Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve
Explore Europe's finest ancient yew forest and discover Bronze Age history with breathtaking views over the South Downs.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, peaceful atmosphere
Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve
Best Time
Fewer crowds, peaceful atmosphere
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Explore Europe's finest ancient yew forest and discover Bronze Age history with breathtaking views over the South Downs.
"Astonishing place! You feel there like in a fairy tale. One thousand years old trees take you to another world."
🚗 Arrive Early for Parking
The car park fills up quickly, especially on weekends. Aim to arrive early to secure a spot.
👟 Wear Sturdy Footwear
Paths can be steep and uneven, particularly in the yew forest. Good walking shoes are essential.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Ancient Yew Forest
Kingley Vale
Walk among Europe's finest ancient yew trees, some up to 2,000 years old. A truly humbling and magical experience.
Panoramic Views
Chalk Downs
Ascend to the chalk downs for breathtaking views over Chichester, the harbour, and out to sea on a clear day.
Bronze Age Burial Mounds
Upper Reserve
Discover ancient history with well-preserved Bronze Age burial mounds scattered across the reserve.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Timing is Everything
Trail Navigation
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚗 Arrive Early for Parking
The car park fills up quickly, especially on weekends. Aim to arrive early to secure a spot.
👟 Wear Sturdy Footwear
Paths can be steep and uneven, particularly in the yew forest. Good walking shoes are essential.
🌳 Little Cover, Pack Accordingly
There's minimal shelter. Bring rain gear if the forecast is wet and sun protection for sunny days.
🐕 Dogs Welcome (on lead)
Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome, with designated paths around the woods.
Tips
from all over the internet
🚗 Arrive Early for Parking
The car park fills up quickly, especially on weekends. Aim to arrive early to secure a spot.
👟 Wear Sturdy Footwear
Paths can be steep and uneven, particularly in the yew forest. Good walking shoes are essential.
🌳 Little Cover, Pack Accordingly
There's minimal shelter. Bring rain gear if the forecast is wet and sun protection for sunny days.
🐕 Dogs Welcome (on lead)
Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome, with designated paths around the woods.
📸 Capture the Magic
The ancient yews and stunning views offer incredible photo opportunities. 
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise Kingley Vale for its breathtaking ancient yew forest and stunning panoramic views from the chalk downs. The unique, almost mystical atmosphere of the old trees is a major highlight, offering a humbling and magical experience. While the car park can get busy and the trails within the yew woods are less defined, the overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, with many recommending it as a must-visit for nature lovers and history buffs.
"A pleasant walk, with a well marked track up from the car park to the start of the trail. It's 3/4 of a mile to the area and there is no cover if it's wet. There's a welcome seat at the start of the trail and a museum hit that gives you some interesting information. The path to the ancient Yews is well marked until you are on that part of the wood. You are left to work out the route through the area."
Matthew Johnston
"A breath taking nature reserve, in every sense, the views above Chichester & seeing the sea at Bognor are a delight, plus it is 676 feet above sea level with a steep incline
The path from the car park to nature reserve is a few minutes away, no bikes through the woods, but they have their own pathway around it, perfect for walking (with dogs)
For a decent spot in the carpark, best get there early as it fills up quickly"
Jonathan Hinton
"Getting young ones to enjoy long hikes can be hard at times,
This places offers the elements of magic and fascination keeping everyone engaged and enjoying what nature has to offer.
Picking blackberries along the top of mountings.
Seeing the beautiful Yew Trees with no middle but still alive.
Looking at the view at the very top! S
Who wouldn't enjoy walking up horrendous steep steps to get up the top. 🤣"
Lollie williams
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Kingley Vale is located north of Chichester in West Sussex. The most common access point is via the car park off the B2146 road. It's accessible by car, and some guided eBike tours also operate in the area.
Yes, there is a car park available. However, it is quite small and can fill up very quickly, especially on weekends and during peak times. Arriving early is highly recommended.
Public transport options are limited. While buses may run to nearby villages, walking or cycling from Chichester might be necessary, or consider a guided tour that includes transport.
Cycling is permitted on designated paths around the reserve, but not through the ancient yew woods themselves. E-bike tours are a popular way to explore the area.
