In 2016 the South Downs National Park was granted International Dark Sky Reserve status, making it one of the best places in the country to view the night sky. Today, there are only 16 such Reserves in the world.
The South Downs National Park is home to a number of globally important habitats, including lowland heath, described as rarer than rainforest.
Woolmer Forest, a lowland heath site, is the only place in the country to have all 12 of the UK’s native amphibian and reptile species.
The South Downs is home to a number of rare species, including the Adonis blue butterfly that thrives in chalk grassland.
It is thought that the chalk ridgeline of the South Downs Way has been used by people for more than 6000 years.
