Post-event Update

Our Explore by Yourself leaflet, created for the 2025 Day of Discovery, offers a glimpse into the life of the Copse. Designed to be printed double-sided on A4 and folded to A5, its centre hopes to pique your interest in trees, other plants, flying creatures and ponds, to "encourage you to dawdle, to listen, to touch, to smell, to look more closely, and to wonder at the life of the Copse and how it all fits together". There's an indicative map of the Copse, although this is based on one used in 2005 and doesn't capture "new" paths that have been worn from modern use rather than design. Front and back covers give context, including a potted history of how humans have helped to shape what we see today. A pdf copy of the leaflet can be downloaded here.

Additional activities may be added to our Programme as the day approaches. We will identify these clearly above. If you would like to be involved in some way, please get in touch.

Return to Programme.

Return to Programme.

Return to Programme.

Return to Programme.

Return to Programme.

UPDATE (13th June 2025): this activity will now take place at Willow Pond (the pond nearest the western entrance, 3, on the Map). It was previously intended to take place at Brandy Hole Pond, near the Bristol Gardens entrance.

As a result of the unusually dry Spring, water levels throughout the Copse and its 3 formal ponds are extremely low. Our activity will now take place at Willow Pond, where the gently sloping sides allow access all way round. We will look for ourselves at what lives in and around the pond and learn what it tells us about the pond itself. Who are the “baddies”? How can we help the “goodies”? What tells us if the balance is right? We will explore how the characteristics of the pond impact the wildlife we find.

This activity is deliberately timed for the after-school before-dinner slot and suitable for all ages from 4 years upwards. Accompanied children are particularly welcome (parental/adult supervision required). Equipment will be provided. Please dress for the weather. Note that we will provide antibacterial gel and wipes/soap and water to use for hands after the activity, or bring your own if you would rather.

If arriving on foot from the east of The Copse, there are some irregular steps on the earth banks of the Scheduled Monument on your way, and a long-fallen tree to duck under.

Activity leader: Oliver Gammon, Chichester District Council

Return to Programme.

Take a walk with Oliver, who has been getting to know the Copse for the last few years. Learn how it is managed for nature conservation, spot the evidence around you and share in our aspirations for what happens next. All whilst enjoying the sights, sounds and smells of nature getting ready to turn in, or waking up for, the night. Introduction from 7pm; about an hour’s walk, and the chance to chat at the end.

Please bring binoculars, if you have them, and wear stout footwear suitable for uneven terrain that may be muddy, and long trousers to protect legs from scratches and ticks as there may be some brushing through undergrowth. Although it will be only just be past the longest day of the year, light levels drop more quickly in tree shade – consider if you may need a torch to help you get home.

Route includes the reasonably steep slopes of the Scheduled Monument.

Guide:               Oliver Gammon, Chichester District Council

Return to Programme.

 Sophie has immersed herself in trees and communities in recent years, as Chichester District Council’s Tree Project Officer, encouraging people to conceive and deliver tree planting projects. This walk explores the western part of the Copse, its two ponds and sweet chestnut coppice. By avoiding the Ups and Downs of the Scheduled Monument, we hope our route will be accessible to all – it’s reasonably flat, although paths are unmade and can range from firm to boggy dependent on rainfall/groundwater levels over time. Enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of the nature around you and learn what life happens here. Introduction from 7pm; about an hour’s walk, and the chance to chat at the end.

Please let us know if you use mobility aids and we will check entrance widths, paths, etc to reassure that this Walk suits. We are keeping our fingers crossed for fine weather and will post an update on ground conditions at the start of the week.

Guide:               Sophie Hamnett, Chichester District Council

Return to Programme.

Back to Top.

One of our volunteers has created a Google MyMap to show the meet points and most likely entrances that you may choose to use. To help you get to where you need to be for each activity, we also describe/illustrate some of the conditions you may encounter. The points marked by a red hiking figure are:

1. Country Park car park

This is the meeting point for our Bird Life around the Copse walk.
Built as part of the first phase of development at Minerva Heights, StreetView shows the entrance to this car park under construction in July 2021: https://maps.app.goo.gl/AraYi9Nc3EhToYfw9 . Access to the Copse is by crossing the Old Broyle Road either at the Old Broyle Road gateway into the Copse, or at the uncontrolled crossing point by the roundabout (near Drovers Lane) and then through informal paths on the adjoining fields. The car park has a height restrictor bar at the entrance; parking is free.
For anyone wishing to explore the wider area, it links to a circular walk around the development to the south and west, including a boardwalk and wetland area off Newlands Lane.

Approximate What3Words location for car park entrance ruler.fairly.perplexed .

2. Old Broyle Road gateway

Nearest entrance to Copse from Old Broyle Road car park. No dropped kerb on west side; unmade paths in Copse. Pedestrian access not checked for mobility scooter accessibility.
See https://maps.app.goo.gl/217hPjVuK4xsDTYj8 for StreetView.

3. Brandy Hole Lane on-road parking

Western entrance to Copse with limited on-road parking (uneven surface, can get busy). Pedestrian access believed suitable for mobility scooters, subject to ground conditions: paths in the Copse are unmade and can get muddy/boggy. Be aware of steep banks (Iron Age earthworks, now Scheduled Monument) which may restrict accessibility to eastern sections of the Copse from here for some visitors.
See https://maps.app.goo.gl/goAF24cK4kambbNGA for Streetview.

Approximate What3Words location resides.sensitive.swing .

There is a cycle rack just inside the Copse (no cycling permitted through the Copse).

4. Centurion Way entrance to Brandy Hole Copse

Our Day of Discovery base ("greet point") from circa 10am to 5pm, this is the What3Words location in the Festival of Chichester brochure: https://what3words.com/toward.grew.natively .
Accessed by foot or cycle only, both along Centurion Way, or from the easternmost entrance on Brandy Hole Lane (point 5 on this Map) or through the Copse from other access points on foot (unmade paths, steep banks of Iron Age earthworks, now Scheduled Monument).

5. Brandy Hole Lane eastern entrance to the Copse

This is a foot/cycle entrance by Brandy Hole Pond. Brandy Hole Lane at this point is narrow and the footway approach is simply marked by a white line rather than a raised pavement. Level access. There is no space for on-street parking.

See https://maps.app.goo.gl/2z4YQ6ZdGi3iSgM5A for StreetView.

This is the only part of the Copse where cycling is permitted. The shared cycle/foot path runs from here up to (and along) Centurion Way.

6. Bristol Gardens entrance

This is a pedestrian entrance by Brandy Hole Pond. A gateway arrangement of metal bars combined with an uneven and quite steeply sloping pathway down the inner bank of the Scheduled Monument make it unsuitable for mobility scooters/wheelchairs.
See https://maps.app.goo.gl/dhzv9bm9V7Xni2Pe6 for StreetView.

Back to Top.

Back to Top.