| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
 | |
| Location | East Sussex |
|---|---|
| Grid reference | TQ 544 030 |
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 209.8 hectares (518 acres) |
| Notification | 1986 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Wilmington Downs is a 209.8-hectare (518-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest north-west of Eastbourne in East Sussex. The site includes a Scheduled Monument, the Long Man of Wilmington, a turf cut figure which may be of prehistoric origin.
This site is mainly chalk grassland on the steep slope of the South Downs. It is important for invertebrates, including two protected under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981, the wart-biter grasshopper and the snail Monacha cartusiana. There are also several unusual species of lichens and mosses.
References
- ^ "Designated Sites View: Wilmington Downs". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
- "Map of Wilmington Downs". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
- Historic England. "A turf-cut hill figure known as The Long Man of Wilmington, 914m south-east of Acorn Barn (1002293)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
- "Wilmington Downs citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
50°48′22″N 0°11′24″E / 50.806°N 0.190°E / 50.806; 0.190
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