Many visitors enjoy a combination of walking and exploring the ancient yew forest, with options to hike up to the chalk downs for panoramic views. Guided e-bike tours offer a structured way to see the reserve.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve is free to enter. There are no admission fees for general access.
As a nature reserve, Kingley Vale is generally accessible during daylight hours. There are no set opening or closing times, but it's best to visit during safe daylight periods.
Entry to Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve is free for all visitors.
Yes, several companies offer guided e-bike and walking tours of Kingley Vale, which are highly rated and provide an excellent way to learn about the reserve's history and ecology.
While generally open, it's advisable to check for any temporary access restrictions due to weather or conservation work. Dogs must be kept on a lead.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
Kingley Vale is famous for its ancient yew forest, some of the oldest in Europe. You'll also find Bronze Age burial mounds, diverse wildlife, and stunning views from the chalk downs.
A walk to the ancient yews from the car park is about 3/4 of a mile. Exploring the wider reserve and climbing to the viewpoints can take 2-3 hours or more, depending on your pace.
The main path from the car park is well-marked. However, within the ancient yew forest, the paths can be less defined, requiring some exploration.
Yes, the 'magic and fascination' of the ancient trees and the views can keep children engaged. Picking blackberries and exploring can be fun activities.
Visitors have reported seeing herons, fallow deer, buzzards, peregrine falcons, and various fungi and lichen species.
📸 📸 Photography
The ancient yew trees themselves, with their gnarled branches and unique shapes, are prime subjects. The panoramic views from the chalk downs also offer spectacular photo opportunities.
Early mornings or late afternoons can offer beautiful light for photographing the yew forest. Clear, sunny days are best for capturing the expansive views from the downs.
There are no specific mentions of drone usage in the provided content. It's always best to check local regulations or with the reserve management before flying drones in protected natural areas.
A wide-angle lens is great for capturing the scale of the yew forest and the expansive views. A telephoto lens can be useful for wildlife spotting.
Yes, you can photograph the Bronze Age burial mounds. Please be respectful of the historical significance of these sites.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Consider packing snacks and drinks, as facilities are limited. The reserve is also a great place for kids to learn about nature and history, from the ancient trees to the Bronze Age burial mounds. 🚶♀️ Hikers and Nature Enthusiasts
+1 Nature enthusiasts will appreciate the reserve's status as a biological Site of Special Scientific Interest and Special Area of Conservation, boasting diverse flora and fauna, including rare fungi and lichen. 📸 Photographers
+1 The dramatic landscapes of the chalk downs provide stunning backdrops for panoramic and landscape photography. Keep an eye out for wildlife, as opportunities for nature photography are also present. Remember to bring appropriate gear for varied conditions and potentially challenging light within the forest. Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Ancient Yew Forest
+1 Walking among these venerable giants is a truly humbling experience, offering a profound connection to nature and history. The forest floor is often carpeted with moss and fallen needles, adding to the ancient ambiance. While the main path from the car park is clear, navigating within the yew forest can be more of an adventure, with less defined trails. This allows for a more personal exploration, but sturdy footwear is recommended. The unique structure of the yew trees, often hollow in the center yet still thriving, is a testament to their resilience and age.
Exploring the Chalk Downs and Views
On a clear day, you can see as far as the Isle of Wight. The open landscape of the downs contrasts sharply with the enclosed, ancient woodland, providing a diverse walking experience. These higher areas are also home to Bronze Age burial mounds, remnants of human activity dating back thousands of years. Exploring these historical sites adds another layer of discovery to your visit. The trails on the downs are generally more open and well-trodden, making them accessible for most walkers. The combination of ancient woodland, historical sites, and sweeping views makes Kingley Vale a multifaceted destination for nature lovers and history buffs alike.
Accessibility and E-Bike Tours
+2These tours often cater to various fitness levels and offer a unique perspective on the reserve. They can help visitors cover more ground and access viewpoints they might otherwise miss. The e-bikes allow riders to navigate the inclines with ease, making the stunning scenery and ancient forests accessible to a wider range of people.
+1 Many tours also incorporate walking segments, allowing for a deeper immersion in the yew forest. 
Social
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