Chailey Common is one of the largest areas of common land in Southern England and includes Red House Common, Memorial Common, Romany Ridge Common, Pound Common and Lane End Commons.

Designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest in 1954, due to the extent and quality of heathland plant communities, the citation makes no mention of some of the most interesting freshwater species present on the site, including Fairy Shrimp Chirocephalus diaphanus, Pond Mud Snail Omphiscola glabra, and Great Crested Newt Triturus cristatus.

The Chailey Commons Society and their excellent team of volunteers carry out conservation work and ecological surveys of the site as directed by the Chailey Common LNR Management Committee. Flagship Pond funding will enable them to create new pond habitat and undertake more of the much needed scrub and tree management work needed to maintain the Commons’ unique habitats.

Location: East Sussex

Accessibility: Some Flagship Pond sites are accessible to the public, and some are not. If in doubt, consult maps for rights of way, look online for site information, or contact the site manager, and follow any instructions on site. It is up to you to check whether you require permission to visit and access the ponds on a site.

Site owners/managers: Chailey Common LNR Management Committee