Turn boring zips into zippity doo dah ones! 🌼🦋 South Downs Zip Buddies are here – choose from a Pyramidal Orchid or Adonis Blue butterfly. Easy to attach, they brighten up jackets, rucksacks, camera cases – and even replace broken zip pullers.

Heading to the coast to enjoy the cliffs? Remember to keep your visit safe and sound.⠀ ⠀ Cliff falls happen completely at random. Enjoy the views, but please do so well away from the edge and base of the cliffs.⠀ ⠀ 👍⠀ ⠀ 📷 Tom Hoppe #SevenSisters #BeCliffAware

A perfectly seasoned shot of Petworth Park taken by Carrie Davidson. Have your own snap of the South Downs? There's still time to enter this year's Photo Competition.

St. Roche's hill in West Sussex rises to 206 metres and commands views across the coastal plain to the south and the Weald to the north. ⠀ The hill is famous for the Iron-Age hillfort on its summit called the Trundle (Old English: Tryndel, meaning "circle").

"Nature’s first green is gold,⠀⠀ Her hardest hue to hold.⠀⠀ Her early leaf’s a flower;⠀⠀ But only so an hour.⠀⠀ Then leaf subsides to leaf.⠀⠀ So Eden sank to grief,⠀⠀ So dawn goes down to day.⠀⠀ Nothing gold can stay."⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ - Robert Frost 📷 Lorraine Heaysman

The South Downs Centre will be closed during the all-staff event on Thursday 25 September from 9am until 4.30pm. Please email [email protected] if you have an urgent query, and we will endeavour to respond as soon as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Beachy Head Lighthouse looking epic. The lighthouse first became operational in October 1902. During construction, a temporary cable car was installed to transport workers & materials from the cliff top to a platform adjacent to the lighthouse site. 📷 Ania Woodgate

Beech trees are common across much of the South Downs. They were one of the last tree species to make its way across the land bridge between Britain and Europe before it flooded 8,000 years ago to create the British Isles. 📷 A.Beggs 📍 Hinton Ampner

Ready to rumble 🦌 The Autumn deer rut is a fine spectacle if you're lucky enough to witness it. If you choose to observe the rut, please keep your distance. Try to stay atleast 100 metres away and never get between two bucks. ⠀⠀ 📷 Jamie Fielding

Here's a bit of golden hour inspiration to get your Monday started. 📷 Tim Kahane 📍 Amberley

Scenes like this are just around the corner. 📷 Christopher Pearson 📍 Rowlands Castle

"Sometimes your feet are weary, Sometimes the way is long, Sometimes the day is dreary, Sometimes the world goes wrong; But if you let your voices ring, Your care will fly away, So we'll sing a song as we march along, Of Sussex by the Sea." 📷 Stephen Yates 📍 Seven Sisters

Today, we're making a renewed call to action to improve the health of our rivers, streams and seas. The “Water In The Park” report is the first of its kind for the National Park and shines a stark spotlight on the state of waterways across the South Downs region.

The tree-lined path as part of the Boxgrove-Halnaker Windmill Trail offers the perfect snapshot for those seeking to capture the changing of the seasons. 📷 Dru Shearn

And just like that, nightjars depart, heading south to overwinter in Central Africa. Their migration back to warmer climes signifies the end of summer and the beginning of Autumn. 📷 Graham Osbourne

The new season officially drops in under a fortnight. Are you ready? 📷 Sam Moore 📍 Friston Forest

Heather isn't just a pretty sight, you know? Late-blooming, heather provides pollinators with pollen and nectar long after other plants have retired for the winter. 📷 John Dominick 📍 Lord's Piece

Leaves turn. Air cools. Benches call. It's officially Autumn Bench Season. 📷 Sean Evison

What the sign says ⤵️

Birds take flight over Lancing Ring. Like many other 'rings' along the South Downs, Lancing lost most of its beech trees in the storm of 1987. New trees have been planted since 2012 as part of the late Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee. 📷 Connor Harte

Halnaker tree tunnel — perfect in every season. 📷 Graham Smith

In 2022, to mark 50 years of the South Downs Way National Trail, special commemorative plaques were produced for the 66 parishes along the 100-mile route. Next time you're walking along the trail, keep your eyes peeled for them. 📷 Justin Carrick #SouthDownsWay

Coppicing is a form of woodland management dating back to the Stone Age. 📷 Anne Purkiss

Training local teachers to become outdoor leaders, a citizen science project to monitor river pollution and new educational boards are among the exciting projects to benefit from the Sustainable Communities Fund (SCF). Find out more 👉 www.southdowns.gov.uk/national-par...

Did you know the South Downs National Park is one of only a handful of places in the world recognised as an International Dark Sky Reserve? That means it’s one of the best places in the UK to stargaze. 📷 Jaime Birdbrook 📍 Belle Tout

Ready to hit some trails this September? Inclusive equipment is available for hire from a host of different venues across the South Downs. Find your nearest venue 👉 www.southdowns.gov.uk/all-abilitie...

