Description:

Beacon Hill NNR is a prominent chalk hill at the western end of the South Downs. The reserve contains high quality chalk grassland, with small areas of scrub and woodland.

The NNR's rich downland flora is characterised by sheep's fescue grass, rock rose, scabious, yellow rattle, eyebrights and several species of orchid. Round-headed rampion, field fleawort and hairy-rock cress are also found on the site.

The woodland is mainly mature beech and hazel coppice, with ash found in gaps that have been created by 'windblow'.

Several butterfly species occur in the area, including chalk-hill blue, brown argus, silver-spotted skipper and Duke of Burgundy.