Fly agaric.
Stunning to look at but poisonous.
It can be spotted on lowland heath around birch and pine, where it is thought to have a mycorrhizal relationship - sharing nutrients between tree roots and the fungi itself.
π· Olivia French
#SouthDowns #AutumnVibes
A field of pumpkins stretching back a long distance
'Tis the season...πβ
β
π· Emily Summers-Milemanβ
π Rogate β
#Autumn #AutumnVibes
An autumnal scene of woodland with yellowing-brown leaves
π Autumnal bliss π
Stay up to date with the latest news from the South Downs National Park by signing-up to our newsletter.
Hear about upcoming events, ideas for days out and competitions π www.southdowns.gov.uk/join-the-new...
π· Andrew Tullett
π Arundel
An eerie looking footpath shrouded in mist, fallen leaves and leafless trees
Did someone say 'Spooky Season'? π±
π· Jamie Fielding Photography
π Blackdown
#SouthDowns #SpookySeason
Two bucks and a doe graze on grassland on a dewy morning
Is that September done with, really?
As we turn to October, it's time to break out the heavy sweaters (if you haven't already), get the hot chocolate in and fully embrace the season.
π· Michael Harris
π Petworth Park
*JOB ALERT*
Do you have a background in wildlife conservation, countryside management and working with the public and partners?
We're currently advertising for a new ranger to join our National Park team!
Closing date is 12 October!
Learn more π bit.ly/4nPHgBD
Sunrise over a coastline with the tide out, revealing rock pools and a wooden groyne
Visiting the coast?
Don't be caught out by the tide.
Always check the tide tables before venturing out π www.bbc.co.uk/weather/coast-and-sea/tide-tables
π· Paula Wilks
A cloud inversion over a valley with the sun rising above a hill in the distance.
One of the best things about Autumn? Catching a cloud inversion at first light.
π· Lloyd Lane
π Bury Hill
A sunrise over a misty valley with a river flowing through
A glorious Ouse Valley sunrise to kick-off the weekend.
π· Larry Van Howe
Mist rises on a nature reserve below a starry night sky
The season's upon us!
Dark Skies season that is!
Steve Geliot's shot of the mist rising below a starry sky at Castle Hill Nature Reserve is a reminder of the tranquil stillness the night can bring.
#EmbraceTheDarkness #SouthDowns
Get your entries in before 31 October π www.southdowns.gov.uk/three-cheers...
25.09.2025 04:00 β π 4 π 1 π¬ 0 π 0
A sunken lane with fallen brown leaves on the path and yellow-brownish leaves on the trees above
There's a little over a month to go to get your entries into the 2025/26 South Downs Photo Competition.
Our judges are looking for beautiful images not only of well-known icons but also unexpected aspects of the Park, not typically seen.
π· Ian Brierley
π Wolstonbury Hill
A tree tunnel of fallen brown leaves and yellowing leaves on the trees
Who are you calling 'Autumn obsessed'?
β
π· Jamie Fielding
π Halnaker Holloway, Chichesterβ
An autumnal woodland of brown leaves and dappled light
Sometimes all you need is a walk in the woods to clear your head.
β β
With more woodland than any other National Park in England or Wales, there are plenty of tree-covered trails to escape to in the South Downs.
π· Sam Moore
π Alice Holt
#SouthDowns #AutumnVibes
Made in the UK, theyβre Β£5 each or 2 for Β£8 (incl. p&p).
Buy online π www.southdowns.gov.uk/national-par... or at the South Downs Visitor Centre, Midhurst.
Questions? Call 01730 814810
Three South Downs 'Zip Buddy's, a branded or custom-designed accessory that clips onto a zipper pull, serving as a promotional item. One features a blue butterfly, another an orchid.
Turn boring zips into zippity doo dah ones! πΌπ¦
South Downs Zip Buddies are here β choose from a Pyramidal Orchid or Adonis Blue butterfly. Easy to attach, they brighten up jackets, rucksacks, camera cases β and even replace broken zip pullers.
A view of the iconic white cliffs of Seven Sisters taken on a misty and cloudy day
Heading to the coast to enjoy the cliffs? Remember to keep your visit safe and sound.β
β
Cliff falls happen completely at random. Enjoy the views, but please do so well away from the edge and base of the cliffs.β
β
πβ
β
π· Tom Hoppe
#SevenSisters #BeCliffAware
The theme is 'Three Cheers for 15 Years' in honour of the South Downs celebrating 10 years of official National Park status.
Submit your entry before Friday 31 October π www.southdowns.gov.uk/care-for/pho...
An autumnal looking scene of low light, cloudy skies, and spider webs visible on the grass in the morning dew
A perfectly seasoned shot of Petworth Park taken by Carrie Davidson.
Have your own snap of the South Downs? There's still time to enter this year's Photo Competition.
An aerial shot of an old hill fort - you can clearly see the markings of the fort and the wider landscape
St. Roche's hill in West Sussex rises to 206 metres and commands views across the coastal plain to the south and the Weald to the north.
β
The hill is famous for the Iron-Age hillfort on its summit called the Trundle (Old English: Tryndel, meaning "circle").
Sadly, Edward Thomas died on 9 April 1917, during the Battle of Arras, having been inadvertently inspired to enlist by Frost. β
β β
Did you know the American poet was a great friend of acclaimed South Downs poet Edward Thomas? β
β
Thomas, who lived near Steep in Hampshire, wrote 'The South Country', a beautiful ode to the landscape of the South Downs.
A golden field of wheat overlooking a slightly misty valley at first light
"Natureβs first green is gold,β β
Her hardest hue to hold.β β
Her early leafβs a flower;β β
But only so an hour.β β
Then leaf subsides to leaf.β β
So Eden sank to grief,β β
So dawn goes down to day.β β
Nothing gold can stay."β β
β β
- Robert Frost
π· Lorraine Heaysman
Info: The South Downs Centre will be closed on Thursday 25 September
The South Downs Centre will be closed during the all-staff event on Thursday 25 September from 9am until 4.30pm.
Please email info@southdowns.gov.uk if you have an urgent query, and we will endeavour to respond as soon as possible.
Thank you for your understanding.
A view of the white cliff of Beachy Head with the red and white Beachy Head lighthouse below it on some rocks in the water. There's a cloudy sky with the sun breaking through, illuminating the cliff in an orange glow
Beachy Head Lighthouse looking epic.
The lighthouse first became operational in October 1902.
During construction, a temporary cable car was installed to transport workers & materials from the cliff top to a platform adjacent to the lighthouse site.
π· Ania Woodgate
A tree-lined avenue of beech trees with their autumnal leaves of brown, yellow and orange
Beech trees are common across much of the South Downs.
They were one of the last tree species to make its way across the land bridge between Britain and Europe before it flooded 8,000 years ago to create the British Isles.
π· A.Beggs
π Hinton Ampner
A view of deer out in the field on a misty morning
Ready to rumble π¦
The Autumn deer rut is a fine spectacle if you're lucky enough to witness it.
If you choose to observe the rut, please keep your distance.
Try to stay atleast 100 metres away and never get between two bucks.
β β
π· Jamie Fielding