Heritage Open Days are taking place across the UK from 12 to 21 September and many venues will be offering free entry. Here are some of the Heritage Open Days taking place across the South Downs this September 👉 www.southdowns.gov.uk/heritage-ope...

🚨 SAVE THE DATE Tickets for the Autumn series of South Downs Archaeology Walks go live on Monday 8 September. The walks will once again be led by local historian and archaeologist James Sainsbury, taking in Highdown Hill, Firle Beacon and Cissbury Ring. 📷 James Ratchford

Tongue Out Tuesday! Summer might be in retreat but there are still plenty of grazers out in the Downs. If out with your dog, please keep them on the lead if you come across a few of our 'cheekier' residents. Thank you 🙏 📷 Will Scholes #SouthDowns #TakeTheLead

We're seeking an Assistant Ranger to join our Western Downs team. This is a fantastic entry-level role for anyone looking to kick-start a career in conservation or landscape management. Interested? Apply before 14 September 👉https://bit.ly/4mmo7XE

September in the Downs. Misty mornings, golden evenings and still enough sun to keep the summer tan going for a few extra days. 📷 Anita Gellatly 📍 Beacon Hill

With the longer days beginning to wane, be sure to soak up every beautiful moment you can. 📷 Chester Tugwell 📍 Blackdown

With an almost 6ft wingspan, red kites can be imposing figures when flying overhead. They are a powerful symbol of resilience after a dramatic turnaround in their fortunes thanks to efforts by conservationists to bring the species back from the brink. 📷 Kirsty Hunter

Out with the South Downs NP volunteers today cutting some of the more lush vegetation on part of Long Burgh near Alfriston @southdownsnp.bsky.social . That chalk grassland vegetation will be cut later in the season.

'Tis the season of the twirly flowers. Lovely to see but signal the start of autumn for me Autumn Lady's Tresses #SouthDowns #orchids @sussexwildlife.bsky.social @southdownsnp.bsky.social @ukorchids.bsky.social

Vegetated shingle beaches are incredibly rare. Outside of northwest Europe, they can only be found in New Zealand and Japan. The plants growing within the shingle are highly specialist, having adapted to cope with the harsh environment. #SouthDowns #SevenSisters

This Saturday we have a great walk along the @southdownsnp.bsky.social all welcome join us! www.metropolitan-walkers.org.uk #ramblersuk #hiking #walking #hassocks #lewes #southdownsnationalpark #jackandjill #lewescastle

We can relate. 📷 Mark Sparshott

The Chapel Common heather isn't ready to let go of its summer dress. 📷 Jeff Travis

Let's hear it for our farmers who have faced off against the elements these past few weeks to harvest their yield. 📷 Julia Beuzeval 📍 Steep Down, Lancing

Do you have a passion for storytelling, creativity, and all things digital? We're looking for a Digital and Social Media Officer to help us share the beauty, wildlife, and communities of the South Downs with the world.

Next year is a special anniversary... ...10 years of International Dark Sky Reserve status. We'll be celebrating in style at our Dark Skies Festival in February. 📷 Richard Murray 📍 St. Hubert's, Idsworth

Fields of gold. 📷 Matthew Gibson 📍 Firle

Are you Bank Holiday weekend ready? If you're out enjoying the National Park, please: 🐕🦺 Keep dogs on the lead, especially near grazing animals 🚮 Take your litter home, or bag it and bin it 💚 Respect others enjoying the Park Enjoy! 📷 Anita Gellatly 📍 Treyford Down

'Three cheers for 15 years!' That's the theme for this year's South Downs Photo Competition. 📷 James Ratchford 📍 Close to Balmer Farm, Lewes

Gorgeous day on Cissbury Ring, breeze, wildflowers, butterflies, swallows and martins swooping over the lower slopes, white chalk paths - #Ravillious country. #westsussex @southdownsnp.bsky.social @sussexwildlife.bsky.social

Looking for school holiday fun with the kids? Pop into the South Downs Centre, Midhurst (North Street – look for the blue flag!) for top tips on walks, cycle rides, museums and free, family-friendly adventures across the National Park.

The newest section of the Centurion Way is now open! Cyclists and community leaders gathered yesterday to try out the new section, which has extended northwards from West Dean to Cucumber Farm, going past the former Singleton station. 👉 bit.ly/CenturionWay...

Corn bunting, skylarks, buzzards and red kites ⬆️ Yellowhammer, linnet and meadow pipit ⬇️ "The data suggests that some species are on the decline in the region and the reasons for this are complex...It underlines the need for more habitat management."

A very satisfying task today with the @southdownsnp.bsky.social volunteers - re-uncovering some steps near Beachy Head and maintaining one of the popular footpaths #EastbourneDownland