Landscape of the High Weald, in St. Leonard's Forest, east of Horsham, West Sussex.

Commentary.

 

Between the North and South Downs

was a heavily wooded area, named by the Saxons, “Walden.”

It had been like this from well before the invasion of the Romans.

It is now known as the Weald, in Surrey, Sussex and Kent.

Over twenty centuries at least 70% of this forest

has been cleared for agriculture and settlements.

But with nearly 30% remaining, it is still

one of the most wooded areas of England.

The High Weald, like a central spine, east to west,

is made up of alternating clay vales and Lower Greensand sandstone ridges.

In this Spring-time image, we can see the typical landscape.

Heathland of heather and fern.

Mostly deciduous woodland in the clay vales.

A domination of coniferous forest on the drier,

less fertile, and leached sandy soils of the higher ridges.

Silver Birch, one of only two truly native trees,

seems to be anywhere and everywhere.

The High Weald provides hundreds of miles of

splendid walking, horse-riding and cycling country.

Now, in spring, the Gorse and Broom

are beginning to flower, giving a golden frame,

to the increasingly green mantle.

I regularly walk and cycle this environment.

A great place to be for mind, body and soul.

 

Done